With Enmore resplendent in the wonderful May sunshine Somerset Past Captains welcomed their friends from Hampshire.
After the winter layoff many found the ups and downs of the hills on a well-maintained course a challenge, but this did not stop the camaraderie and friendship of the players shine through a very enjoyable match with many close results.
Mike Rossiter, Captain of Captains, started the match playing with Rhys Morgan, Captain of Enmore who was a generous host, played Paul Mantel and Alan Peters. In a match where birdies were the order of the day a cracking match played with sportsmanship saw a fair half agreed on the 18th.
Dave Willis, playing in his first Past Captains Match played with Rob Darvell against the Hampshire pair of Idris Vernal and Roger Corkhill. Taking to it like a duck out of water Dave chipped in on the first! Despite going 2 up Somerset were pegged back and a half was the result.
Playing with Angela Baker, Geoff Rooke were unfortunately playing the ‘too hot to handle’ pair of Andy Holt and Dave Pack. Despite a fight back and being only one down at the turn the Somerset pair lost 4 and 3.
Scintillating golf was played in the 4th match, but unfortunately the Somerset pair of Peter Dawson and John Shakesby lost a very pleasurable round of golf on the last to the Hampshire pair of Adrian Bell and John Smyth.
Somerset were now two down and would need a turn around from the final 4 matches. Led in the fifth group by Roy Parmiter and Colin Davies playing the Brian’s Mortimer and Homersham Somerset started their comeback. In a game of two halves Colin played well and was instrumental in winning the match 3 and 2 with a very good back nine.
The match was levelled by Ian Gover and Keri Allchurch. Despite playing Mr Tall and his taller brother (Barry Stevens and Don Goss), Somerset did not come up short coming back to win 2 and 1 in a match which demonstrated how matchplay was won not by the ability to play outstanding golf but simply by getting the ball in the hole for less shots than the opposition.
Barry Saunders and Phil Barrett (now known as Super Sub) led the Hampshire pair of Chris Drew and Kevin White on the front nine. The Hampshire kicked themselves into action and then rather ‘rudely’ holed putt after putt on the back nine. Somerset hung on for victory on the last hole.
In placing himself in the last pair the Match Manger Rob Fear accompanied by Nigel Phillips knew how to win a match and despite going 5 up early on experienced a fight back from Martin Bennet and Eamonn Shiels. The Irish blarney from Eamonn was not enough to turn the result and the match ended up as a 5 and 4 victory for Somerset.
After a well-earned and enjoyable meal Mike received the Cup finally breaking a run of halved matches after a 5 and 3 victory for Somerset.
Thanks to the team at Enmore, from those that prepared the course to those preparing the food and serving drinks for a well organised and agreeable day.
Now we only have to teach Mike how to fold the banners…….
