A cold start warmed up beautifully
through the morning (for most groups anyway) as the Juniors took on the Seniors
to try to wrest back the TSB Trophy on Carthagena yesterday (22nd October). 10
of the Juniors' best took on what the Seniors could muster in 5 matchplay
games. (Perhaps the counties could align their half-term weeks next year to
allow more to play!!!!!)
First out was Seniors'
Captain-for-the-day Bill Walker (Captain David Gauge being on holiday - again)
with his diminutive sidekick David Crosby, up against the formidable pairing of
Juniors' Captain Caitlin Thomas (5) and Vice-Captain Bradley "I got 3
birdies you know" Williams (SIXTEEN HANDICAP!!!!!!!! WHAT?). Bill and
David took turns to mess up holes, but also to scramble holes back until, all
square after 16, Bradley went for the 17th green from the tee. Anyway, now 1
up, the Seniors walked proudly onto the 18th tee and a half saw them prevail.
Seniors 1 Juniors 0.
In the second match Jess Sporle (8)
and Nathan Church (20) took on Michael Newstead and Peter Imray. Both Seniors
managed to keep up with their Junior opponents until the 18th - ah well. 1 game
each so far.
In the third game, Gerry Gentle
stopped me in the car park and told me he had played to his handicap (he always
does - tell me, I mean) but he and Steve Clark must have had tickets to the
cinema* as they abandoned their match on the 14th. James Stocks (12) and Archie
Black (22) took their 5 and 4 win in for an early lunch. Seniors 1 Juniors 2.
Does anyone have any spare
accommodation please? Keith Fuller is looking for a new home as, contrary to
Junior Organiser Sue Lee's instructions before they left the house, he and his
partner Neil Pinnington took a 4 and 3 win over Rachel George (16) and Owen
Williams (24). Ruthless! I have no doubt Rachel and Owen will be out for
revenge next year. 2 all.
In the final match decency emerged
as Algy Grimes and Ray Smart kindly let Tom Sennett (19) and Holly Gordon (26)
have a half - or was it the other way around?
In any case, the overall result was
a draw 2 and a half games each and so the Seniors RETAIN the TSB Trophy
for 2019. (Fist pump. YES! Oops sorry - that slipped out!) Seriously
though, there were actually two winners here:
· Youth: our Junior team showed what hope there is for all of
our futures, despite the impressions given of young people by a press motivated
more by sales than fair representation, and
· Golf: what other game sets etiquette and respect alongside
its rules, thus providing the platform for a thrilling game and continued
friendships, win or lose.
This was my first experience of the
TSB Trophy and I certainly don't want it to be my last. Thank you Sue and all
of your team. We're very proud of you all.
David Crosby
Honorary Secretary - John O'Gaunt
Golf Club Seniors' Section
*PS: You may be wondering which
film Gerry and Steve were going to see. It was "No Country for Old
Men"
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| Junior Captain - Caitlin Thomas and Bill Walker (Seniors Vice Captain) |
