The final match of the season started with a long drive from Somerset to Petersfield in Hampshire on a wet and windy day to play Hampshire Golf Captains at Petersfield Golf Club.
Despite a national fuel crisis, and a puncture in one of the Somerset cars, the Somerset team were keen and ready to complete the season in style.
In match one, Stephen Butterfield and Murray Parsons played against Hampshire President Brian Homerson, and club captain Gary Harfield. This was an entertaining match with much constructive banter and a half was a fair result. Thank you to Brian and Gary for their great company.
In match two, Somerset President Bob Acland and Mike Poole played against Hampshire Captain George Harris and his Vice Captain Roger Corkhill. This was a real quality match: very competitive and a great social game. The course and the company were very enjoyable, and Somerset would definitely come back again in the future! All square after 17, but Somerset won the 18th to finish one up!
In match three, John Beer and Rob Fear played against Graham Light and Mike Fisher. Superb greens; great company and a good time was had by all. This is what Captains’ Golf is all about! Somerset winning by the margin of 3&2.
In match four, Rob Ford and Mike Usher-Clark played against Brian Burgess and Adrian Judge. This was the last match for Brian as match manager for Hampshire. Fun, chat banter and a very honourable draw – a great afternoon.
In match five, Rob Hardy and Rob Hirons played against Pete Applegate and John Aspel. John and Peter were great company on an excellent course and the golf was competitive but always in a friendly spirit. The match was always close; but the two Robs from Wheathill just pulled away in the rain for a 3&2 victory.
In match six, Phil Barrett and Scott McKechnie played against Jon Pope and Mark Weston. After being three down (after three), Somerset struggled back to being one up – and eventually halved on the 18th. Shame about the weather but the company and the course were great. Scott even had a new tyre on his car when he came off!
In match seven, Rich Bartin and Geoff Rooke played against Tony Ransley and Paul Mantell. An excellent match played in a really friendly manner resulting in an amicable half. Many thanks to Tony and Paul for a great day.
And in the final match Roy Parmiter and Glyn Sewell played against Ken Jones and Alan Hadfield. Ken and Alan were very good company and both Colin and Roy had a great day. Too late birdies were enough for Hampshire to secure a victory by the margin of 4&2.
And so the overall result was Somerset 5 Hampshire 3; and Somerset retained the trophy for another year.
The players then enjoyed a delicious three course meal before Brian Homersham and Stephen Butterfield delivered their gracious and witty speeches.
We would like to thank Roy Parmiter for his organisation and administration of the event.
We look forward to welcoming Hampshire back to Somerset next year when the match will be played at the Mendip Golf Club