Warwickshire Golf

The Morning Foursomes matches were led off by Gary Greenway (Maxstoke Park) and Dale Marson (Rugby GC). The pair made a solid start, and by the time the duo reached the 7th Tee they were all square. However 3-putting the 7th would prove costly and they made the turn 1 down. Gaz & Dale fought back to square the match on the 14th, but were unable to claim Warwickshire’s point of the day, ultimately losing 2 down.

 

Next off was Paul Walker (Maxstoke Park GC) partnering Olton Golf Club’s Mike Pell. The pair enjoyed a slender 1up lead through 7 holes, but shifted up a gear, by the time they reached the 13th tee they were 5 up!  Just a short time later the pair had sealed their point winning 5&4. Well done fellas. 

 

Match 3 paired up 2nd Team regulars Ben Goodison (Coventry GC) and Morgan Jackson (Stratford on Avon GC). Ben was looking to keep his 2017 League 100% win record. The capable pair matched their S&H opponents blow for blow front 9, incredibly halving every hole!  The back 9 was kinder to Ben & Morgs, they won the 10th and 12th, but were pegged back to all square after the 14th, a fighting half on the long 15th and a win on the 16th, proved vital. They would also win the last to seal the game 2up.  Well done both, Ben’s impressive record continues!

 

Match 4 saw Coventry Hearsall member, and former Men’s Club Champion Harry Ibbertson, partnering Stoneleigh Deer Park’s Neville Gardner. Steady golf was the order of the day, as the Warwickshire pair enjoyed a 4up lead through 7holes. This was extended to 6up after the 12th hole, and minutes later a 7&5 victory was secured. Great playing from both Bears!

 

The final Foursomes pairing of the morning had an all-Maxstoke flavour, Steve Creed & Antony Gascoigne. A close fought battle even saw the ever boisterous ‘Creedy’ fist-bumping with his opponents(!) after the 7th hole was halved in impressive birdies. However they found themselves 1 down through 7. Further issues with a lost ball on 9 meant there was much work to do.  They answered in fine style winning the next 3 holes to take an unlikely lead, one they would not relinquish, winning superbly 2&1. 

 

Score at Lunch Warwickshire 4 - Shropshire & Herefordshire 1.

 

Some players had slightly longer to enjoy their lunches than others, but with the sun beating down on the golf course, the teams were soon back out to battle the afternoon’s 10 singles matches. 

 

Leading us off was Dale Marson seeking revenge on his morning opponent, S&H 2nds Captain Nick Evans. The duo fought valiantly, with the score never being more than a hole or 2 in it, the match looked to have a worthy half point going to each team, but unfortunately (for Warwickshire) Dale’s tricky 5 footer on the final hole, slipped past the edge and meant a full point was chalked up for S&H, well done Captain Nick, and unlucky Dale.

 

Gary Greenway in Match 2, was all square after 7 holes, but a lost ball on the tricky 8th meant Gas trailed 1 down, before turning the tide on the back 9. Gaz played some great golf and deservedly shook hands on the 16th a 3&2 winner. 

 

Mike Pell & Paul Walker in Matches 3 and 4 respectively, had similar starts to their singles, but Paul was able to extend a 2up lead through the 7th, Mike meanwhile was all square. Mike close match continued into the back 9, and he lead 1up playing the final hole, another point for Warwickshire was recorded with Mike winning 2up. Paul made lighter work of his match winning 5&4, congrats to both players. 

 

Match 5 (Ben Goodison) and Match 6 (Morgan Jackson), would also go in Warwickshire’s favour with Ben adding to his 100% record with yet another win, this time 3&2. Morgan meanwhile played some very good golf to beat his opposition 4&3.

 

Match 7 had Harry Ibbertson pulling steadily away, 2up through 7, 4up through 12 and by the time the match reached the par 5 15th, it was all over. Harry winning 4&3. Congrats Haz, a great comeback!  

 

Matches 8 and 9 respectively were Antony Gascoigne and Steve Creed aka Gas & Creedy!  Gas clearly was in a rush to win his singles point, as he won 6 of the opening 7 holes! A big margin looked likely, and so it would prove with a 8&7 victory the result. Elsewhere Creedy found himself behind, 3 down through 7. A steady comeback ensued and  Steve fought back to square the match, which soon became a lead!  By the time they reached the 17th Creedy was 1up, a sweetly struck tee shot to a few feet meant a 2&1 win for the ever excitable Creedy!

 

So even with the Match won for Warwickshire, cue the fireworks. Nev Gardner in Match 10 would reach the 17th tee dormy 2 down. Nev, with the honour, pured an 8 iron straight down the flag. With both Teams in close proximity to the tee, feedback was good, the ball landing short right of the pin, before an S&H voice exclaimed – it’s gone in!! Incredibly Nev’s ball had indeed found the bottom of the cup, for his 2nd career hole in one!  Obligatory photos attached.  Congratulations to Nev. Unfortunately his opponent struck back with a birdie on Hearsall’s tough last hole, meaning Nev succumbed 2down. 

 

A great match had ended with Warwickshire the victors 12-3. A match which had been played in a fantastic spirit throughout the day. Nick Evans and his players were excellent opponents and all the games had been hard fought and a pleasure to watch. 

 

Congratulations to the Warwickshire Lads who played and conducted themselves fantastically all day, and certainly deserved their victory. Thanks also to the numerous Warwickshire supporters who came to enjoy the golf, and the weather!

 

Finally a huge thanks to my home club, Coventry Hearsall’s greens keepers for the presentation of the golf course which was superb, and of course to the professional and clubhouse staff for looking after both teams brilliantly all day.

 

 

Chris Leonard

Warwickshire 2nd Team Captain