Thurlestone Golf Club

One of the pleasures of playing golf at Thurlestone is that you meet so many interesting people, many of them in the late autumn of their lives writes Lincoln Shaw.

Or deep mid-winter, perhaps, in the case of some of us who are getting on more than a bit..

David Smyth, who will take over as men's captain on Wednesday, is in neither category. Late summer might be the word for his time zone, although he became a proud grandfather in September. Like so many others he retired to Thurlestone after a busy working life that has taken him all round the world

He spent his early years in Dublin, although you wouldn't realise it when talking to him ('except perhaps when I am with another Irishman') and first came to Devon as a young man to join the Royal Navy at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth.

After four years' service, with the rank of Sub Lieutenant, he entered the world of business and joined Liptons at their head office at Walton on Thames.

When that famous firm was taken over by Unilever he was posted to Calcutta as a tea buyer and then went round the world in various executive positions.

Columbo, Singapore, Australia, head of sales and marketing director of Brooke Bond, Kenya where he spent 14 years. Followed by a spell in Switzerland ('where golf was very expensive').

Then his post was transferred to Singapore, at which point he decided to call it a day and retired in Thurlestone where he had family connections.

David's wife Jane is also a golfer and a leading member of the club's tennis section, which has a strong membership.

Thurlestone has seen substantial changes in recent years and is now, David says, in a very strong situation. The future looks bright.

'I hope we can continue in this pattern, bring all sections of the club closer together and build on the fantastic friendships we have made', he says.

David can look forward to his captaincy with a win under his belt because he and partner Anthony Croke won the December Greensomes on Sunday in horrendous conditions that blew most players' hopes away. In a force whatever gale, the present captain made the merciful decision to reduce the competition to 14 holes.

After a vicious hailstorm, many felt this was several holes too many but battled courageously on. David and Anthony, with a 17-shot allowance, won with 29 points. One more than Tom and Roger Leach (11), who scored two of the three twos recorded on the day.

Alan Welch and Ken Riley (12) were third with 27 points on a day when everyone was glad to reach the comfort of the clubhouse.