Wood wins to help Devon retain crown

FOR the ninth year running, Devon triumphed in their Ryder Cup-style clash with Cornwall — with the help of a singles win from Holsworthy rookie Dan Wood.

Strong winds lashed the Royal North Devon course and had it been a normal competition, play would probably have been called off.

Cornwall had assembled their strongest line-up for some years in a bid to end Devon's winning streak.

And their hopes would have been raised by the hosts missing some of their more experienced professionals.

In the end, the Devon team captained by RND's Iain Parker and featuring debutant Wood triumphed 9-6.

The five foursome matches in the morning were played in the worst of the weather.

Nick Cook (Elfordleigh) and Peter Mitchell (Thurlstone) were Devon's only winners.

Parker and Ashley Moon (Okehampton) looked in control but some unforced errors in the closing holes meant they were happy to hang on for one of Devon's two halves.

Cornwall captain Richard O'Hanlon and Mark Rowe edged out rookie Wood and James Langmead (Stover) to give their side a 3-2 lead going into the afternoon's singles. Parker lost three and two to Nick Rodgers, leaving the match well balanced — but Devon's rookies and less heralded players made all the difference.

Cook beat Malcolm Edmunds two and one; Peter Mitchell had four birdies in a row to beat Nick Williams three and two; Wood won two and one against Rowe with some steady golf; and in the final match Langmead enjoyed a three and two victory over O'Hanlon.

The final singles score of 7-3 to Devon made the final result look far more comfortable than it was.

● Saunton professional Albert Mackenzie made the most of home advantage to win the fourth Devon PGA Order of Merit Medal.

In bad weather he played superbly for 72 on the West Course to win by two shots from joint runners-up Chris Gill (Exeter) and Barry Austin (Downes Crediton).

Two of Mackenzie's shots which stood out were a beautifully flighted seven iron into the sixth for a birdie, and a driver to 20ft on the par-three 11th.

Mackenzie said: "We are so lucky at Saunton. You walk out the door and could toss a coin every day — heads East, tails West — and know you are going to be playing a great course."

Austin added: "The pros love visiting Saunton, it is many players' favourite course. But next year could we please have the wind turned down just a bit?"

He presented the club with a cheque to help with junior development.

● The Willingcott Valley Captain's Day raised £162 for Help For Heroes and the Devon Air Ambulance.