Under Mike Rossiter, our new Captain of Captains, Somerset Past Captains travelled to Chipping Norton to play at the Cotswold Club against the Oxfordshire Past Captains.
Ever hopeful that we would retain the shield Mike played with Geoff Rooke in the first group hoping to set the standard. Unfortunately Somerset were 3 down after 4 holes with home captain Stuart Temple ‘playing out of his skin’. Aided by Terry Killick and despite the efforts of Somerset, the home team maintained this lead to win on the 16th.
Phil Barrett played with Clive Stilwell in the second group and a see-saw game proceeded to take place on a well-presented parkland course ideal for such a contest. With holes swapped as the round progressed Somerset created a 3-hole lead that due to the good play of the Oxfordshire players, Ben Spiero and David Ryan decreased later in the round. Holding on to win by 1 up Somerset leveled the overall match.
The weather was sunny with only a gust or two to tug at the clothing but in the third match Rob Fear and Mike Poole representing Somerset remembered their winter exploits and skied downhill to lose 5 and 4 against Andrew Quinn and Alan Gray in a friendly encounter.
There was a distinct difference in stature for the players in the fourth group. John Urban and Roger Davies for Oxfordshire grew into the game, playing well and hitting a long ball to defeat John Perkins and Chris Bryant 2 and 1.
The novelty of the ball running along the fairways saw Glyn Sewell and Rob Hardy for Somerset off to a quick start. This soon waned and Chris Spearing and Danny Fois pulled holes back, winning the last to half the match.
As with all the matches the great company and camaraderie was well in evidence on the Sixth Group. After losing the first John Beer and Colin Mantle rallied to lead by 3 at the turn. 3 pars from Colin stifled the comeback from the Oxfordshire pair of Keith Henley and John Tugwell with John Beer winning the 16th hole for a 3 and 2 victory for Somerset.
With the score 3½ to 2½ a win was needed from the seventh group. Phil Slater playing with Ian Gover took part in a close and entertaining fourball against Darren Cadman and David Lakin. Somerset went 3 up only to be pegged back. Winning the 16th hole was the key that allowed Somerset to win 1 up in a keenly contested match.
The last match was the decider. A game of two halves led to Somerset leading at the turn. With no putts going in for Somerset’s Stephen Butterfield and John Chillington, the Oxfordshire pair of Peter Walton and John Waring won 1 up.
With thoughts of how wonderful it was to be back playing golf without getting wet and muddy and with many players playing 18 holes for the first time in a long while, conversation at the well-received meal turned to the glories of Past Captains golf.
With the final score of 4½ to 3½ Oxfordshire were presented with the shield for the first time in a many years.
