Somerset Golf Captains arrived at a drizzly but humid Weston super Mare to play the Ladies Past Captains, hoping that a win could be on the cards after so many narrow defeats this season. Worlebury Golf Club was in excellent condition despite the heavy morning rain and although it appeared in the shape of a few showers in the afternoon, an entertaining and hard-fought match ensued – very much in the tradition of the fixture.
The two teams agreed to follow the WHS allowances and play a four-ball match play format with the appropriate levelling shots being applied. This led to some teams conceding quite a few shots although the wet rough and slow fairways more than compensated for this in most of the matches. As usual, spouses were kept well apart and home clubs were mixed up as much as possible.
As the away team, SGC were given the honour on the first tee and Captain David Bate teamed up with Marcus Woodward to take on Ladies Match Captain Claire Biggs and partner Shannen Smith in the first match. The match always seemed to be going the way of the Men but it was played in a great spirit and was enjoyed by all four players. SGC secured the point on the 13th hole with a big win for Captain David and Marcus by 6&5.
Match 2 pitted Ian Gover and Tim Nicholls against Sue Stilwell and Ros Gait – Sue and Tim were level on handicaps on the day which proved to be decisive as he and Ian stretched out an early lead. Ian was particularly solid on the day with Tim a bit more “variable”, but they dovetailed well to come home winners by 5&3, avoiding the long walk back down 16, 17 and 18 and enabling an earlier than expected appearance in the bar!
In Match 3, Iain Roberston teamed up with Rob Moss against Worlebury player Janet Fear and Gwen Cavill in a game where the shots given were always likely to prove a challenge for the Men. Janet’s’ local knowledge proved particularly useful and despite a number of gross and net birdies, Iain and Rob could not keep up with the Ladies who ran out winners on the 15th green by 4&3.
Clive Stilwell and Rob Ford teamed up to play Di Yates and Lyn Gridley in Match 4. Early holes were exchanged with some good and bad golf and the match seemed closely poised after 9 holes at all square. The next five holes saw Rob and Clive manage to half one hole all but powerless to stop losing the other four to the Ladies with a net eagle, thanks to Di chipping in for a birdie with a shot, and three net birdies between them. Needless to say, the game was up, and hands were shaken after 15 holes and a 4&3 win for the Ladies.
Match 5 saw President Roy Parmiter and Geoff Rooke take on Sue Chambers and Yvonne Bate in a friendly and enjoyable match. After losing the first hole, the Men opened up a lead, of 2 holes only for the Ladies to level the match on the back nine and then take the lead after the 16th. Roy and Geoff bravely squared the match on the 17th only to lose the 18th and the match by 1 hole. The Ladies had reversed their poor start and were now 3-2 ahead.
Match 6 pitted Glyn Sewell and Ian Suttle against Sally Dymock and Sue Acland. The game was tight early on but the SGC pairing took the lead and began to draw ahead, despite their best efforts the Ladies could not halt the slide, so hands were shaken on the 14th with a 6&4 win for SGC which levelled the overall scores.
Mike Usher-Clark and Mike Snaith were up next against Sandra Ford and Mel Rossi. The match was played in the true spirit of mixed golf and, according to the Ladies, was won by some excellent golf and a long string of pars from Mike and Mike which they were unable to resist. The game finished on the 15th with SGC running out winners by 5&3.
So, with a half point needed for victory, Brian Reeves and Martin Yates were up against Sue Kinch and Elisa Vail in the final match. The Ladies used their shots to great effect throughout a close and enjoyable game making two net twos in the process! The four headed down the final three holes level and the match went all the way to the 18th where the putts went the way of the Men who triumphed by 1 hole to give SGC the overall win, 5 – 3.
Worlebury Golf Club were great hosts on the day, and we would like to thank Roy Baker and the whole team for the hospitality, course conditions and excellent catering. Special thanks to Mark for his patience in the kitchen as the time for dinner came and went with matches still being played!
Next up, SGC entertain Sussex at Wells Golf Club.
