Somerset Golf Captains travelled to Glamorgan after the narrowest of wins against Dorset, determined to add another victory to a season that has been littered with close matches. A bright and sunny day greeted the players when they arrived at Dinas Powys Golf Club and the view from the Clubhouse suggested a gently undulating parkland course which would surely give Somerset every chance of an elusive away win, especially as the previous meeting here in 2016 resulted in a narrow win for Somerset. Ahead by one match in the twenty odd meetings between the two teams, Somerset were raring to go. But the few Somerset players who had played here before knew that the first seven holes were merely a prelude to a hilly, almost mountainous course beyond.
Originally a 9 hole course which opened in 1914, Dinas Powys was extended to 18 holes in 1921 with the help of James Braid, the Open Champion. Despite a wrangle between members over playing golf on Sundays, the club went from strength to strength. In 1951, the captain at the time was seeking ways and means to replace a very broken-down gate and at a social function accompanied by other members of Dinas Powis he persuaded his friends to provide a new gate. As the bargain was sealed over a drink the clock struck one, and the obvious name “One O’clock Gate” was agreed. It now forms a talking point for all visitors, set between the 7th/8th holes and the 15th/16th holes. The new extension to the Clubhouse also bears the same name.
Captain David Bate and partner Bob Acland led the way taking on SW Coast Captain Viv Morgan and DP Club Captain Mike Norris. There was a suspicion that local knowledge might be factor and so it proved with Viv and Mike pulling ahead early and finishing the match at the 14th with a 5&4 victory. The four enjoyed great company and had a great day.
Match 2 saw Somerset President Roy Parmiter and partner Mike Bovingdon take on Mike Smith and Richard Hird. Mike B’s previous membership of Dinas Powys proved to be a major factor as he and Roy were able to gel together and play some excellent golf. Despite a close match, Somerset prevailed at the 16th hole, winning by 3&2.
Third out was the strong-looking pairing of Keri Allchurch and Geoff Rooke matched up against Dilwyn Bull and DP member Stuart Walker. Dilwyn’s bright orange shorts were a prelude his full Monty suit of orange after the match – a man of bright colours indeed. The golf was very much a one-way street for Somerset but with a no-entry sign at the start! Keri told everyone they had been mullered which of course they were with a “dog’s licence” 7&6 victory for SW Coast whose golf was almost faultless.
Match 4 saw Glyn Sewell and Rob Ford up against John Linton and Paul Hollyman. The seasoned Somerset pair were behind early but dragged the match back only to lose 6 consecutive holes around the middle of the round. Despite another rally, Somerset were unable to extend the match beyond the 16th where SW Coast won by 4&2.
The fifth Somerset pair were Graham Loader and SGC Secretary Clive Stilwell up against Colin Davies and Andy Eveleigh. The lead swapped hands on numerous occasions throughout the match but there was never more than one hole in it, thanks to a long run of pars from Clive and some solid play from Graham on his stroke holes. Colin was often driving well past the rest of the group and receiving 14 shots which meant the game was never safe. Graham came good on the 14th and 15th putting Somerset two holes ahead and the game was sealed on the 16th with a 3&2 win.
In Match 6, Andy Williams and Matt Lazenby took on Steve Powell and Bill Clarke, two experienced and wily competitors who never let the Somerset pair in, pulling out a 6 hole lead around the half way point. Somerset salvaged some pride on the back nine but the inevitable happened on the 14th with a 5&4 win for the SW Coast lads.
Match 7 pitted web manager Ian Gover and Andrew Cardus-Hall against Mike Braithwaite and D Lacy. Having to give a bucket load of shots to very consistent opponents proved too much for the Somerset pair. They were down by 4 holes at the turn and could not change the course of the match, losing by 5&4.
This mean that Match 8 could only determine the margin of victory with Match Manager Steve Butterfield and Fixture Secretary Rob Fear up against Graham Bartley and B Malcolm. The match proved to be a close affair for 14 holes but the Somerset pair then drew away decisively and won on the 16th by 3&2.
So an overall loss by 5 matches to 3 drew the two groups level in overall matches at eleven apiece with 5 halved. Despite the loss, the Somerset team really enjoyed the challenging course and the treacherous greens that had twice the break you would read!
The hospitality was outstanding from our Welsh counterparts and the oriental buffet provided by the catering team proved to be very popular with everyone. The long trek back with roadworks littering the M4 did little to help the Somerset boys’ day!
Gwent are next up, and with a few SW Coast Captains in the team, revenge might be sweeter at Tall Pines!
