Southwest’s best amateur men's golfers were challenged by East Devon last week.
East Devon Golf Club played proud host to the Centenary South Western Counties Golf Association (SWGCA) golf week recently.
Six days of fiery competition took place from June 8 to June 14, with championship titles and trophies up for grabs.
The event saw top amateur men golfers from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Dorset compete in a variety of match play and stroke play competitions.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the SWGCA and the celebrations began with a celebratory dinner on the first day.
England Golf presented the SWGCA with a memento of the achievement.
The SWGCA presented Centenary Plaques to England Golf and East Devon Golf Club.
Some of the distinguished guests included England Golf CEO, Jeremy Tomlinson, SWGCA president, Geoff Green, EDGC club captain, Bill Gott, and England Golf president, Ian Watkins.
Over five days, the Inter-Counties Match Play Shield was fiercely fought on the immaculate East Devon course amid mostly sunny but cold weather.
The golfers enjoyed the challenge and saw three holes in one during the week.
Devon took full advantage of being on a home course and won all their matches to take the Match Play Shield from Wiltshire, who finished second.
The successful DevonGolf team with president Pam St Clement and captain Sam Dunn holding the Match Play Shield (Image: East Devon Golf Club)
This made Devon the winner at both ends of the Centenary, having won the first Inter-Counties week in 1924 at Royal North Devon Golf Club.
Jay Scott of Tiverton Golf Club was the winner of the Clifford Burden Trophy for the most match wins in the week.
The South West Amateur Championships took centre stage on Tuesday with two rounds of individual stroke play.
Rob MacGregor of Cornwall, took the honours in the morning with a fine 68 two under par, one shot ahead of Gloucestershire's Nick Day.
Nick Day (Image: East Devon Golf Club)
Nick went on to card a 68 for his second round to give him a 3 under par total of 137 and the Amateur Championship.
A very worthy Champion and the only player to finish under par for the Championship.
The England Golf County Qualifier saw last year’s victors, Gloucestershire, invigorate themselves after being eight shots down in the first round to Cornwall.
Displaying admirable resilience, Gloucestershire managed an unexpected comeback by winning the entire contest by an eight-shot margin.
After the event, SWGCA president, Geoff Green said: "Thank you to everyone at East Devon Golf Club for making this a wonderful week.
"To the members for giving up their fine course for the week; the volunteers, marshals, referees and starters for taking the time and effort to help the games move along smoothly.
"Paul Newcombe and his great team of greenkeepers for presenting a fantastic course; and to the bar and catering team in Restaurant 19 for doing a great job of keeping everyone fed and watered.”
East Devon Club captain, Bill Gott said: "We have loved hosting this week and have been impressed by the spirit in which the matches have been played, friendly and respectful while still competitive.
"You have graced our links with your play."
Winning Devon captain, Sam Dunn said: “Thanks to everyone involved in the Counties for helping their teams this week.
"To the East Devon members for giving up their Club for the week and special thanks to Paul Newcombe for his extensive knowledge and advice on how to play the course.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here