2025 Team Results
SWICC 2025 - The Full Report
This year saw Devon as hosts of SWICC at East Devon Golf Club, Budleigh Salterton. A beautiful but testing course on top of the cliffs with stunning sea views.
The squad had a practice day there in May so were prepared for what the course could throw at them, especially if the wind got up.
Sunday was a practice round, so the whole squad went off to see how the course had changed from May…certainly harder and faster.
Match 1 on Monday was against Wiltshire. However, our 8.30am tee time was significantly delayed due to the fog. As the delay crept on, a Captains’ meeting was called and it was decided that if the fog hadn’t lifted by 10.30am, we would be playing 9-hole matches, if not by 12.30, matches would be halved. Thankfully at 11.45, we were off!
First off was the Knowle pairing of Jo Hodge and Millie Gait who quickly went 2 up through 4, 3 up through 6 and going on to win comfortably 4/2 to put our first point on the board. Next up were the Cotswold Hills pairing of Claudia Ovens and Lydia Sutherland who remained A/S through their match but turning up the heat at the right time to win 1 up.
The first of our singles players was Summer Carash from Minchinhampton. Again, a steady start being A/S through 5, taking the lead on the 6th and maintaining it to win the game 1 up. Next was Neve Jeffery from Knowle GC. Another steady start being A/S through 5 and taking the lead through 7 but unfortunately losing 1 down. Finally, Mariella Buchanan from Bristol & Clifton GC. A similar scenario, starting steadily but sadly going 1 down through 4 which is how it remained. However, a brilliant 3-2 win after a slightly stressful morning.
Monday afternoon and we were back to a full 18-hole match against Dorset. After a lot more waiting around, we eventually teed off an hour late at 3.30pm. Due to the lateness of the tees, it was decided that whichever pairings were ready to play, not necessarily in the 2 x foursomes, 3 x singles order.
With that in mind Alex Saunders (Bristol & Clifton GC) led us off in a singles match, quickly taking the lead. Her opponent pushed back hard going on to win 3/1. Back out after their success in the morning were Jo and Millie, again taking a quick lead, going on to win 4/3.
Claudia was up next in a singles match and was A/S through 13. But her opponent fought back to claim the match 3/1. Our last singles match, Summer Carash, followed. Despite losing a hole early on, she pulled it back to be A/S through 9. Unfortunately, another strong come back from the Dorset player saw Summer lose the match 4/3. Our second foursomes pairing of Long Ashton teammates, Rosie Boyle and Taylor Hodgson went out last. A solid start saw them A/S through 7 but taking the lead and going 2 up through 13 and maintaining it to win 2/1. A 3-2 win for Dorset. A long and difficult day for the team, with so much hanging around and uncertainty in the morning.
Tuesday arrived and we were back to sunshine and a gentle breeze! Cornwall were the morning opposition and leading us off were the rookie pairing of Regina Chiu (Lilley Brook GC) and Rosie. A solid start saw the pair A/S through 9, going 1 up through 11 and adding another through 13, going on to win 2/1. Our second pairing of Alex and Lydia were clearly in a rush for lunch, going 2 up through 2, 5 up through 9, going on to win their game 6/4.
Singles followed, Mariella first. A comfortable start of 1 up at the turn, increasing it to 3 through 13, dormie 4 and winning 5/3, another one for an early lunch. Neve next in what became a really tight match with the lead going each way and A/S after 14. Despite losing a couple of holes on the bounce and being dormie 1 down, Neve was determined not to be beaten and halved the last with a huge putt (and a fist pump!) to take the half. Last up was Taylor who took an early lead of 3 up through 9 and adding the next 2. Her opponent started a fight back, but Taylor was having none of it, going on to win 2 up. Our result against Cornwall being a 4½ - ½ win.
Tuesday afternoon saw us take on Somerset. Once again, Jo and Mille led the way. An up and down front 9 saw them A/S at the turn. Losing a few holes back-to-back (with an injury to Mille), saw them lose 4/3. Following them, all the experience in the pairing of Alex and Claudia. Cruising along A/S through most of the match, just putting the pressure on right at the end to win 2 up in pure ‘Granny’ Saunders style.
Singles next; Mariella, Taylor and Summer. Despite going 1 down early on, Mariella pulled it back to A/S through 5 and adding 1 at 7, 8 and 9, going on to win 4/3. Taylor next taking an early lead through 9. A couple of holes slipped by and she was 1 down through 14. Fighting back, she won 15 to go A/S, maintaining it through 16, winning 17 to go 1 up on the 18th tee and winning the game from there. Finally, Summer in the anchor game, taking an early lead of 3 up through 5, a lead she maintained for most of the match, going on to win 3/2. A 4-1 win for Gloucestershire.
After day 2, the standings were very close with us having a very narrow lead (by ½ point) at the top of the table. We needed a 5-0 win, and the team were up for the challenge.
Wednesday morning, against Devon, started very cold and very windy. Our foursomes started with Alex and Lydia. A nice start saw them 1 up at the turn, grabbed another couple of holes, going on to win 3/1. Claudia and Taylor followed them out. Losing a couple of holes early on, saw them 1 down after 9, but the fight was on taking them to 2 up through 16. A stunning shot from Claudia into the long par 3 gave them 2 putts for the eventual 3/1 win.
