If part of the courses name is Hill and let the wind blow then maybe you should expect it to be a little breezy. This is what greeted Somerset Golf Captains as they played Gloucestershire Captains on a balmy day in May at Stinchombe Hill.
Well organised by Steve Parker on his first outing as Match Manager Somerset went out in their fourballs after good hospitality from the Gloucestershire players and the Club.
Captain of Captains Marcus Woodward and Phil Slater were worried as Trevor Stewart proceeded to record a birdie on the first hole. Trevor playing with Nigel Huggins for Gloucs could not shake the Somerset pair off and a birdie from Phil on the last meant that the match was halved in a well fought and enjoyable game.
Somerset’s Andrew Cardus Hall and Mark Swallow had a day to remember. Everything went right for Somerset and despite Chris Wagstaff and Derick Butler also playing well and being great company Somerset won the match 7 and 5.
The third game was the reverse with nothing going to plan for Chris Hyldon and Bill Bailey. Their opponents Jim Ford and Ian Watkins kept sinking long putt after long putt and Gloucs ran out winners 4 and 3.
A gentleman’s half after a good battle was the result of the match between Rob Darvell and Roger Gazzard for Somerset who played against Ben Homer and Mike Slatter. Despite being 2 up after 5 Somerset were pulled back to all square at the turn. Rob held a nice putt for a birdie on the 13th which then squared the match with all the rest of the holes being squared. Roger was told to write that Rob putted well.
Glyn Sewell and Richard Dore lost 3 and 2 against Gloucs Mark Anderson and Steve Yemm. The breeze made it a challenging course to play but Somerset had the opportunities but it was the putting of Gloucs that made the difference.
In the sixth match there was the hint of a little game play. Derek Newcombe (playing with Keith Hanson for Gloucs) was excellent company and gave the Somerset pair of Geoff Rooke and Mark Tidcombe excellent directional advice until on one occasion he placed the ball in the other direction! Somerset lost 4 and 2.
Somerset’s Peter Dawson and Phil Barrett also recorded a loss, this time of 2 and 1 against David Jones and Keith Ashenhurst in a great game played in a wonderful spirit.
In the last match Steve Parker and Paul Martin were always 40 yards behind Gavin Offord who also putted well. His partner Abdy Moszeynski kicked in when required led the final group to a Gloucs win of 3 and 1.
After the meal which was a very good carvery the result was announced as a 6 points to 2 points victory for Gloucestershire
