THURSDAY, January 25 saw Downes Crediton Golf Club Ladies play a better ball stableford over a shortened 11 holes that produced some fine scoring.

Liz Mapson and Doreen Warren took the victory with a superb seven under par 29 points.

Di Botterill and Penny Long scored 28 points to finish second whilst Marina Caston and Sue Bonner (28 points) took third.

Downes members turned out in force on Saturday, January 28, with 120 people taking part in the "Captains Drive In" and saying "thank you" to the outgoing 2017 Captains and welcome in the 2018 Captains.

In the competition, a Four Player Team Texas Scramble, Jason Arnold, John Dean, Matt Brooks and Mike White scored a tremendous 13 under par nett 57 to take the overall victory.

Jack Keehner, Tim Keehner, Neil Ford and Junior Captain Ashley Ford were second, scoring a nett 60. Pete Blinkhorn, Kate Cornish, Jeremy Thornton and Andrew Rogers (nett 60) took victory in the mixed section whilst the Ladies section was won by Liz Mapson, Doreen Warren, Fran Shrubsole and Lyn Parry scoring a nett 65 (eight under par).

After the golf last year’s Captains did their official "putted out" on the 18th green whilst incoming Captains Nick Murch (Club Captain), Sue Barr (Ladies Captain), Ian Pring (Seniors Captain) Ashley Ford (Junior captain) took part in their "Drive In" from the first tee with Ashley Ford producing a booming effort of more than 200 yards.

This was followed by a great "Captains Dinner" put on by Dave Wills Catering with a great atmosphere in the clubhouse throughout the afternoon.

During the proceedings 2017 Club Captain Alex Williams handed over a cheque for £2,855.50 to Chairperson Chris Neale from Honeylands Childrens Charity, Downes Crediton’s 2017 Captain’s charity.