A pleasant journey of about an hour through the Surry Hills brought the travelling Somerset Golf Captains team from Burgess Hill to the West Surrey Golf Club at Godalming on Friday, the 13th of May.
And what an impressive golf club – set in rolling English countryside where every hole takes your breath away when you stand on the tee!!
Warm sunshine and glorious surroundings greeted both teams as they gathered on the patio and we served with a delicious ploughman’s lunch at 12.30pm before the teams were announced.
In match one, Somerset Captain Rob Ford played with Jeff Saunders against the Surrey captain Eddie Wheeler and his Surrey match manager Stephen Woodward. This was a stunning course with some excellent company but the result was not so good for Somerset, who lost by the margin of 2&1. The Somerset players agreed that they would love to play here again.
In match two, Glyn Sewell and Paul Middleton played against the president Richard Broderick and Alasdair Cockburn. The weather was good; the course was great; and the company was even better. Nip and tuck for the first nine but Somerset couldn’t match Richard and Alasdair through the back nine and lost by the margin of 5&4.
In match three, Mike How and Geoff Rooke played against Danny Flowers and Danny Rogers. 10 out of 10 for the course but only 5 out of 10 for the golf! Great company but beaten up by the two Danny’s and lost by 3&2.
In match four, Phil Barrett and Nick Prince played against Philip Hammond and Richard Kennett. A great course and some competitive golf with good company. Somerset lost by 2&1 but agreed these were the best showers ever.
In match five, Vice-President Roy Parmiter and his partner Chris Warcup played against Lucas Kirk and Tim Ledeboer. This was a wonderful course and the weather was lovely; great company and a hugely enjoyable day. Some very good golf played by both sides unfortunately most of it by Surrey – who won by 3&2.
In match six, Stephen Butterfield and David Andow played against Ravi Patel and Monty Powell. Somerset were putted off the course by two pleasant gentleman from Surrey -but enjoyed the course and the company hugely. Another win for Surrey by the margin of two holes.
In match seven, Murray Parsons and Colin Davis played against Ewan Bennett and Nigel Smith. The course was really worth a visit and our hosts were great company and very hospitable – the food was very good. Nigel and Evan slotted in better than Murray and Colin to win by 4&2.
The final match saw Secretary Jon Beer play with a guest player from Surrey – Nigel Palmer against Alan Tickner and David Woolmer.This was, in fact, Nigel’s second appearance for Somerset as a guest after being called up at short notice several years ago to play for us at West Hill. Nigel started off very well and the game was always very tight before Somerset managed to go one up after 16 – and then hold on to secure the only point of the day for the visitors!
So the overall result was Somerset 1 Surrey 7!
Both teams were treated to a superb meal in the impressive clubhouse before Captains Rob and Eddie made their speeches and the trophy was returned to Surrey for safekeeping. Eddie did point out that Somerset’s only point was only secured by a Surrey player!
Surrey always look after us very well and this was no exception. Fantastic hospitality at a truly superb golf course – played in the right spirit with good friends old and new. Thank you.
After a long day, the Somerset players face the long journey home. We all agreed, however, that the two days in Sussex and Surrey had been great fun and the mini-tour had been a great success.
