The annual match between the Unions was held on the magnificent W. Herbert Fowler designed links known as Saunton East. This highly rated golf course was a fitting venue indeed for such a high-level representative match, after all the next step would be International honours. Both teams were brimming with top class players and a close match was forecast and boy was it close!

On arrival for the match the weather was awful, raining, foggy and just not what was ordered but as the players got to the tee the bad weather abated and we were off.

As aficionados of the game will know Saunton is always in brilliant condition and good play can be rewarded. What a treat was served up by the players and appreciated by the spectators.

Jake Phillips (Cotswold Hills GC) and Andrew Robson (Sherborne GC) were having a ding-dong battle with Richard Wale (Leicestershire GC) and Freddie Macarther (Ullesthorpe Court Hotel & Golf Club). The match was going one way then the other before being decided on the 18th green the Midlands securing their first point.

Match 2 saw Gary Slade (Cumberwell Park GC) and Ash Millington (The Players Club) take on Jack Severn (Cleobury Mortimor GC) and Alex Emms (Vale Golf & Country Club). Gary and Ash were in imperious form and a barrage of birdies saw them cruise to a 6&5 victory.

Match 3 pitted the experienced Dorset County Captain Andy Rideout (Dudsbury GC) and his young partner Freddie Turnell (Burnham & Berrow GC) against Tom Ibbertson (Coventry Hearsall GC) and Louis Sanders (Coptheath GC). This was another match decided on the 18th with the Midlands again gaining victory. My thanks to Millfield School for allowing Freddie to play and also to mum for doing the chauffeuring duties.

Match 4 was another tight, high-class battle with the ever dependable Tom Law (Brooke Manor GC) and Josh Millington (The Players Club) playing Andrew Grimwood (St Neots GC) and Mark Stockdale (Woburn GC). Victory was secured by the South West on the 17th and the match was now 2-2.

Match 5 between the Devon and Cornwall pairing of Eliot Baker (Tiverton GC) and Matt Richards (West Cornwall GC) against Simon Richardson (Spalding GC) and Matthew Haynes (Belton Woods GC). 18 holes would not be enough to produce a winner in this match an honourable half saw lunch time scores even at two and half points each.

Leading out the South West team in the afternoon was Jake Phillips playing Richard Wale. This was a really close match from start to finish but the 18th showed all watching what can happen in a flash in this great game of golf. Jake had been in control for most of the match but a late surge by Richard saw Jake 1 down playing the last. Richard’s tee shot was in the middle of the fairway but Jake pushed his drive up into the hills on the right ……..not good! In fact Jake couldn’t find his ball until Richard joined the hunt and located it in a shocking lie (proper sportsmanship). Jake could only hack it towards the fairway but managed to put his third shot on the green (the pin was front left looking from the club house and all puts were extremely fast down towards the hole). Richard found the green but was 40 feet away and left his first putt 5 feet short. Jake putted 10 feet past the pin – still Jake’s putt which he holed for a 5. Richard putts for the win, lips out and goes 8 feet past (told you it was tricky) then missed his third putt – victory to Jake – oh the vagaries of golf!

Next up 18 was Ash all square. Ash had a 10 footer for victory but just failed to hole out and the match was halved.

Andy was 4 down with 4 to play and then started to charge. He won 15 by holing a huge putt, won 16 with a solid par and then produced a “filthy up and down” (his words not mine) on the tough 17th to now only be 1 down. Andy drove down the middle of the 18th fairway as did his opponent Jack – could this be a match winning half – unfortunately not. Andy and others could not locate his drive one of those things that happens in golf but really disappointing all the same. Andy conceded and lost 2 down.

In match 4 Gary continued his great golf from the morning by beating Alex 2&1 to record his second win of the day. Great playing Gary.

Andy who was a few down started chipping away at the lead of his opponent Louis who had got off to a blistering start making 4 birdies on the front nine. Despite Andy’s best efforts Louis closed the match out on the 17th.

Josh was having a great game with Tom and again this match went up the 18th. Solid pars from both players meant Tom held on to his one hole lead. Close but no cigar.

Young Freddie hit a majestic shot on to 17 and then casually rolled his putt stone dead to record a 2&1 victory over Mark. Well played youngster and your mum was very pleased as well.

Big hitting Eliot was now going up 18 all square a huge drive and brilliant wedge shot to 2 feet saw him snatch victory over Andrew. A good day’s work unbeaten.

Tom on his own volition had not played his best whilst never giving in the putts would just not drop and he ended up losing to Matthew 3&2.

So with the match score all square the last match was on the 17th tee with Matt one down to Simon. The 17th is a tough 210 yard par 3 playing into wind which dictated a long iron tee shot. Matt found the green so did Simon neither approach putt was dead and Simon missed his 6 footer but Matt holed out – all square game on. Matt selected an iron for his tee shot up 18 and Simon hit driver both were fine and now it was down to the second shots. Matt pulled his approach shot slightly left and lady luck was going to strike again, Matt’s ball hit a rake left outside the bunker and it ricocheted back into the front left-hand bunker. Simon found the green but was a long way from the hole. Matt then splashed out to 20 feet and Simon left his putt 5 feet short (just where Richard Wale had 3 putted from in the top match). Matt missed his putt; over to Simon who had a really difficult fast putt. There were at least 3 scenarios to this putt; hole it and the Midlands win, two putt for a half and the match drawn or three putt and the South West win. It had happened once could it happen again? No, Simon holed and victory belonged to the Midlands – last putt, last match on the last green you just couldn’t get closer than this. It was a brilliant couple of days where golf was the winner.

I would like to thank my players for their performance in this match – you were a credit to yourselves as well as your Counties and the South Western Golf Union. It was an honour to be your Captain. Long may this match continue. I wish you all well with your golfing careers and hope to see you all at South West Week at Perranporth Golf Club next June when your Captain will be Ali James. Good luck Ali. Take care all of you.

Regards.

Charlie Phillips

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