The Four Counties Trophy is contested by teams from Berkshire, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Golf Captains playing a four ball better ball format with each County fielding six pairs, the best five scores counting towards the trophy and the sixth being used for countback purposes.
Somerset Captain of Captains, David Bate, hit the first tee shot with his partner, Keri Allchurch and Wiltshire’s first pairing, Captain Ian Armstrong and Steve Smith making up the first four ball. Both teams found the hot weather and fast running course a little difficult, returning 35 and 30 points respectively.
Captains Paul Gold from Berkshire and Peter Brickell from Dorset and partners Peter Spooner and Andrew Sutherland followed in Match 2 and Peter and Andrew set the tone of the day for Dorset, returning a fine 39 points whereas Paul and Peter from Berkshire could only muster 30 points. Dorset were to continue their fine form in the following matches with a creditable 34 point score eventually counting as their lowest.
As more scores were returned, it became clear that Somerset, Berkshire and Wiltshire would most likely be competing for the runner-up spot as Dorset’s scores remained high and included the best 18 score of the day, a fine 45 points for Peter Foster and David Woodruffe. Top scores for the other Counties were 40 points for Somerset President Roy Parmiter and partner Kevin Blakeley, 42 points for Alan Sweet and John Thorogood from Berkshire and 39 points for two Wiltshire pairs, Paul McLaughlin and Mike Bowes and Richard Hartley and Rod Grinsted.
As the final scores were totted up, Dorset ran out comfortable winners with their five best scores totalling 198, followed by Somerset with 187, Berkshire with 186 and finally Wiltshire with 184.
A great day concluded with a meal for all 48 players and the customary prize giving during which the history of the Four Counties event was described and its trophy, donated by former Berkshire Captain Tom Sherry and named after Sid Hoare, a great supporter of Berkshire Golf Captains, was presented to the Dorset team. As a former sales director of Brooke Bond, Sid is commemorated with a trophy in the form of a tea caddy, accompanied each year by some loose PG Tips tea. Well done Dorset!
Somerset President Roy Parmiter presented the prizes after the teams had enjoyed a fine meal and the friendships built over the past years.
Peter Foster and David Woodruffe won the two wine coasters for the best pair’s score with Berkshire’s Alan Sweet and John Thorogood and Wiltshire’s Paul McLaughlin and Mike Bowes winning the best front nine and back nine prizes respectively.
Nearest the Pin prizes were up for grabs on all five of Mendip Spring’s Par 3s and these were won by Paul McLaughlin (Wiltshire), Gary Edwards (Dorset), Keri Allchurch (Somerset), Nigel Mobbs (Dorset) and Ray Smith (Berkshire).
Finally, the victorious Dorset team, led by Captain Peter Brickell, were presented with the trophy and bottles of wine.
All those who played were appreciative of the fine course set-up, the catering and all-round service provided by Mendip Spring Golf Club to whom our thanks go. Also, many thanks to the Captain of Captains David Bate and all his helpers from Somerset Golf Captains in making this a great day. See you all next year at Cumberwell Park in Wiltshire!
Full Result sheet is here
