The scene was set for a great match; Enmore Golf Course was resplendent & sunshine was forecast.
Marcus Woodward (Captain) & Paul Martin were playing against Cornwall’s Captain Jim Mackenzie & Mike Allen. Jim was feeling slightly apprehensive on the back of the ‘worst game of his life’ so expectations were low. However (!) he proceeded to par the first five holes, thanking the conditions for his rapid return to form. There was little the Somerset pair could do to turn the match around. They were beaten 5&4.
Pete Pritchard & Mike Usher-Clark with partners Mike Norfolk & Tristan Hicks followed on. Their game was assessed overall as ‘good’. Good tight back & forth golf, good opponents & good banter! As you can guess, the result was an honourable half.
Group 3 was David Bedford & Ian Robson for Somerset & Stephen Hadfield & Rob Loughran for Cornwall. Time after time Cornwall went one up, but Somerset would win the next hole to bring the score back to all square. On the 16th Cornwall went two up & all seemed lost, but a sterling effort by David & Ian to win both the last two holes, meant they shook hands on a gentlemanly half.
The next group also finished with a friendly half. Somerset’s John Beer & Phil Barret were hosting Tom Crocker & Steve Cox. This was captains golf at its very best – fantastic company on a great course. Again, it was an up & down scoreline until the last few holes when, this time, Somerset were three up. The Cornish pair dug deep & managed to fight back to all-square – a fitting end to a wonderful game.
Mark Swallow & Barry Saunders enjoyed the company of Cornwall’s Richard Simpson & Chris James. It was another touch & go match played in the right spirit. Unfortunately, the Cornwall pair won the important points, along with the match, on the 16th.
Vice President Colin Davies & David Andow enjoyed yet another close game. Their opponents, namesake Steve Davies & Paul Hicks would win a hole, Colin & David the next, & then the pattern repeated! The final result was a friendly draw.
Playing against Cornwall’s Steve Ham & Mike Markin were Match Manager Iain Robertson & John Whitewood. Steve had a golden day meaning the Cornish pair were five up after six holes. Despite their best efforts the home team were unable to turn this around, finishing with a 5&4 defeat.
Somerset’s last pair, Tony Charalambous & Enmore member Martyn Clapp closed the match with Steve Churchill & Simon Tonkin. The game was played in good spirit with everyone enjoying the well-presented course. This was to be Somerset’s final flourish with Tony & Martyn winning 3&2.
So, a fabulous day of golf concluded with a 5&3 scoreline. Three wins to Cornwall, one to Somerset & no less than four halves.
Our thanks to every single player, Iain for Match Managing the day, & Enmore for laying on the sunshine!
