In a tetradecagon competition with 2 players from the Past Captains being pressed ganged into the SGU Executive side the players met at Worlebury Golf Club.
With many players from both sides knowing each other there was a very warm atmosphere to the lunch. Promised no rain during the day by Jim Skinner, President of the SGU, everyone made sure they had umbrellas and went to the first tee. This proved an issue for one player who had left his golf shoes in his ‘other’ car and had to buy a new pair. You will be able to spot the new glowing white shoes in the photos.
The first match started well for the Executive with Andy Carter, playing with Jim Skinner, making a birdie on the first. They maintained this lead until the 12th hole when a lucky chip turned the tide in favour of John Perkins and Graham Hewlett. Despite seagull interference the Somerset Past Captains then pulled away to win 4 and 3.
Marcus Woodward and Mike Rossiter played Paul Michell and John Parker in the next match and despite a near death experience on the 10th hole (see next match report) they played ‘good and bad’ golf but kept relatively dry. Somerset played a little better than the Executive and won 3 and 1.
The cause of the previous groups rapid examination of life insurance policies was Ian Poole (playing with Sam Hughes) who had struggled off the previous tees. On the 10th his best drive was followed by his approach shot which hit a tree and ricocheted dangerously near the group in front. Mike kindly teed the ball up and a magnificent pitch and putt led to the Executive winning the hole. However they could not hold off Keri Allchurch and Kev Blakely who won their match 3 and 1.
In a really close match which saw flocks of birdies and an eagle from the Executive team of Roy Baker and Richard Dix, Maddie Casson and Glyn Sewell scrambled a few pars with some great long putts. A very enjoyable match ended in a half.
Geoff Rawle and Nigel Phillips went 3 up against Ben Josham and Norman Banfield but then lost 5 holes in a row. The resurgent Executive side were making a come back and won this match 2 and 1.
The sixth match started well with both sides playing relatively well. Gordon Phillips and Dave Josham playing for the Executive chipped in for 2 on the 7th hole and Dave Willis and Rob Hirons were then playing catch up for the rest of the round. The Past Captains were well beaten 5 and 4.
The match was now 3½ to 2½ and the result was down to last group.
Steve Butterfield and Ian Gover had been transferred to the Executive and played Rob Ford and Match Manager Roy Parmiter. In what was a very tight game with only 6 halved holes the lead changed several times. Each pair would win a hole only to lose the next. Each player contributed to the game and a half was a fair result.
This led to a final result of a 4 to 3 win for the Past Captains although Jim Skinner claimed that the result, being the closest result for a few years was actually a positive for the Executive. As he had promised everyone that it would not rain no one listened to him. John Perkins thanked all the players that had played throughout the season and received the plate that would now cause the treasurer to increase our costs at the engravers.
A wonderful day, with a splendid meal and fully supported by Worlebury Golf Club ended the season of matches for the Past Captains.
