STOVER Golf Club held the women’s county national finals last summer and for this, were nominated for tournament venue of the year.

Recently, on Wednesday, April 2, they picked up the trophy at the EnglandGolf awards ceremony held in Manchester at the Deansgate Hilton and hosted by Mark Chapman.

In the words of the EnglandGolf website, “The club went above and beyond to create an exceptional tournament experience, ensuring both players and spectators enjoyed a seamless and welcoming atmosphere throughout the event.”

They went on to add, “When unexpected weather delays disrupted play on the final day, Stover’s catering team swiftly adjusted plans, serving lunch for 70 people at short notice - a testament to their adaptability and commitment to delivering a world-class event.

“Accepting the award, Sarah Arnold, Lead Tournament Organiser from Stover Golf Club, said: ‘We're astonishingly proud as Stover is a small golf club and hadn't hosted anything of this scale before, especially when compared to other Devon clubs, such as Saunton, who have hosted the Brabazon Trophy for example, so we're delighted to be in the same bracket.’”

Arnold continued, “"This will definitely be something that we'll celebrate back at the club with the staff and volunteers - as we had over 60 volunteers helping during the tournament.”

On the night, there were 10 other prestigious awards given out, these included club, volunteer, performance and young golfer of the year Not to mention that “Brenda Parker was given a Lifetime Service Award and six new names were also inducted into England Golf’s Hall of Fame.”

Several key individuals from the club, as pictured, were in attendance in Manchester to collect the award.

Other news out of the club sees the addition of two new faces in the pro shop. The current PGA pro, Andy Fox, who happens to be one of those pictured in Manchester, wrote to members to introduce the duo.

He wrote, “Dear Stover Members, I thought I would write to you ahead of the main season to inform you all of some of the changes within the Pro Shop. Firstly, it is with great delight that I can now introduce to you my new team of Professional Golfers – David Jeffs & Craig Passmore.”

Both are known in the local golfing world, David having been involved at clubs such as Exminster and Hele Park. In his own words: “My last role was as the Head Pro at Exminster Golf Centre for 7 years, before that Bovey Tracey Golf Centre, Libbaton Golf Club and as Assistant Pro at Hele Park and Churston Golf Club.”

Craig meanwhile was a successful junior at Torquay, going on to represent both Devon and England before heading to Grand Canyon University in the US and continuing to play at an impressive level there. He is in his first year of turning professional and Fox wrote that, “Throughout April, Craig will be shadowing my staff and from May onwards he will be a permanent fixture in the pro shop” adding that he has “the aim to attend DP Tour School at the end of the season.”