LAST week we reported on an annual event that takes place at Downes Crediton Golf Club, namely the Captains Drive-in.

It is the first event of the new Golf season, as the old Captains leave their posts, and the new captains take over.

The Club captain for 2026/27 is Gerald Abdoll.

As he is taking this responsibility for Downes 50th year, Gerald thought he should introduce himself to members and friends, so has written a brief background to help us get to know him.

He said: “I’m Gerald Abdoll. I’m very honoured and pleased to serve you as the captain of Downes Crediton Golf Club for 2026/27, our 50th anniversary year. I would like to thank the committee for the trust they have placed in me.

“I qualified as a dentist in November 1990. I started playing the game we all love in the same year, because I was told at the time it would provide me with great networking opportunities with fellow colleagues and society as a whole.

“What they didn’t tell me at the time is how addictive the game was and how it would consume you.

“My family and I (wife, Maureen and son, Gary) moved to the UK after responding to a recruitment drive by the UK Health Department in South Africa at the time. I have been in dental practice in Devon for the past 23 years.

“I became a member of Downes Crediton in 2003/04. The club and the people of Crediton and surrounds made us feel welcome, and we soon became involved in various activities, most of which were determined by our son’s sporting exploits.

“He was a keen cricketer and squash player. So for a time golf took a back seat, but has always remained my sport of choice.

“Being a member of Downes Crediton for the last 23 years has given me an opportunity to relax during my downtime.

“Having such a hidden gem in such close proximity to where we live is a treat, and I hope that now that I’m semi-retired I will enjoy the challenge that it poses even more.

“I’m looking forward to my year as Captain and I hope I can count on your support and advice to assist me in fulfilling this role.

“I’m also of the opinion that celebrating our Club’s 50 anniversary can provide us a unique opportunity to create awareness in the local community, not only about the benefits of golf, but also about the fantastic facility they have on their doorstep.”

We all wish Gerald every success in this notable year for Downes.

So the new season began with last week‘s Drive-in, team competition consisting of a 4BBB with two scores to count, when 100 members took part.

As it was the start of the new golf season it would be fitting to record the winning team. The honours went to the team of Jason Hayman, Simon Grills, Scott Harris and Alan Drysdale.

They came in with a very creditable combined score of 89 points.

As the weather improves and the extensive work on the course begins to show its merits, the competition’s board begins to fill up and we look forward to many more opportunities to play this special game.

Mike Palmer