Captain’s Trophy 2026 - A Dramatic Victory for Exeter!
While the Victory Bowl may have slipped through our fingers this year, the Captain’s Trophy is coming home to Exeter!
Played alongside the historic Victory Bowl, the Captain’s Trophy is a fiercely contested 36-hole match between the Captains and Vice Captains of Exeter Golf and Country Club and Dawlish Warren Golf Club.
After the opening 18 holes at The Warren, Exeter were one down, leaving everything to play for in the return leg at Exeter. With Vice Captain Neil Whittaker unavailable, former Captain James Mullins stepped in to partner the Captain.
Things got off to a difficult start, with Exeter two down after just two holes. However, the pair dug deep, found their rhythm and turned the match around, taking the lead by halfway. A tense back nine followed, with both sides playing excellent golf and neither giving an inch.
Standing on the 18th tee one up, Exeter knew Dawlish Warren would have to attack to force a result. James and the Captain kept their composure to win the final hole and secure a 2-up victory, bringing the Captain’s Trophy back to Exeter!
A huge thank you to Dawlish Warren’s Captain and Vice Captain for two competitive rounds played in great spirit, to Neil for his efforts in the opening leg and to James for stepping in and helping secure the win.
The Victory Bowl may be heading to Dawlish Warren, but at least they didn’t leave Exeter with all the silverware! A brilliant finish to a fantastic contest and another special memory from the Captain’s year.
Congratulations Steve and Keith
Last Thursday 8th October Steve Sheldon & Keith Parnall were invited to Dartmouth Golf Club to represent Exeter in an end of Season golf event and annual presentation for the Devon Men Veteran Golfers Association (DMVGA).
This invitation was made to recognise golfing achievements throughout the year, where we were awarded the President’s Tray for winning this year’s Spring Meeting event.
The Spring Meeting was held in May this year at Stover Golf Club with 220 representatives from all golf clubs across the County.
The competition was played in a better ball format and we won the event with a score of -7 under par, 43 points.
Dartmoor League (DML) - Exeter vs Tavistock
Quaich Trophy - Exeter v Tiverton
On Sunday 11th October, a hardy team of old and young souls from EGCC ventured out into the wilds of mid Devon to meet the challenge from Tiverton GC to try and retake the Quaich trophy.
On a blustery day our team of 12 set off in positive mood with great expectations on the beautifully prepared and lush green Tiverton course. We held our own until the Tiverton team started to pull away in a couple of crucial fourballs on the back nine. They were not to be caught and the final result ended at 3 ½ to 2 ½ in Tiverton’s favour.
So, during splendid hospitality and no shortage of barracking, Tom Baillie (the captain for the day) handed the Quaich trophy back to Richard Colman the winning captain.
A match played in great spirit with good humour and sportsmanship in the traditions of the Quaich, originally organised by Bill Seath (EGCC) and his longtime friend David Grieve of Tiverton GC, as a challenge between the clubs for a traditional Scottish drinking cup.
Quaich drinking cups are believed to have originated in Scotland,
becoming very popular in the 17th century. They have a handle on either side of the drinking bowl and are handed to the receiver with both hands, showing that you are not holding anything (such as a dagger!!) and the receiver takes the cup with both hands to show the same. With such displays of friendship who needs enemies?!!
A huge thank you to all the Exeter players who took part on what was a very busy weekend for our Club. The Exeter team consisted of Tom Baillie, Gary Quinn, Ben More, Nick Rimmer, Jack Delve, Paul ‘Jock’ Clark, Kim Tucker, David Coren, Seb Rothwell, Geoff Fidler, Paul Simeons and Wayne Chant.
Victory Bowl 2026 – Exeter Golf & Country Club vs Dawlish Warren
The 2026 Victory Bowl has concluded, continuing a historic tradition between Exeter Golf and Country Club and Dawlish Warren Golf Club that dates back to 1945, following the end of the Second World War.
Having lost the first leg 3–2, Exeter faced a tough challenge in the return fixture at home. Despite some excellent golf and hard-fought matches, Dawlish Warren won the second leg by the same score, securing a 6–4 overall victory.
Exeter’s Captain congratulated Dawlish Warren on a deserved win and thanked every Exeter player for their commitment and team spirit throughout both legs.
Now in its 81st year, the Victory Bowl remains about more than the result, celebrating friendship, tradition and the enduring relationship between the two clubs. Exeter will be back next year, hoping to bring the trophy home.
WINNERS!
Exeter Golf & Country Club Crowned 2026 East Devon League Champions
Exe League Champs - Three Years Running
Wooden Spoon
Our annual men versus ladies golf challenge took place in early October and proved to be a wonderfully enjoyable and closely fought occasion, played in excellent spirit with plenty of great golf on display.
With the score tied at 3½–3½ and just one match left to finish, everything rested on Sal Rimmer and Adele Needham, who—blissfully unaware of the pressure—secured the decisive final point for the ladies. Ladies Golf Captain Claire Baillie then presented the Wooden Spoon to the men’s captain, Justin Powleland, amid warm cheers from all the ladies in the room. The spoon will proudly carry a blue ribbon until the teams meet again next year.
Congratulations to everyone who took part and helped make the day such a happy and memorable one.
