DOWNES Crediton Golf Club is indebted to the support given by the Crediton Courier over the year.

Most of our reports have covered activities on the course, the many and varied competitions and matches. We have also given coverage to the vital work that keeps the course open, in good condition and a pleasure to play.

So for this article it would be good to recognise another important activity that takes place at Downes Golf Club.

That is the pleasure of Social Golf. Friends playing together for fun, for friendship, the pure enjoyment of a little exercise, amiable conversation, and maybe a coffee or a glass of something after the round.

While the tee booking diary shows a very healthy and varied selection of competitions, it also shows the many tee bookings of friendship groups that regularly play each week.

One of the real pleasures of the game is a round of golf with friends. A regular meet up where the company is more important than the golf, though while it may be rewarding to have a good round, it isn’t the most important part of the occasion.

Following the endeavours on the course, there is usually a cup of coffee or tea to follow, perhaps a plate of chips. Alternatively a glass of something from the bar, it often depends on your taste, or the time of day.

Social golf has no age limits, there are regular rounds played by our teenage groups, our many student members from Exeter University.

There are social groups right through the ages, including one regular friendship group with a total age of well over 350!

These players all have their own personal buggies, and one wag at the club refers to them as the Panzer Division!

Well done to them, we all enjoy seeing them setting the pace on the course.

Another sight on the course is the solo golfer.

Not by any means as common as the friendship groups, but it is sometimes good to get out and have a practice on the course.

Only playing a maximum of two balls, and always keeping an eye on the group in front and behind it is a chance to try out your swing, a little bunker practice, a chip or two, and of course a few extra putts.

The game offers all ages many opportunities to practice, to enjoy some social golf or to play in a competitive game.

One of the rare events on our course, indeed any golf course anywhere, is a member achieving a hole in one.

They almost always happen on par 3’s, and it is a very satisfying feeling to see that little ball disappear into the hole from the tee.

It’s usually followed by congratulations all around, and the traditional round of drinks.

In large competitions that round can be very expensive, so an insurance policy to cover this is included in the membership fee.

Fortunately there are very few claims for this particular accolade. But very recently, one of our lady members achieved her second hole in one a little over two weeks.

On September 30 Lyn Parry had an ace on the 3rd hole, then repeated the feat on October 16 playing the 13th hole.

Very well done Lyn, we are pleased you had insurance!