On 3rd October twelve intrepid Legal Ladies made their way to Dartmoor for three days of golf and fun. The group stayed at The Two Bridges Hotel near Princetown where they were warmly welcomed and enjoyed comparing the characterful rooms.
Following a morning trip into Tavistock the team were joined at Tavistock Golf Club by Vicki Salmon who, fortunately, had stopped for a coffee on her way down from London and picked up the text which told her to redirect the Satnav to Tavistock rather than Tiverton!
The team took on the ladies of Tavistock in a four ball better ball match played using stableford points off full handicap. Caroline Theyer made up the numbers for the Tavistock team
The course was in lovely condition and provided wonderful views of the moor and surrounding tors. Our hosts were excellent guides to both the course and the views.
Diana Reese at Tavistock GC
The weather was dry and the local rules made provision for the sheep and cows which wandered the course. Despite big open fairways some of the ladies found a few challenging lies in gorse bushes but the team were none-the-less victorious beating the home team 3-1. Following the match the team repaired to the The Annex restaurant in Tavistock for an early tapas supper which was much enjoyed by all.
The following morning saw early rain and some of the team decided a few hands of bridge would be a lovely way to spend the morning. However, the rain cleared up to enable some to go for a pre-match walk on the moor near Princetown before heading to Yelverton Golf Club.
The format for the afternoon was two Legal Ladies playing with one Yelverton member and the best two stableford scores on each hole to count for the team.
Di Kyle and Vicki Salmon at the lake by Foggintor Quarry
The team were very grateful for the members' (Caroline Theyer amongst them) help on the course as there were some very penal pits and dips on the course which it was good to know to (try to) avoid! The course was stunning and had plenty of ponies who were largely unbothered by the golfers although they always acknowledged a ball flying close by with a defiant shake of the head!
Caroline Theyer well used to playing amongst the ponies.
The winning team on the day was Pippa Lark, Pauline Burrow and Yelverton member Kate Wright with a score of 69 points.
That evening following some down time at the hotel the team headed to the pub in Princetown for a lovely home cooked meal. It was probably just as well the kitchen had closed before before desserts could be ordered!
The finale of the tour was a round at Bovey Castle Golf Club where the format was a four ball team stableford with the best two scores to count on Par 4s and 5s and best three on the Par 3s.
Bovey Castle is a beautiful parkland course on the edge of the National Park, very different from the moorland courses of the previous two days. With were several hills to climb and the added interest of the River Bovey winding its way through the course it was, like Yelverton, another testing course.
Caroline Theyer, Pauline Burrow, Vicki Salmon and Sara Reston made up the winning team posting a score of 82 points. Sara Reston also took the prize for Nearest the Pin with a beautiful shot to the Par 3 third hole.
The Captain, Di Kyle, provided lovely prizes for the two team events which were much appreciated by the winners.
The view to Bovey Castle from the third green.
L to R: Pauline Burrow, Diana Reese, Mohak Ogilvie, Pippa Lark, Aafke Oldridge, Belinda Rattray, Vicki Salmon, Di Kyle, Caroline Theyer, Meg Ashby, Claire Gearing, Gillie Galloway and Sara Reston
Following a light snack in the brasserie at Bovey Castle Di Kyle presented Caroline Theyer with a gift by way of thanks for all the work that went into organising the golf, accommodation and restaurants for what was another hugely enjoyable and successful tour. Compliments were also paid to Caroline for arranging such good weather as there was no rain during any of the golf rounds! Our thanks too to the ladies of Tavistock and Yelverton Golf Clubs for their hospitality at their beautiful courses. The team headed off in various directions full of memories of three very happy days. Watch this space for next year's tour!
