Devon Features

Devon v Cornwall Wednesday 4th November 2009 Royal North Devon Golf Club Final Score Devon 9- 6 Cornwall	The Victorious Devon Team
Devon Team Chris Gill (Exeter) Paul Hendriksen (Fingle Glen) Barry Austin (Downes Crediton) Ashley Moon (Okehampton) Iain Parker (Royal North Devon) James Langmead (Stover) Nick Cook (Elfordleigh) Peter Mitchell (Thurlstone) Dan Wood (Holsworthy) Tom Hiscok (Torquay)	Cornwall Team Richard Sadler Tony Nash Richard O`Hanlon Scott Richards Grant Slater Mark Rowe Nick Williams Nick Rogers Malcolm Edmunds Paul Turpin
Devon came out on top, in a thrilling match against old rivals Cornwall, in their annual `Ryder Cup` style match, played this Wednesday at a gale lashed Royal North Devon. The weather could not have been more difficult, and if the event had been a normal stroke play competition, would probably have been cancelled, it therefore was a credit to both teams that the match went ahead. Having travelled from all corners of the peninsula, it was felt that we should do our best to get a result on the day. The weather was best summed up by home Club Pro Mike Wilson, on his day off, he left the house to walk his dog mid morning, got to the end of the road, turned back and put on a DVD instead ! Devon have a great record in these matches over recent years and were defending a winning record stretching back to 2001. Cornwall had assembled their strongest line up for years, and were determined to end Devon's winning run. Devon on the other hand were missing some of their most experienced players and drafted in three rookies, from further down their Order of Merit table, all were excited to be part of this great match and all three played a key role in helping Devon win on the day. The morning five foursomes matches were played in the worst of the weather and Cornwall just came out in front with some good golf, this meant that they took a three matches to two lead, into the ten afternoon singles. Nick Cook and Peter Mitchell were Devon`s only morning winners, beating the experienced pair of Malcolm Edmunds and Nick Williams. Chris Gill and Paul Hendriksen were edged out by Cornwall`s top pair Richard Saddler and Tony Nash. Devon did manage two half matches, with Barry Austin partnering young Rookie Tom Hiscok, they just could not close out a match they had looked like winning. Ashley Moon and Iain Parker also looked to be in control of their match, but a few unforced errors in the closing holes, meant they were happy to hang on for a half point in the end. In the final foursomes James Langmead and Rookie Dan Wood played well but were just edged out by Cornwall Captain Richard O`Hanlon and Mark Rowe. The decision was taken at lunch to try to complete the match and with the light at this time of year, as an issue, the players were quickly back on the course to do battle. The star players in both teams went head to head again, and Sadler just edged out Gill in a very tight match, Paul Hendriksen though brought Devon`s first afternoon point home, winning against Tony Nash. Barry Austin, Devon`s `OOM no1` played great golf and won 3 and 2 against Paul Turpin. Barry a former Captain knows how tight these matches can be and has played in every match since the event started. The next two matches were very close and could have gone either way. Had Cornwall won these it would have been a very different story. Ashley Moon who became a father for the second time last week, had a great match with Scott Richards, Moon who had very little sleep this past week pulled out all his reserves and at this stage every point looked vital. Tom Hiscok earned another crucial half point against Grant Slater. Tom looks like one of the best prospect`s of the new rookie players in the County, and he thoroughly enjoyed his call up to the team. Iain Parker who was Devon`s Captain on the day went down to Nick Rodgers who was revelling in the tough conditions by 3 and 2. At this point in the afternoon, the match could have gone either way, but this is where Devon have `come up trumps` in nearly all the recent matches. The rookies and less heralded players in the team, made all the difference, Nick Cook went all the way against Malcolm Edmunds but won a close fought match 2 and 1. After his contribution in the morning with Peter Mitchell, to be joint top points scorer on the day was a great effort. Rookie Peter Mitchell played great golf, and had four birdies in a row, which in the conditions where pars were very hard to come by, was incredible golf , he beat Nick Williams 3 and 2. Although Devon now looked favourites it was far from clear which way the match was headed, Parker picked up the last matches, and at this point both he and the last two players on the course, thought their matches were going to be crucial, and they were! Devon though in the shape of Rookie Dan Wood playing against Mark Rowe again came out on top again, Dan won his match 2 and 1, playing very steady golf. In the final match James Langmead was playing Cornwall `anchorman` Richard O`Hanlon, James who had made a huge effort to travel the length of the Country the night before, to make the match, was rewarded with a memorable 3 and 2 victory . James is a real match play specialist and loves the head to head competition. The final singles score of 7 matches to 3 gave the end result a comfortable look `9 points to 6` this was a far from comfortable win, in all senses. Hugh effort had been expended in the toughest of conditions, most of the player`s were exhausted after a real tough day on the link`s, but still had just enough energy to celebrate in the historic clubhouse at the after match official dinner. A big thanks to Cornwall, who played a major part in making this match memorable, for all the right reasons. Iain Parker on behalf of the Devon County PGA thanked Royal North Devon for allowing the match to be staged at the club, their generosity in hosting several events, over the last couple of seasons, has been very much appreciated by the Pros. He also thanked head greenkeper Mark Evans, for getting the course in superb condition the greens as usual were fast and true. Finally both Captains looked forward to next season's battle, but for the moment Devon again have bragging rights in West Country golf.