Thurlestone Golf Club

It was not a brilliant start to the new year, but happy nevertheless writes Lincoln Shaw.

Gale-force winds and rain lashed the first tee at Thurlestone, yet 65 hardy souls popped out to watch the traditional captains' drive-in – then popped back into the warmth of the clubhouse immediately afterwards.

Sadly, the conditions did not permit the customary 11-hole competition to proceed, but that was no deterrent to those intent on shaking off the effects of the night before in the 19th hole.

The drive-in did go ahead, with the rewards of using the captains' parking spaces throughout January for those who predicted the landing spots of the two drives.

For the record they were won by T Gledhill (no, not the Manager's wife, but Tony Gledhill) and young Tom Orr.

This is a reward that has caused a problem for this talented young golfer, because he hasn't got a car. So he will be either parking his bike there or, knowing Tom's entrepreneurial nature, may well be selling it on to someone with wheels to make a bit of pocket money.

Also, for the record, the drives were neither on the beach nor in the car park despite that nasty wind.

Mulled wine and mince pies helped to thaw out frozen fingers as well wishers congratulated captains Wendy Laud and Dave Smyth, whose chosen charities for the year ahead will be the Chemotherapy Outreach Project and St Luke's Hospice.

So ended a year which earned Thurlestone a tribute from the Devon PGA Alliance as 'The club all others in Devon should be aspiring to be'.

A testament earned by hard work by all concerned, says manager Steve Gledhill.

In his review of the year, Steve records that the club has hosted many prestigious events during the year, such as the men's palarait finals, the Devon county finals, the county foursomes and the Devon PGA. Both the course and the clubhouse earned praise from many visitors.

Steve records a number of changes to improve facilities and visitor numbers and comments: 'Changes can be destabilising but we have tried to improve our communication with members with a series of open forums and regular newsletters so that everyone is involved in the decision making.'

One of the brightest spots has been the success of the junior academy thanks to the vision of professional Steve White and his team.

While most clubs have a contracting membership, Thurlestone has taken on 111 new members in 2013 and the new year has already started with 12 new members joining from neighbouring clubs.

'If this continues' he says, 'the club will be forced to introduce a waiting list once again – so get in quick if you want to join our thriving club.'