COLIN Carey took over as captain of Tiverton Golf Club on New Year's Day.

The long-time member, who plays off a handicap of 14, took over the reins from 2009 skipper Paul Steele.

A healthy crowd of club officials, members and guests braved the cold to watch Carey and Tiverton's three other new captains start their official duties with the traditional drive-in from the 10th tee.

Sue Probetts, a 32-handicapper, is the new ladies' captain, replacing Rosemary Perry. The evergreen Gerry Franklin took over as veterans' captain from Allan Probetts while left-hander Harry Callahan succeeded Abbie Moyes as junior skipper.

Juniors Ben Hearn and Tom Hanson kicked off 2010 in style by winning the traditional cross-country competition on New Year's Day. They beat former winners Derek Cruwys and John Stuckey by the narrowest of margins.

Tom Berry won the New Year's Day Stableford at Downes Crediton Golf Club.

Results, Division 1: 1 Tom Berry (41pts); 2 Simon Cartlidge (40); 3 Oliver Greenslade (36)

Division 2: 1 Ron Berry (39pts); 2 Frank Sanders (37); 3 Sam Gallagher (35)

Division 3: 1 Roger Cole (41pts); 2 Matt Uren (39); 3 Colin Ray (37)

3 Player Team Medal: 1 Neil Ford, Simon Cartlidge & Kevin Vinnicombe (nett 57 — bb9); 2 Roger Gratton, Chris Drewe & Matt Parry (nett 57 — bb9); 3 Neil Bishop, Dave Shillingford & Janmes Stagg (nett 57); 4 Tom Long, Alan Lawrence & Mike Turner (nett 58)

Padbrook Park's new captain Tom Evans marked the beginning of his term of office with a successful drive-in event. The left-hander hit a superb drive after outgoing captain John Palmer had "holed out" his year in office. John Bowden also took to the tee as he took over from Mike Austin as senior's captain. Evans nominated a team event, with players drawn together, for the opening to the 2010 season. Rob Hazeldine, John Locke and Mike Thomas made light of the frosty conditions to post an excellent score of 76 stableford points. They finished five points clear of Mike Partridge, Andy Pryke and Chris Manley. Evans came third in partnership with Padbrook's new "Judge" Chris Fisher and Dave Turner.

Captain's Drive-In: 1 R Hazeldine, J Locke, M Thomas 76 pts, 2 M Partridge, A Pryke, C Manley 71,

3 T Evans, C Fisher, D Turner 69, 4 D Hepburn, B Colbourne, M Want 69, 5 M Johns, A Held, P Gooding 68.

The chance to represent Padbrook in the Daily Mail Foursomes event is at stake in a qualifying event later this month. Mark Freemantle and Phil Yolland defend their title and will be a hard act to follow after their superb run to the sixth round of the national event last year.

Defending champions Duncan Stamp and Phil Moore went out in the second round of the Winter Fourball Betterball, beaten by Tom Evans and Andy Jermy. Summer champions Chris Manley and Jim Foat were also beaten by Andy Rooker and Merv Brealy.