With the weather continuing to be warm & very dry, the scene was set at Sherborne for the match against Dorset. Unfortunately, our Captain of Captains, Marcus, was still injured but was determined to be part of the day enjoying the post-match food & presentation with the rest of the team.
Leading Somerset out in the first group were Steve Butterfield, previous Captain of Captains, & Phil Hodge. Their playing partners Phil Purvis, Dorset’s Captain of Captains, & Richard Jones, Sherborne’s Vice Captain, were unfortunately on the receiving end of good dovetailing & an unexpected positive 4&2 Somerset result!
Close behind them, President Iain Robertson & David Andow were battling with Dorset’s President Pete Foster & Tony Howe. The Somerset self-pronounced ‘has-beens’ showed they still have what it takes & brought the match to a conclusion with a 3&2 victory.
Chris Hyldon & Phil Stone enjoyed a great match with Hugh Lawes & Eddie Galjaard. There were numerous gross & net birdies, but the Somerset pair reached dormie on the 14th with the Dorset pair holding on until they finally conceded defeat on the 16th.
The first loss of the day came in the fourth match. Dorset’s Pat Crane & Gordon Mutton were too good for Dave Boulton & Mike Poole, putting in 40 footers to win 5&4.
Ian Robson & Colin Davis, Somerset’s Vice President, played a tough match. Their opponents Neil Paul & Barry Moore enjoyed some splendid golf but also endured some wicked bounces. Ian & Colin stuck to their game plan & eventually won 4&3.
With the score 4-1 in Somerset’s favour Clive Stilwell & Rob Load experienced the see-saw match of the day. The score was close throughout the match, never more than 2 holes up or down. Again, there were numerous birdies but an equal number of outrageous bounces that kept the match very much alive. In the end, a gentleman’s half was called as they approached the 18th all square.
In match 7 it soon became apparent that pars, & even birdies, were not enough to win holes. Somerset’s Treasurer & Match Manager, Paul Chesney played with Phil Turvill against John Skinner & Ian Bakewell. From Somerset’s perspective, the game was a downhill battle from the outset, but they did well to draw the game out, finally conceding 4&3 on the 15th.
George Davis & Graham Load brought up Somerset’s rearguard with James Burleigh & Frank Martin. The first few holes were up & down but then the match settled into a close battle until the evergreen George parred six holes in a row! The enjoyable match finished in Somerset’s favour on the 15th with a 4&3 win.
Unfortunately, the trophy had ‘bounced’ (somewhere in Dorset) so we had to be content with an ice-bucket while we await the real trophy!
As ever, our thanks go to everyone at the host club – Sherborne Golf Club, all the players on both sides, the Match Managers – & on this occasion every bounce that went Somerset’s way to help us to our 5 ½ 2 ½ victory!
