East Devon GC at the 2007 Palairet Memorial Trophy Finals Day, Saunton GC.
The weather was cold and windy, not at all what you'd hope for in August. However, on the day either side of Finals Day it rained heavily, so it could have been worse. In the morning East Devon was drawn against Fingle Glen (the eventual winners of the Trophy) and went down 3-2 with some closely fought matches. In the afternoon's 3rd / 4th place play off (never popular with the competitors for obvious reasons), East Devon was destined to play Padbrook Park. This time the 3-2 scoreline went in East Devon's favour. As you would expect, every player in every match gave total commitment and effort, and they should be congratulated for that, especially in such inclement weather. Tom Woodhouse, keen not to miss out, rushed back from Leeds where he had been competing in the British Mid-Amateur Championships. This demonstrates the desire all the team members feel. |
 |
 |
Gordon Benzie hitting a long iron an obscene distance - and straight! Tom & Gordon were to remain undefeated on the day, and they make a formidable pair to play against. |
Paul Newcombe drives at the 9th... |
 |
 |
 |
David Blick, not quite 15, playing his part in the East Devon team.  |
 |
Look out, the Scots have arrived! |
 |
 |
 |
Paul & Harry lining up a putt...  |
 |
 |
 |
Paul's tee-shot at the difficult long par-3 17th  |
Bruce keeping his head down at the short but tricky par-3 5th  |
Tom Woodhouse drives at the 9th...
 |
 |
In the afternoon, Leigh chips out of the rough at the back of a green and Paul sends the resulting putt on its way
 |
 |
|
|
Foursomes golf made to look easy...
David plays the tee-shot at the 13th...  |
Harry carresses a long putt down the slope...  |
...and David holes out for a par. Simple!  |
Two of East Devon's young guns: Matt Latham (putting) and Harry Nodwell (driving) |
 |
Young Leigh partnered Paul Newcombe in the afternoon match and gained much valuable experience from the stalwart Devon County Vice-Captain. Here he learns the percentage approach to a difficult chip shot...
 |
 |
...and then drives on the 14th with Paul's sound advice still ringing in his ears. Paul & Leigh went on to win their match.
 |
 |
 |
| Jim Colvin plays a delicate chip on the 17th, leaving it close to the hole to give his partner, Bruce Chapman, a short putt to seal their match. If you want to play "spot the ball" then yes, the ball does actually appear in each of the four photos! No prizes for finding it though, sorry. |
|
Paul Webber has been a magnificent Team Captain for East Devon this year, calmly keeping everything under control, knowing when to put in a quiet word and when to leave his players to sort things out for themselves. That's a rare talent. All the team members have very much appreciated Paul's approach to the captaincy and, if he didn't already have it, he has earned their respect whilst building a very fine team spirit.
Club Captain, Mike Norman, as you would doubtless expect of him, has always been present to offer his support and encouragement to the team. Thank you Mike!
In spite of the inclement weather, the very early start, and the distance to Saunton (similar for all clubs involved in the Finals Day), a few hardy supporters did turn out to offer encouragement to the East Devon team, and the team's sincere thanks go to them. It was notable, however, that Fingle Glen's supporters very considerably outnumbered East Devon's, and East Devon's supporters certainly could not have mustered the enormous cheer that rang out when Fingle Glen's winning putt dropped on the final hole of the final match. East Devon has, in its younger members, the makings of a very good team that could very well reach many more Finals Days in the next few years. It would be great to see as much support as Fingle Glen had given to those who battle their way there to represent East Devon GC in this most highly regarded competition.