Somerset Golf Captains travelled to the Wiltshire Hotel and Golf Club on Wednesday, the 20th of July 2022. The day started warm dry and sunny, but the light rain later in the afternoon came as a welcome relief from several days of scorching weather.
Match One.
Rob Ford and Glyn Sewell played against Jim Donald and Paul Shimell. An enjoyable game was had by all. Paul’s local knowledge and James’ short game soon resulted in a four hole lead. However some fine putting, and a birdie from Rob, got Somerset back to one down but they were not able to win the last, and lost by being two down.
Match Two
Peter Dawson and Marcus Woodward played against Melvin Stewart and Mike Venables A great game against Melvin and Mike who were very hospitable. Peter and Marcus dovetailed well and won by 5&4. The Wiltshire guys were very gracious and above all were very good company.
Match Three
Rich Bartin and Rob Hardy played against Andy Hatter and Wally Bryson. This was a very friendly game with Andy and Wally and never much difference in the scores despite Wally’s 11 shots! Honours were equally shared between Rob and Rich to bring home a win for Somerset by the margin of 2&1.
Match Four
Mike Poole and Phil Barrett played against Tiny Welford and Mark Hynes. Tony and Mark were great company and the competition was very tight right through the 18th. A great day finished with this match all square.
Match Five
Next for Somerset were Keri Allchurch and Phil Hodge who played against Pat Blake and Steve Coleman for Wiltshire. After the game Keri said “Hodgy is my hero! What a player!”. Somerset winning by the margin of 2&1.
Match Six
John Chillington and Nick Bye played against Andrew Hunter and Gerry Stack. A most enjoyable game great company and a very close game. Never more than one in it, until Somerset came out victorious on the 17th by the margin of 2&1.
Match Seven
Tony McCallum and Rob Hirons played against Jeremy Bowers and Dave Ruffett. A great match played in a wonderful spirit. Very tight throughout but Somerset winning by the margin of 3&2. What great company.
Match Eight
Last but not least, John Beer and Mark Moorfoot played against Ian Armstrong and Mike Bowes. The Somerset pair thoroughly enjoyed the company and the course. A promising start for Somerset when Mark birdied the second. But Ian played well on his home course (one under par after eight) and dovetailed well with Mike. Their local knowledge and steady golf resulted in a comfortable win for Wiltshire by the margin of 5&4.
On completion of all eight games, the overall result was Somerset Golf Captains 5 1/2; Wiltshire Golf Captains 2 1/2 and Somerset retained the trophy which they won last year at Taunton & Pickeridge.
The trophy for this match is actually two items. Following an appeal from a Somerset President of the past for a trophy for each match, a “gold” tie pin was presented by Dermot McHugh, a past Taunton and Pickeridge Captain. It is handed to the winning team to be worn at the annual challenge by the Captain of the team who hold the trophy.
Additionally there is a wood plaque and record of the match is added to the trophy after each encounter with a ball marker from the venue of the match. These details make up just some of the long history of the matches played against the Captains of Wiltshire.
After the match both teams enjoyed an extended social period in the bar whilst the kitchen prepared the food and, in their speeches, both Captains thanked the home club for their hospitality.
