Warwickshire Golf
PERFECT START TO THE SEASON
Match Report
League Match: Derbyshire v Warwickshire
Date: 7th May 2017
Venue: Kedlestone Park Golf Club
Captain: Stuart Bloxham
Our first Midland League game of 2017 was against Derbyshire at Kedlestone Park Golf Club.
Like the first day of last year’s season the sun was shining on Kedlestone Park Golf Club with great conditions for golf on a course that was in excellent condition. Ball striking was the key for the day and with the wind getting up in the afternoon ball flight control became a major factor.
With some very late changes the team was:
Dave Atkins, Liam Phipps, Louie Pett, Luke Turbutt, Max Martin, Rob Copperthwaite, Ryan James, Sam foster, Stuart Bloxham (Captain) and Tom Ibbertson
Foursomes:
Max Martin and Liam Phipps lead the team out in the morning foursomes against Will Painter and Ryan Wesselingh but an unusual start to their round found the Warwickshire pair 4 down through 8 holes. This provoked a strong reaction from the Warwickshire pair and a comeback on the back nine to snatch a superb point with a great 1 up victory. Comebacks like this show a lot of character, well played boys.
Next out was David Atkins paired with Luke Turbutt who was making his 1st team and men’s debut and a great on it was. Luke played some great golf on the front nine and with the steadiness of Dave their winning score of 3&2 was one that was well deserved.
A great start to morning.
Third out was Sam Foster and Ryan James. This game was nip and tuck from start to finish with very little between us and the Derbyshire pair. The game ended in a share of the points with a well-deserved halved point.
Next out was the Coventry Hearsall pairing Tom Ibbertson and Stuart Bloxham against Mark Porter and Paul Tatlow. It was the Derbyshire pair who took control on the game for the first 12 holes taking a 5up lead but with six holes to play you can never write off the reigning Bainbridge Shield Champions! Having given a few holes away early on it was time to get them back and with some superb driving from Tom and clinical finishing from the Captain, brought this match alive getting them back to 1 down with two to play. A great drive on the par five 17th and a bunker shot to 10ft from Tom, left a critical putt from Stuart to win the hole and he did just that. A par down the last meant the points were shared and kept Warwickshire in a commanding lead.
Last out was Louie Pett and Rob Copperthwaite, who took control of the game and stayed ahead most of the way round. It was a great up and down on the last that granted Warwickshire another point with a 1 up victory. Well played Louie and Rob.
A superb morning of golf.
Foursomes Result
Derbyshire 1 – 4 Warwickshire
Singles:
With only 4 points needed to win the match Liam Phipps was first out against Ryan Wesselingh. This was a very tight match but a great half point was welcomed in a strongly fought out match.
Debutant Luke Turbutt was up against Will Painter, well known as a very good player. It was Will who took the points with a 2&1 victory. It was a fine performance from Luke and an excellent debut.
Next out was the flamboyant Max Martin, who was in control of his match from start to finish and giving Warwickshire another excellent point on the board with a 2Up victory.
With six players still on the course and 5.5 points in the bag; Only 2.5 points were required.
It wasn’t long before we had another to add to the tally as Dave Atkins (who has slotted in well to County golf) won 3&2 against Darren Coop with a solid performance and 2 points again for the day. Well played.
Sam Foster also played his part in the day with another halved match. It was a well-earned draw and one that stopped any comeback from Derbyshire.
Tom Ibbertson who went out number nine in the order finished his match earlier than most with a great 7&6 victory and three under par round.
This meant we had reached the magical number of 8 and victory to Warwickshire.
With Stuart Bloxham 1 up going down the last and hearing of the result from Pete Clarke meant we could relax but as we know goal difference can still play a part in the season so we were not prepared to stop there. Stuart went on to win his match to gain another point for team Warwickshire.
Louie Pett halved his match in a well fought out game and Ryan James who is getting better and better won his singles match 2&1. Well played Louie and Ryan.
Rob Copperthwaite unfortunately couldn’t close out his match and lost 2&1.
Singles Result
Derbyshire 3.5 – 6.5 Warwickshire
Overall Result
Derbyshire 4.5 – 10.5 Warwickshire
It was a great performance and result from Team Warwickshire and one that gets the season off to a great start.
I would like to wish Haydon Green and his team all the best for the season. I would also like to thank Kedleston Park Golf Club for their hospitality throughout the day and presenting a golf course in excellent condition.
I would also like to thank Pete Clarke for acting as Captain and doing a great job whilst I was playing and finally thanks to Bob Harrison, President of Warwickshire for his support on the day.
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