Wiltshire Golf
Close encounter with Cornwall ends in defeat
With much excitement and anticipation, the morning foursomes started in overcast but warm conditions.
First out was our talented top pair Mike White and Iain Quigley, but unfortunately iit was one of those matches, when you just have to tip your hat to the opposition, as the Cornish pair birdied three of the first five holes (including a tee shot to within a foot of the 4th hole which was playing 206 yards uphill with a crosswind!). The Cumberwell pairing of Bryan Lindsay and Jamie Goult levelled things with an impressive 1 up win over the in-form Norris (who must be close to England selection) and Barnes. Then came the first of two North Wilts pairings, Mark Slater and Graeme Wright who have an impressive greensomes record, but suffered a surprise defeat to Richard Jones and Richard Emery after a disappointing 3 putt by the Wiltshire pair on the 8th hole. Andy Lake and Al Patterson again levelled the team score at 2 a-piece with a convincing 2 and 1 victory and then the last pairing of Martyn Evans and Simon Dymoke had an exciting game with Cornwall stalwarts Andy Rowe and Ian Veale. With only 1of the 9 holes played being halved, the Wiltshire pair were one down playing the last but managed to chip stone dead from 50 yards to halve the match at lunchtime, with 2.5 points each.
In the afternoon singles, Cornwall again got off to a hot start winning the top two matches. Lindsay hoped to steady the ship in match 3 and was all square playing the last. It is not often you play a 7 iron off the tee at a par 5 and still look to get up in two, but such were the conditions on the bouncy downhill fairways. Cruelly Lindsay suffered from the bounce and was blocked out with his approach shot whereas his opponent had good fortune and managed to take advantage with a birdie to take the third match 1 up.
Wiltshire were well and truly up against it, however, strong performances from Mark Slater (who now has 5 wins out of 5 singles matches this year), Jamie Goult and Al Patterson, who each won in the morning and afternoon gave Wiltshire hope of a revival.
Unfortunately, Graeme Wright suffered a wrist injury on the third hole whilst playing out of a ditch, resulting in him being unable to grip and swing as he would normally, and although he attempted to play on, his efforts were futile and inevitably led to a heavy defeat. And so with Wiltshire only managing one half from the remaining three matches, the overall score was a 9-6 victory for Cornwall.
We should remember that Cornwall are the current National County Champions and will be defending their title again this year at the finals in Harrogate in October. Hence it was a creditable performance from the Wiltshire team and might have been closer but for Graeme’s injury and an unfortunate bounce here and there.
Wiltshire vs Cornwall (Hamptworth Golf & Country Club, 18th August)
OVERALL RESULT: Wiltshire 6 vs Cornwall 9
Huge thanks to Hamptworth Golf and Country Club, their staff and in particular General Manager Andy Lake. Both teams were given courtesy of the course for a practice round, free range balls and had the course presented in the best possible condition, with Wiltshire flags and start tee banners. Couple all this with excellent food and service from friendly and efficient staff all made us incredibly proud to be representing Wiltshire.
. 
Stand-in Captain for this match was Simon Dymoke (North Wilts).
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
