A very sunny but windy day welcomed Somerset and Oxfordshire Golf Captains to Brean Golf and Country Club on Thursday 20th April 2023 to kick off our respective 2023 County Matches. Despite the amount of rain that had fallen during March and April, the greenkeeping staff had prepared the course amazingly well and both teams were eager to get their season underway with a win.
In Match One, Somerset Captain of Captains David Bate partnered 2005 Captain of Captains and 1989 Brean Captain Brian Reeves against Oxfordshire Captain of Captains Keith Henley and partner Mike Pennick. Somerset were one down after the first but then Brian started motoring to take Somerset to 3up by the 12th despite Keith being within 6 inches of a hole in one on the 7th. Somerset eventually won 4&3. An excellent game, played in good spirit on a lovely course and with a great set-up for both our lunch and dinner.
Match Two saw Steve Butterfield pair up with Chris Warcup against Graham Henley and Alan Gray. After taking a 3 hole lead it all went wrong for Somerset! The best 18 handicapper in Oxfordshire turned up with his steady partner and Oxfordshire eventually took the lead which Somerset could not regain. A fine game, played in good spirit on a course which stood up well to the previously wet weather. A loss by 2&1 for Somerset.
Match Three saw Somerset Captain Elect Mike Rossiter pair up with Jim Boyce against Robert Stroud and Graham Robinson. The Somerset pair report that it was a challenging match as they were outplayed by two extremely good handicap players. The day was enjoyable but hard work! Oxfordshire ran out comfortable winners, 3&2.
In Match Four, Glyn Sewell teamed up with Tony Taylor against Paul Brain and Dave Dobson. Somerset got off to a quick start and managed to keep the pressure on their Oxford friends. Despite a fightback, Tony stepped up to match the opposition and Somerset eventually ran out winners by 3&2.
Match 5 was a tight affair which ended in a loss for Somerset by 1 hole on the last green. Derek Hanson and Phill Barret enjoyed the great company of Martin Hawkins and Richard Green as well as the sunny weather.
Match Six saw Richard Clist and Colin Davies for Somerset take on Hans Menzel and Mike Cahill for Oxfordshire. Great company on and off the course and Richard played some awesome golf early on with Colin joining him from time to time. The conditions were tough as was the rough! Both pairs had a great day out with Somerset winning 6&5.
Match Seven saw John Beer and partner Andy Williams team up against Oxford President Tim Nunneley and his partner Mike Atkins. They had a great game, unfortunately Tim had an off day but Mike more than made up for it. Somerset managed to scrape a win by 2&1.
The final match saw Maddie Casson team up with Nick Prince to play Glyn Hall and Ollie Bowden. It was a really good game of golf with very good company. The game was almost gone after 8 holes when Somerset were already 5 down! But they rallied and took the game to the 18th where Oxford secured a win by 2 holes.
So, an exciting halved match concluded with four wins which resulted in Somerset retaining the shield for another year. Both teams enjoyed excellent hospitality from the Brean G&CC team in the outstanding new clubhouse and everyone departed having met up with old friends and made some new ones.
Our thanks to Match Manager John Beer and his opposite number Tim Nunneley for sorting the pairings and making the match arrangements. Congratulations to Captains David Bate and Keith Henley on their first County matches of the season for both being able to move on with unbeaten records!
