Vets Captain 2026 - Kim Noakes

All men over 60 in Tavistock Golf Club are eligible to join the Vets for an annual fee of £5.

The Vet’s promote:

• A friendly and welcoming atmosphere for players of all standards
• A range of competitions throughout the year that:
• Ensures easy introduction and mixing of players
• Provides interest for both low and high handicap players
• Vet competitions are generally every Friday, teeing off from 8am to 10am. We play a variety of individual and team formats including a monthly qualifier.
• The Vets operate a cashless account system with prizes for all competitions – trophies, prizes and/or pro shop vouchers.    
• A full program of friendly fixtures with local golf clubs in Devon and Cornwall.  We have 16 fixtures on a home and away basis:
• Local courses include: Bigbury, China Fleet, Churston, Dainton Park, East Devon, Holsworthy, Lanhydrock, Launceston, Okehampton, Royal North Devon, St Mellion, Staddon Heights, Stover, Thurlestone, Torquay and Yelverton
• Matches are played as four-ball better-ball matchplay involving 6 pairs from each club
• Matches are followed by a one or two course meal and provides the opportunity to meet interesting and cheerful people
• The match fee is generally less than £20 and is tremendous value for money
• Participation in the South Devon Seniors League (SDSL):
  
• This enables play at more local golf courses such as Borringdon, Bovey Castle, Bovey Tracy,  Dartmouth, Downes Crediton, Exeter, The Warren, Teignmouth, Tiverton and Woodbury Park
• Clubs split into 4 pools of 5 or 6 (randomly drawn each year)
• Friendly but competitive golf based on a 4BBB stableford format with 6 pairs from each club
• Top clubs in each pool attend a finals day at a neutral venue and the other clubs have the option of attending a Jambori day
• Match fee of around £20 includes registration coffee and one course meal
• The possibility to participate in Devon Men’s Veteran Association (DMVGA) events subject to an annual DMVGA subscription of £3:
• Emerton-Court Trophy.  This the most prestigious Seniors Golf team event in Devon based on 4BBB matchplay with 5 pairs from each team on a home and away basis.
• Several events throughout the year, featuring a variety of formats, at attractive venues throughout the county
• An annual Vet’s 2-day tour and a Captains away day

To join the Vet’s please contact Kim Noakes, 2026 Vets Captain, or one of the Vets Committee:

Andy Metcalf (Secretary), Paul Mace (Treasurer), Jim McGregor (past Captain), John Harding (DMVGA Representative) and Clive Beegan (Captain elect).

This can be via:

• Cameron Kenworthy, Club Manager; or
• Pro shop; or
• An existing Vet member; or
• TGC online messaging system; or
• Attendance at a Friday Vet’s competition.

You will be assured of a warm welcome and we can speed-up your introduction with a Vets Welcome pack.

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Vets Captain 2025 - Jim Mcgregor

Did you know that all men over 60 in Tavistock Golf Club are eligible to join the Vets?  And that the annual fee is just £5.  It's a really good investment.

We meet every Friday, teeing off from 8am to 10am, and aiming to finish by about 2pm for prize-giving.  We play a variety of formats including a monthly qualifier. 

Players drive off in the order in which they arrive on the tee.  This random mixing of players is important.  It ensures we all get to know each other, and that we swiftly form a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.  It is this fellowship that makes membership of the Vets so rewarding, although there are also prizes to go for.

2022 Vets Captaincies:

Steve Shipman (Vice Captain), Ian Appleton (Captain ) and Mike Coles (2021 Captain )

Each year we participate in about 40 friendly matches and competitions. We have home and away matches with Bigbury, Churston, Dainton Park, East Devon, Exeter, Holsworthy, Lanhydrock, Launceston, Okehampton, Royal North Devon, St Mellion, Staddon Heights, Stover, Torquay and Yelverton.  The list includes some superb courses.        

These are friendly matches, played as four-ball better-ball matchplay.  They are always followed by a meal.  They are wonderful opportunities to meet interesting and cheerful people.  And you play great courses for no more than the cost of the food and drink, usually about £13.

Then there are the home matches, against the Ladies, the Lady Vets and the Juniors, plus a number of trophies open only to Vets.

Anyone can enter the teams, irrespective of handicap. Forms inviting players are pinned on the notice board in the mens' changing room.  Everyone gets a fair share of matches, although preference will be given to those who attend the regular Friday roll-ups. 

The only exception to this is a competition for Devon club Vets called the Emerton-Court.  This one is serious. Only the best are picked, including high handicappers playing well.

There is enormous camaraderie among the Vets.   To join us, just turn up on a Friday at 08:15 in the clubhouse.  Be assured, we'll offer you a very warm welcome.  We also offer a great variety of golf, of playing partners, of courses, and of fun.

We look forward, one day soon, to welcoming you to the Vets.