WHEN this issue of the Crediton Courier is published we will be on the eve of the weekend of celebrations for the Downes Golf Club 50th Anniversary of the opening of the course.

Right from the beginning Downes has always been a Members Club, open to everyone, and not commercial business.

The voluntary commitment has been amazing, and the club is very proud of this.

It will be a time to look back and celebrate the past, to enjoy the present, and look forward to the future.

On June 13, 1974 the first tee shots were powered down the first fairway by Neil Coles and Tommy Horton, both Ryder Cup players, and the club was declared open.

We look forward to a special weekend of competition and celebration of all that has been achieved over those years.

Eager to enhance and improve the course the planning team and ground staff have been busy again. The first tee has undergone a makeover, in time for the 50th Celebrations.

New boundary fencing, new large planters filled with decorative plants and, soon to be installed, very attractive starters hut.

It will be a really good feature on the course, hopefully inspiring members, and visitors alike, to set the tone for a good round of golf with a ‘Sunday best’ drive from the 1st tee.

Also, new buggies have arrived just in time for the celebratory weekend, replacing the four previous long serving buggies.

They look quite a sight lined up in front of the clubhouse.

There were the usual competitions and lots of social golf this week, including a competition for the British and International Greenkeepers Association.

We hope they were suitably impressed with the course, which is looking really good after all the planning and hard work undertaken by our green staff.