The Exeter Spring Invitational is an event for the best players in Exeter University Golf Club and those showing great potential and progress in recent months.
The top three players are treated to an away day at a top 100 course within the UK, with the best 4 medal scores out of 5 counting towards the final leaderboard.
Round 1
Round one was a blustery affair, with winds gusting above 50mph, reminiscent of The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2019. Jake Ball made an explosive start but struggled with the flat stick as the round progressed. Hayward and Pepper carved out exceptional scores given the condition, with the Welsh Dragon, Owain Taylor, just a couple of shots back.
The middle of the leaderboard is tight, with Smith, Savill and Thomas looking towards round 2 at Saunton to get back in contention.
Round 2
Round 2 continued to show that the Exeter Spring classic is purely a name – 30 mph winds battered Saunton GC, resulting in Toby asking me if I wanted to buy his golf clubs after 9 holes. Waldie, Rhys and Pepper all shined on the front 9, but Keefe was the only player to keep the momentum going through all 18.
We’re tight at the top. Keefe and Taylor out in front, with Jake Ball, Ben Quick and Max Nield making up the chasing pack. Watch out for Rhys, his 1st counting round of +6 brings him into the fray.
Round 3
Round three was equally as brutal as rounds 1 and 2. Stunning scores from Rhys and Oli see them make a charge. Hayward leads the pack as we head back to Dawlish.
Round 4
Never a calm day in the Exeter Spring Invitational. Tom’s +2 round sees him close the gap on Max with 1 round left to play. Max, Tom & Keefe are currently positioned to take the prize, but there is a large pack sitting 3-5 shots behind 3rd place, with 18 holes left to play.
Round 5
Spring arrived for the final day of the Spring Invitational – a soft breeze and sunshine basked over Dawlish Warren. As the conditions changed so did the leaderboard. The leaders faltered +5, +6 and +8 from the final group gave way for the chasing pack to charge.
Jake ball’s 7 birdies pushed him close, but dropped shots and a level par round left him in tied 4th. The skipper, Ben Quick, pushed through and carded the best of the day -2 to take top spot in the Exeter Spring Invitational and keep his reign as top dawg.
Sav and Hayward finished 2nd and 3rd respectively to take the final two prize spots. Commiserations to Keefe who finished one shot shy in tied 4th.
Exeter Spring Invitational leaderboard
| Pos | Player | Handicap | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 3 | Rd 4 | Rd 5 | Total |
| 1 | Ben Quick | +4 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 30 | -2 | 18 |
| 2 | Tom Savill | -0.6 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 20 |
| 3 | Max Hayward | +2.1 | 2 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 21 |
| 4 | Alex Keefe | -0.9 | 6 | 4 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 22 |
| 4 | Jake Ball | +3.3 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 22 |
| 6 | Rhys Williams | +0.1 | 30 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 3 | 25 |
| 7 | Waldie Webster | +0.7 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 27 |
| 8 | Toby Smith | +1.7 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 29 |
| 9 | Owain Taylor | +2.4 | 4 | 7 | 17 | 30 | 3 | 31 |
| 10 | Max Neild | -1.2 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 30 | 36 |
| 11 | Matt Pepper | +0.6 | 2 | 20 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 38 |
| 12 | Oli Jenkins | +1.6 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 30 | 30 | 51 |
| 13 | Dylan Thomas | -0.3 | 12 | 23 | 14 | 30 | 8 | 57 |
| 14 | Hari Pachu | +2 | 30 | 10 | 9 | 30 | 30 | 79 |
Winners of the Exeter Spring Classic
- Ben Quick
- Tom Savill
- Max Hayward
