Organiser Gerry Degaute reports on a closely-fought match
Due to our hosts being able to get together only 12 players the match was restricted to 6 games. I was very grateful to our 4 who stood down and I was very pleased that they were still able to enjoy a friendly 4 ball and enjoy the facilities at Harpenden Common.
The course was in good condition and the greens, to quote our Captain, were “Augustaesque”.
There were a good number of birdies from both sides and it was great viewing, to watch them go in on the par 3 18th from the comfort of the clubhouse patio, whilst sipping a well deserved tipple on a very warm early Autumn day.
The first game in, saw us go one down losing 4&3. Game 2 saw our Captain and Organiser fight out a really tight duel; we were 2 down after 13 and then drew level, only for the Organiser to three putt the 16th. Parity was restored on the 17th, so we stood all square on the 18th tee. We both found the same greenside bunker and then, failing to “sand save”, we lost one down.
Games 3 and 4 both went our way, winning 1 up with a birdie on the 18th and a comfortable 3&2, with yet another birdie on the last hole. Unfortunately the penultimate game saw us go down 4&3, so with one game left out on the course we were 3-2 down.
The tension was mounting in the clubhouse with our Captain looking over my shoulder as the last game prepared to hit their tee shots; the game was all square. One player from each side hit the green and our man was nearest. They managed a routine par, so our birdie would win the game and tie the match. The grimace on our Captain’s face told me our man’s valiant effort just slipped past the hole and the final game was halved. The match result was a very competitive and socially enjoyable 3.5-2.5 to our hosts. Lunch was a very wholesome carvery and thankfully neither Captain told a joke, albeit they both provided very articulate summaries of what had been a very nice day.
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