RND Vets Match (1st September 2025) away against Great Torrington GC

This year’s first day of meteorological autumn was marked by storm-ridden skies and disease-ridden golfers! Deluges of rain fell as ‘waves’ of emails pinged (in my inbox) indicating sickness amongst our normally stalwart RND vets. With reservists Graham White & Bill McMullen mobilised; a mustered team of 11 intrepid players journeyed upstream, the River Torridge, to Great Torrington. 

As circumstances would have; a player from the host’s team was, unexpectedly, no longer able to play due to failure (rainwater in the electrics?) of his necessary golf-buggy. A short delay allowed reorganisation of the teams and, what proved to be, almost the last of the rain to pass. With the morning’s chaos resolved; 5 pairs and a single took up ‘arms’ and the match started. 

The 9 hole tree-lined, hillside course offered up many new challenges particularly for those more familiar with the open landscape of the Northam Burrows? More disciplined ‘driving’, accurate ‘chipping’ and confident firm ‘putting’ on luscious, subtle greens was demanded. To the RND players’ credit; little separated the majority of the matches after the first 9 holes. Hope that ‘second time around’ would allow for learned experiences was soon abandoned with clever alternative tee positions creating contrasting approaches to the same green! Home advantage, as with the sun,  began to shine through with Great Torrington pulling ahead in several matches (Peter A. Jeffrey & Bill McMullen, David Williams & Graham White, Bill Greetham & Ron Juniper). Some, however, had to be decided on the penultimate(Chris Buxton & Michael Saunders, Dave Birch-in the singles match ) or final hole (Alan Coles & Simon Hopkins).

Convivial hospitality was accompanied by plentiful, delicious food. Thanks were extended to the green keepers, caterers and our hosts. Peter A Jeffrey achieved ‘nearest the pin’.

Oh, incidentally, the result; RND lost 0:6 ! Or 4:8 overall, though probably best not to dwell on this?

Michael Saunders  (Match Captain) 

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