Singles again with Mariella leading the way. Some great golf from her opponent saw Mariella go 4 down after 7 but getting 1 back on the 8th, another on the 14th and again on the 15th to be 1 down on 16th tee. Despite losing the game 2/1, it was an amazing fight back from Mariella. Neve’s turn next, after taking an early lead, her opponent clawed it back leaving Neve 2 down after 9. A massive putt on the 14th saw her get one back but sadly it was not to be with a 2/1 loss. Summer, again in the anchor match, took a couple of holes early on but her opponent pulled it back to A/S through 12 and setting the game up for the tightest of finishes. Being 1 up through 16, 17 was halved as was the game and the match. The final match score being 2½ - 2½.
Our overall position in the table was 3rd with Somerset winning on a countback from Dorset. As you can see from the table, it was incredibly tight.
As I said to the team after the final match, I could not be prouder of them and all they have achieved. The way this group have worked as a team, fought for every point and supported each other the whole way has been exceptional.
In addition to the amazing team, I would like to say a few extra ‘thank yous’:
- Alex Saunders (my fantastic VC) and Jamie McCormick our coach, for their brilliant support
- To Devon Golf, Paul Cloke and his team and East Devon Golf Club
- To the GLCGA Executive
- To all our caddies and supporters (both near and far), it all means so much to the team to know you are there.
Bring on Yeovil 2026 – we’re coming for you!
Carole
GLCGA vs cotswold hills men's 1st team
On Sunday 16th February, the Ladies took on the Cotswold Hills GC Men’s 1st Team. They are one of the strongest club teams in the County and are a great test for our squad.
The format on this bitterly cold day was Greensomes and leading out the teams were Summer Carash and Millie Gait against Joel Parry and Dan Page. An excellent match, all square stepping onto the 18th tee, the girls unfortunately losing on the last.
Next up were Rosie Boyle and Frances Sullivan against Mike Lindsay and Alex Beaty. Another tight match, this time with the girls getting the win.
After losing one of our players to the flu and unable to get a replacement, Alex Saunders, Vice Captain, took on the father and son pairing of Mike and Dave Downey on her own! Being a lover of a colourful golf bag, Alex spotted her opponent’s bag whilst on the 1st tee. Whilst I am not condoning gambling in anyway, the possibility of acquiring said bag, spurred her on to victory!
The all-rookie pairing of Alecia Carash and Carly Cox took on Paul Taylor and Mike Lister. A great first match for this new pairing with some excellent golf from both players, who were unfortunate not to take the points.
Sam Round together with Neve Jeffrey were up against Cotswold Hills Captain, Dave Allison and Will Parsons. A nip and tuck match all the way which resulted in a very honourable half.
Lydia Sutherland and Molly Stewart took on Tom Cole and Alex Jones. Terrific golf from both ladies saw them get the ‘W’.
Our final pairing of Lizzie Robbins and Sophie Williams were against Spencer Russell and Simon Mills, who I am delighted to say, also bought home a point.
A brilliant 4½/2½ victory for the ladies, the first time ever. Some excellent match preparation and our thanks to Dave Allison, his team and Cotswold Hills GC for the match.
GGU U18s vs GLCGA
Sunday 2nd March saw our second match at Filton GC taking on the GGU U18s team.
A Greensomes format again but this time on a gloriously sunny day!
Leading out the teams were Jo Hodge and Mariella Buchanan against Reggie Phelps and Charlie Pearce-Ward. A very close game with Jo and Mariella winning on the last.
Next up were Summer Carash and Taylor Hodgson taking on Riley Wood and Oscar Linton. After being 3 down, the girls made a tremendous comeback to go on and win 3/1.
Claudia Ovens and Sam Round were up against Jackson Wojahn-Parker and Ben Warwicker. A fabulous 8 foot putt on the 17th from Sam meant the match was all square stepping onto the 18th tee and finishing in a very fair half.
Rosie Boyle again partnered by Frances Sullivan were up against James Sayce & Edison Butler, bought home a comfortable 2&1 win.
Safe to say that the rookie pairing of Lizzie Robbins and Alecia Carash worked rather well with a 7&5 victory over Charlie Ford and Oscar Horler.
The new pairing of Regina Chiu and Molly Douglas played Tom Chapman and Ethan Jay. Another amazing fight back from the girls after being 4 down. Four birdies in the last 6 holes, sealed the match 1 up.
After losing a player to injury, Alex Saunders, once again played on her own. This time it was individual singles matches against 2 fellow Bristol & Clifton members Ernie Elford and Jack Lockwood. Both lads went up early in the match but Alex clawed her way back beating Jack 3&2 and then beating Ernie on the 18th by holing a very good 10 footer to secure the win 1up.
Another brilliant day for the squad taking the match ½ to 8½.
Thanks to Ian James, U18s Manager and his team for the match and we wish them all the best for the rest of the season. Thanks also to Filton Golf Club for getting the course into such excellent conditions considering the appalling weather the previous week.
