SATURDAY, March 22 gave the Downes Crediton Golf Club members the opportunity to say farewell and thank you to their current Club Captain and Seniors Captain, and welcome and wish good luck to the new Club and Seniors Captains.

Peter Blinkhorn reports that a field of 100 competed in a four member team, two scores to count Stableford, with a Shotgun start.

The competition took place in glorious sunshine, which was a very welcome change, and probably accounted for the smiling faces on their way to the first tee.

At 9.30am, having enjoyed coffee and a bacon roll kindly provided by the incoming Captain, the events of the day began.

The outgoing Captain Andy Rogers was joined by former Double Captain Chet Greenslade, together with incoming Captain Gerald Abdoll and his Vice Darren Russell.

Similarly the outgoing Seniors Captain, David Cousins was joined by Richard Lloyd, the incoming Seniors Vice and members of the Seniors Committee.

Following the morning’s competition the existing Captains “Putt out” was the first handover.

Both captains putt across the 18th green using an old wooden putter, not an easy task after being so reliant on modern equipment, and being watched by fellow members.

This was then followed by the incoming Captains “Driving In” from the first tee. Whilst the Seniors Captain can use his own Driver, the incoming new Captain has to use a driving club presented to the Club in 1995. A very different club indeed, with probably half the head size of a 2026 Driver.

Again there is an audience watching with great interest, having had a small wager on the distance for the Captains charity.

The drives were a creditable 179 yards for Gerald, and 214 yards for Richard. We won’t mention the putting!

Gerald has been a member since 2003. He is of South African descent, and with his wife and son moved to the UK in the same year he joined Downes. Professionally he is a dentist based in North Tawton, although he is now semi-retired. There will be more about Gerald in the next edition.

The Captain traditionally chooses his Charity of the Year, and Gerald has chosen FORCE, the Cancer Charity based in Exeter, a cause very close to his heart.

To kick start his fund-raising members guess the distances of the Drive Ins and Putt Outs.

Whilst the fund-raising carries on throughout the year, his main thrust will be on his Charity Day on May 30, where he has promised many South African treats around the Course! He is also looking forward to promoting the Club in this the Golden Jubilee Year.

Unfortunately, the incoming Seniors Captain Jon Cornish was unable to make the Golf so his Vice Richard Lloyd did the Honours.

Jon has been a member for almost 30 years when his son and daughter, William and Kate, both showed an interest in taking the sport up, indeed Kate is still a member to this day.

He has served on the Board as Treasurer and has represented the Club in the Prestigious Seniors County event, the Emerton Court Trophy.

We all wish Gerald every success and thank Andy for representing the Club so well over the past 12 months. Let the new season begin!

Mike Palmer