Another halved match against Hampshire despite the Barton Adder!
Somerset Golf Captains continued their solid start to the 2023 season with a hard-earned half at Hampshire at the wonderful Barton on Sea course. A fine day with just a moderate breeze greeted the teams for their match on one of Hampshire’s finest courses with a Clubhouse to match and stunning views across the Solent. This was a new venue for the Somerset team, but it proved to be another very close match!
Somerset lost Match Manager Mike Usher-Clark at short notice due to a domestic emergency, but Steve Butterfield kindly stepped in to play.
Despite the long journey, Somerset raced out of the traps quickly in Match one in which Captain David Bate and partner Paul Middleton took on Hampshire Captain Roger Corkhill and partner Don Goss. The “gem of a course” was in great condition as the pairs played an interesting front nine ending with the match poised at all square. Somerset then pulled three holes clear and ended the match on the 17th, winning by 2 and 1.
Match two saw President and stand in Match Manager Roy Parmiter with Captain Elect Mike Rossiter, take on Hampshire President George Harris and his partner Kevin White. A friendly and close match was played in the right spirit with good banter throughout. Despite it taking some time for the putts to start dropping for Somerset, a close finish ensued with Hampshire eventually taking the point.
In Match three, Rick Metcalfe teamed up with Scott McKechnie for a fantastic game against Idris Vernall and Tom Smith. Although they were 1 down at the turn, Somerset turned on the heat with Scott winning 4 holes on the trot from the 14th and Somerset prevailed. Idris and Tom were great company and told some entertaining stories.
Match Four pitted Somerset’s Fixture Secretary Rob Fear and partner Mike Snaith against Graham Light and Mike Fisher. A most enjoyable game was played on a very attractive course with Mike in particularly good form. The highlights of the day were seeing an Adder on the tee on the 5th hole and the eventual victory for Somerset, putting the team 3-1 up – an away win on the cards perhaps?
In Match five, Colin Davies and Rich Bartin took on Paul Child and Andy Hoult. The banter was good but unfortunately the golf played by Somerset was not up to scratch. Colin played well but struggled on the greens and Rich said he possibly should have left his clubs at home! A win for Hampshire duly followed.
Match six pitted Mark Moorfoot and Mike Poole against Brian Mortimer and Brian Homersham. In a great match with great company. Despite being 4 down, Mark reportedly began playing like he could walk on water, turning a two hole deficit to a four hole advantage in one fell swoop! This enabled Somerset to post another win and the whole fixture looked like it could go our way.
Match seven saw Adrian Deakins and Keith Norcutt take on Trevor Sharp and Adrian Bell in a match that saw Adrian giving lots of shots! A delightful course with amazing views and delightful company proved the highlight for Somerset in this match as Hampshire dove-tailed very well to see off the Somerset challenge for a home win and ensure the match went down to the last group.
In Match eight, late replacement Steve Butterfield and partner Chris Hyldon took on Alan Peters and Barry Stevens. The course was wonderful to play with a delightful pairing from Hampshire and the score belied some great golf – the eventual loss was only confirmed by two home net birdies after a very close match and hands were shaken on the 16th.
So another away match was halved in 2023 but the Somerset Cup was retained and driven back across southern England following the halved match at The Mendip in 2022 and the win at Petersfield in 2021. Barton on Sea will be long remembered as an outstanding venue despite the rather alarming wildlife!
