AS the days lengthen and the sun shines, the range of golfing activities fills the calendar at Downes Crediton Golf Club. Many golfers play just for pleasure, a little exercise, and to enjoy the company of friends, usually followed by some refreshment or a bite to eat in the clubhouse.

It is encouraging to see the wide age range of our social golfers, from young teenagers right through the age groups, even including a few nonagenarians!

But in addition to social golf there are many competitions and matches throughout the week.

These vary from club based competitions, to friendly matches with other clubs, league and knock out tournaments, and even rounds of National competitions.

Downes Crediton Seniors recently played their annual home and away, matches against local rivals Tiverton.

Led by Seniors Captain, David Cousins, Crediton won the home leg 6-0 and halved the away leg 3-3 for an overall 9-3. Both matches were played in an exceptional spirit and thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part.

Staying with the Seniors events, the first round of the Emerton Court Knockout matches was played on Wednesday, May 7.

This event, organised by the Devon Men’s Veteran Golfers Association, its long history dates back to the first event in 1975.

It is a challenging tournament and Downes can take pride in being the trophy winners in 2022.

On this occasion, the first round was a home fixture against Boringdon Park, Downes coming out as winners by 3.5 to 1.5. The away match is yet to be played, but this was excellent start to this years series.

The Bank Holiday Texas Scramble on Saturday, May 3 drew a large field. Well done to the winning team of Gary Spragg, Sam Drewe, and Chris Drewe with a net 55 just pipping the team of Joshua Pring, Jamie Parsons and Matt Trenaman by a point.

The Midweek stableford on May 7 was won by Nigel Hoskins with 39 points and the Thursday evening Nine Hole Stableford was won by Andrew Smale.

The Ladies section had a very busy week.

Following the usual Tuesday competition, there was an Invitation Coffee, Cake and Golf day on Thursday, May 8.

More than 50 ladies representing 10 golf clubs came and thoroughly enjoyed the golf and the social occasion. There were many compliments about the course and the actual event.

The charity raffle on the day raised more than £200 for Hospiscare, the charity for those with life-limiting illnesses.

The previous day, Wednesday, May 7, saw the Downes team of Angela Storey and Shirley Stunell play the first round of the Doris Willes Little knock out trophy against Bigbury Golf Club at the Churston Golf Club.

It was a close game, with the Downes ladies clinching the match on the 18th. Well done and good luck for the next round.

To round off the week, on Friday, May 9, the ladies played a Devon League match against Dawlish Warren Golf Club and came out on top with a 4-2 win.

For this special week the Royal British Legion flag was featured on the 18th green.

The final event of the week, open to all, was the Chairman’s Cup and May Medal, which was won by Rohan Hardeman with a super round score, nett 62.