Clevedon Golf Club was the venue for the match between Somerset Golf Captains and Warwickshire Golf Captains on Monday, the 14th of June 2022.
Our last visit to Clevedon was in 2018 (four years ago) and we were met with a particularly warm welcome. A glorious sunny day with temperatures in the 20s and a gentle breeze provided perfect conditions for golf.
In match one, Rob Ford and Mike Morfitt were outplayed by a very good pair from Warwickshire. Both the company and the golf were very enjoyable, but Warwickshire won this game by the margin of 4&2.
In match two, John Beer and Geoff Rooke thoroughly enjoyed the game on a superb course. In fact, Somerset quickly went five up after seven holes and was still three up at the turn. Then Warwickshire sprung into life and the match went up the 18th with Somerset just one up. A half on the last was enough to secure a win for Somerset by the margin of 1 up.
In match three, Robert Hardy and Mike How enjoyed some fabulous company and a great course but the fairways were in the wrong places! And Somerset came a good second. Perhaps we should’ve played on a windy day! A victory for Warwickshire by the margin of 5&4.
In match four, Phil Barrett and Mark Moorfoot enjoyed a really enjoyable close game until the 16th hole. The Warwickshire Captains Alan and Mike started holing putts from everywhere! Very good company and superb weather but another win for Warwickshire by the margin of 3&2.
In match five, Keith Wiggins and Jim Skinner played a game in great spirit. Jim’s birdie on the 11th was decisive – even though he did play from the 18th rough! A win for Somerset by the margin of 2&1.
In match six, Colin Mantle and Rob Fear enjoyed a close game it was only decided by one of our guests from Warwickshire getting up and down from the bunker to win the last hole, and win the match by a margin of being 1 up.
ln match seven, Iain Robertson and Phillip Slater both used their shots well. They enjoyed some great company and it was good to play with two very good players from Warwickshire. Lots of friendly banter and a decisive win for Somerset by the margin of 7&6.
In match eight, Rich Bartin and Rob Hirons enjoy some really good company and they said it would’ve been a close match if Rob had had a partner!!! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed a tremendous round of golf but Somerset lost by the margin of 3 &1.
And so, the overall result was a victory for Warwickshire by the margin of 5 to 3. And so, Warwickshire retained the trophy which they won at Kenilworth last year.
Unfortunately ,the trophy had not made the journey down from Warwickshire and so an empty wine bottle made an impromptu substitution when the results were announced.
The quality of the food served to both teams after the match was absolutely first class and easily some of the best food we had enjoyed anyway during the course of this season. We would like to thank Clevedon Golf Club for their superb hospitality, their immaculate golf course, and the impeccable food.
We would also like to thank David Bate for his organisation as match manager including last minute re-arrangements to the team with the arrival of 17 players!!