Somerset Golf Captains welcomed Dorset Golf Captains to Taunton and Pickeridge on an unusually dry and sunny day. Dorset Captain of Captains Peter Brickell was unable to play, and Vice-Captain Dave Picton stood in for him. To further deplete the Dorset team who had won the Four Counties Trophy on Somerset soil earlier in the season, one of their players thought the match was a week later so Game 4 ended up as 2 versus 1!
Home advantage was expected to be a factor with T&P’s undulating fairways and difficult and long Par 4s making it a tough course for any visitor. Some early wins were anticipated to build on the recent success at Droitwich which it was hoped would be a turning point in an otherwise “middle of the road” season for SGC.
The course was in its usual excellent condition as Captain of Captains David Bate led the Somerset team out with partner Kevin Jackson. A strong team on paper you would think, but the match was never really in doubt as Dave Picton and Brian Handford played some great golf to open up a lead that Somerset never threatened. Hands were shaken on the 15th green with Dave and Brian winning by 4&3.
Dorset coming out of the blocks early proved to be a recurring theme in the first matches as Andrew Cardus-Hall and Phil Slater took on Nigel Mobbs and Jim Allan in Game Two. Nigel and Jim were described as “Dick Turpins without the masks” as they saw off Andrew and Phil on the 16th hole with a 2-up margin. Despite the loss the Somerset pair enjoyed the company enormously and kept their heads held high.
With Derek Hanson and Mike Snaith going out third against Peter Foster and Rob Dean, SGC were hoping for a change in fortune. Alas, Peter and Rob proved to be much the stronger pair throughout and triumphed by 5&4. Three matches down was not in the team talk and it became obvious that a major turn around would be needed if the trophy was to remain in Somerset hands.
A confusion in dates left Dorset a player down in Match Four and despite Hugh Lawes’ best efforts, Keri Allchurch and John Perkins romped home by 7&6 in a match with great banter and company. This was a Somerset pairing that would have been a tough match for anyone let alone a player on his own! Well done to Hugh for sticking to his task!
John Whitewood and Graham Load took on David Woodroffe and Ian Bakewell in Match Five and raced into an early lead which had reached 3 holes by the turn. A valiant fightback began but John and Graham held Dorset off to win a very enjoyable match on the 17th by 3&1.
The gap was down to one as attention turned to Match Six in which Richard Clist and Chris Hyldon took on the Dorset pair of Tony Howe and John Knight. This match also proved to be rather one-sided with Richard and Chris 4 holes ahead after seven – a position they never looked like losing due to some very good golf and dovetailing. The match ended on the 13th hole with Somerset winning by 6&5 to level the overall scores at 3–3.
So, another close finish to a fixture was guaranteed as the team from the west of Bob Arthington and Steve Butterfield took on Phil Purvis and Brian Walsh. Despite taking an early lead, Somerset were regularly pegged back, and the result was in doubt all the way to the end. Steve and Bob managed to stay ahead though and pipped the Dorset pair by 1 hole at the 18th.
Bob Smith and Match Manager Iain Robertson were the Somerset anchor pair, pitted against Simon Etherington and Bill Kent needing just a half for an overall win. Dorset President Bill was a tough competitor despite his “seniority” in the group at the age of 81. It was also Simon’s first outing at T&P so with Iain’s local knowledge it was perhaps no surprise that the home team stayed in touch throughout the match to grab the honourable half which resulted in an overall win for Somerset by 4 ½ to 3 ½.
The Dorset team clearly enjoyed the hospitality and warm welcome from both the home club and from the Somerset team. Accepting the unique Trophy from David Picton, Captain of Captains David Bate thanked the weather gods for a respite from the wind and rain and to Match Manager Iain Robertson for a great day out for both teams.
Next up is a trip to Dinas Powys to tackle the South Wales Coast.
