Back: Jenny Rhodes, Hannah Reynolds, Carys Morris, Amanda Burchell, Susie Carr, Belle Tarr
Emily Morey, Sophie Page, Georgia Denega
Front: Hannah Stephens, Vicky Holloway & Rosie Burnham
Devon produced a determined display to finish third at the 2026 South West Women’s Inter-Counties Championship after three days of fiercely contested golf in sweltering conditions at Yeovil Golf Club.
Yeovil proved an excellent host for the annual championship, one of the highlights of the women’s golfing calendar where Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire battled for the coveted place at the England Golf County Finals at Betchworth Park Golf Club, Surrey, later this month.
With temperatures soaring throughout the week, the championship tested both stamina and skill. Each county faced two opponents per day over three days, with every match comprising two foursomes and three singles – a demanding schedule for players and caddies alike.
Devon Women’s Team Manager Vicky Holloway selected her nine-player squad from across the county: Amanda Burchell (Bigbury), Devon Junior Girls’ Champion Susie Carr (Teignmouth), Georgia Denega (Churston), Nikki Elliott (Bigbury), Carys Morris (Portmore), Sophie Page (East Devon), Hannah Reynolds (Teignmouth), Devon Senior Women’s Champion Jenny Rhodes (Torquay) and Belle Tarr (Churston).
Tough Opening Day
Devon faced a daunting start against hosts Dorset in the morning before taking on defending champions Somerset in the afternoon. Although both matches ended in defeat, the score-lines did not reflect the quality of golf produced, with Devon pushing two of the competition’s strongest teams throughout.
Devon Bounce Back
Day two proved to be the turning point.
Against Wiltshire, Vicky reshuffled her foursomes pairings and the changes paid immediate dividends. Susie Carr and Nikki Elliott claimed the opening point before Carys Morris and Jenny Rhodes added a second victory.
The singles produced plenty of drama. Hannah Reynolds battled all the way before narrowly losing on the 18th hole, while Georgia Denega was beaten 3&2. Belle Tarr, however, delivered a commanding 5&4 victory to seal a 3-2 team win for Devon.
Buoyed by that success, Devon carried the momentum into their afternoon match against Gloucestershire despite the relentless heat.
Susie Carr and Nikki Elliott continued their outstanding partnership with an emphatic 5&3 foursomes victory, although Amanda Burchell and Sophie Page were defeated. Hannah Reynolds again fought superbly before eventually losing at the last – but the county’s young stars stepped up. Georgia Denega secured a fine 4&2 win before Belle Tarr followed with a composed 3&1 victory to clinch another 3-2 match success.
Derby Delight on Final Day
The final-day showdown against Cornwall always promised to be emotional with county pride at stake. Cornwall had enjoyed the upper hand in recent meetings, but Devon were determined to rewrite the script.
Tired bodies made their way to the first tee after two gruelling days, with Devon’s caddies once again playing an invaluable role. Rosie Burnham caddied for Belle Tarr and Hannah Stephens for Georgia Denega and Mark Reynolds was on daughter Hannah’s bag – all three were stalwarts for all five matches.
Carys Morris and Jenny Rhodes were narrowly beaten 1-down in the opening foursomes, but Susie Carr and Nikki Elliott once again delivered for Devon with an emphatic 4&2 victory to level the match.
In the singles, Hannah Reynolds once again displayed tremendous resilience, taking her match to the 18th before securing a valuable half point. Belle Tarr continued her superb week with a confident victory on the 14th hole, leaving teenage prospect Georgia Denega needing to deliver the decisive result.
Showing remarkable composure under pressure, Georgia Denega dug deep to win 1-up clinching a memorable 3½ -1½ victory for Devon.
Strong Finish
Dorset completed a perfect championship with five wins from five matches to secure the title and qualification for the England Golf County Finals at Betchworth Park Golf Club.
Somerset finished runners-up with Devon also on 6 points but winning only 9 games to Somerset’s 11 to finish in an impressive third place.
It represented an outstanding performance from a squad of just nine players, three of whom are still juniors.
Team Manager Vicky Holloway praised the commitment shown throughout the week.
“I couldn’t be prouder of every one of them,” she said. “They played outstanding golf against some very strong opposition and represented Devon with tremendous determination and team spirit.”
Vicky & Hannah
Fitting Farewell
The championship marked Vicky Holloway’s final event as Devon Women’s Team Manager bringing to a close a successful 4-year spell in charge, during which she has blended experienced campaigners with emerging young talent to build a competitive county side.
She paid tribute to the invaluable support behind the scenes from Rosie Burnham, Hannah Stephens, Wendy Stanbury and first-team player Emily Morey, while also acknowledging the unwavering backing of parents, families and friends throughout the week.
Among those offering vital support were Mark and Nicola Reynolds, Donna Morris, JP and Jamie Denega, Andy and Teresa Carr as well as Karen and Nick Tarr whose welcome afternoon ice-cream deliveries became a popular morale booster during the intense heat.
The week concluded on an emotional note as Holloway presented Hannah Reynolds with her Devon team colours, a fitting final act at the end of her tenure as Women’s Team Manager.
