The members of the tour team met up at Chesterton Valley Golf Club anticipating the first day of the tour.
The view over the valley that led down to the golf course looked as if it was going to present some interesting problems especially on the (very) slow greens.
Chris Reed joined John Perkins in the first pair and unfortunately Bob Holloway and Don Cross were too strong with Somerset losing the opening match 3 and 2.
In the second match the Somerset players had to ask the questions whether Dog Licenses were still valid as they lost 7 and 6 playing the opposition who had lots of shots. Ignominiously Mike Rossiter and Rob Hirons walked off the course after 13 holes with Ken Butler and Martin Statham accompanying being the victorious pair. This episode became the talk of the tour.
Rob Ford and Geoff Rooke managed to turn the tide slightly after a poor start and playing in the true tradition of Captains Golf came out with a half against Jerry Dutton and Malcolm Williams.
Kevin Jones and Barry Pilgrim were playing well for Shropshire, but the Somerset pair of Marcus Woodward and Jeff Saunders played that little bit better and won 2 and 1.
We now go to the next three games which were all halved.
Matt Lazenby and Ian Gover exchanged banter and the lead with Rob Challinor and Phil Lawrenson several times. Despite Matt’s excellent play Somerset were pegged back on the 17th. A half was agreed on the 18th tee.
David Brammer and Phil Lawrenson for Shropshire came out with all guns firing in their match against Rob Fear and Martin Morgan. Somerset reeled them in and in winning the 18th secured a draw for the visitors.
Having gone 4 down after a few holes the Somerset pair of Paul Chesney and Maddie Casson continued to battle ended up level going to the 18th. A gentleman’s agreement on the last gave an ‘all square’ result. Well done to Paul in playing his first game for 6 months!
Glyn Sewell held Somerset together with Colin Davies putting in the occasional appearance. Their opposition of Mike Kavanagh and Paul Millington did not combine as well leading to a 3 and 2 victory for Somerset.
A drawn match played in a wonderful atmosphere led to the Somerset Captains of Captains stating that Somerset were ‘saving on engraving costs’.
