Devon mascots tee-up for Jurassic Adventure

Mascots from across Devon are set to compete to become the county’s first Adventure Golf champion.

The tournament has been organised by Ladram Bay Holiday Park at its new Jurassic Adventure Golf course as part of the park’s Toddler Week running at the start of July.

Grecian the Lion, from Exeter City, Ambrose the Paramedic Bear, the Devon Air Ambulance mascot, Angus from World of Country Life, Buddy Bear and Blossom Bear from Crealy Adventure Park, Cavog from Kent’s Cavern, Ozzie the Otter and Pickles the Parrot from Ladram Bay, Woodlands Hero from Woodlands Leisure Park, one of the Paignton Zoo mascots and Diggerland’s Duggy and Dotty are amongst the contenders competing over the nine-hole course at the East Devon holiday park.

The draw for the ‘Ladram Bay Jurassic Golf Championship 2015’ will be made on Twitter @LadramBay on Thursday at 12pm (June 25), with the competition being played on Wednesday July 1, starting at 2.30pm.

The 12 mascots will be drawn into three groups, with the winner of each then playing in the final for the overall title.

Throughout Toddler Week various activities are taking place at the holiday park, including a birthday party for mascot Pickles the Parrot and lots of children’s activities aimed at the under fives, including children’s clubs.

Claire Williams, General Manager at the East Devon holiday park, which recently won the Exeter Business Awards Tourism Award and a 2015 Trip Advisor accolade, said: “Mascots across Devon have been desperate to sign up! They’re clearly quite a competitive bunch. With no formbook I have no idea who the favourite is, but I’m sure it’s going to be a great event. We’ve got two experienced referees to make sure there’s no untoward gamesmanship or skulduggery!”

Caroline Creer, Devon Air Ambulance’s Fundraising Director, said: “Ambrose, the Devon Air Ambulance bear, is keen to take part and is already practicing his swing. We are really looking forward to the event. Our mascots are a fun way of raising awareness of our life-saving service.”
The new golf course is part of a major redevelopment at the family-owned park, on the Jurrasic Coast between Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth. The swimming pool complex now includes a children’s interactive zone, sauna, steam room, gym, sun terrace and café, whilst the Pebbles restaurant has also been upgraded, to make the most of the stunning sea views across the site’s private beach.

The unusual course, designed and built by Wiltshire-based HM Adventure Golf, features carved rocks, a waterfall, fossils, sculptures of dinosaurs including a Triceratops and Velociraptor and ‘dug up’ dinosaur bones.

Grace Ryder, Marketing Manager at Crealy Great Adventure Park, said: “Buddy and Blossom are delighted to be part of this competition. They’ve already been out practicing on local adventure golf courses so will bring their game in July!”

Watch the draw on Twitter @LadramBay from 12pm Thursday June 25.