Warwickshire Golf
Men’s 1st Team battle hard at Oswestry GC against S&H
The 2022 Midland League began on Sunday 8th May with a visit to a picturesque Oswestry GC taking on Shropshire & Herefordshire (S&H).
Following a valuable practice session on Saturday afternoon we arrived on a bright, albeit cool Sunday morning with the following team:
Louis Sanders (Copt Heath)
Ian Smith (The Warwickshire)
Steve Creed (Stratford on Avon)
Gary Skipp (Robin Hood)
Warren Bladon (Kenilworth)
Dan Bardsley (Moor Hall)
Mike Pell (Olton)
Rhys Lawrence (Maxstoke Park)
Luke Allen (Olton)
Tom Ibbertson (Hearsall)
Tom Ibbertson and Mike Pell teamed up in Match 1 and started well birdieing 5 and 6 to be 2up through 7. They would maintain that advantage after 13 holes and finally close their match on the 17th green by 3&1. Match 2 saw Louis Sanders and Luke Allen 1up after 3, level after 6 but 1 down after an S&H birdie on 7. The Warks men would win three of the next 6 holes to be 2up after 13 and stay firm winning their game by 3&2.
New pairing Warren Bladon & Ian Smith raced to a 4up lead after 7, only to see that lead halve and walk to 14th tee 2up. Wins on 14 & 15 gave Warwickshire its third straight win 4&3. Forth pairing was Rhys Lawrence & newly crowned Bainbridge Shield champion (with brother Rob) Dan Bardsley. They led after 6 but their opponent’s birdie on 7 levelled the match. That score remained until S&H won the 14th to go one up. A further win on 16 made it dormie and a 2&1 loss gave the home County their first point. Final morning foursomes was a regular pairing of Steve Creed & Gary Skipp. They led early, 2up after 7, lost 8 but then a cracking birdie 2 on the difficult uphill par three 9th followed by a solid par on the 10th meant a 3up lead. They would not let that lead go and closed the match 2&1 on the 17th.
Morning Foursomes – S & H 1 Warwickshire 4
Following a very enjoyable lunch the singles matches began with Tom Ibbertson scorching through the first 6 holes -5 and then having a twenty foot eagle putt to be seven under after 7, it just missed and amazingly 6 under was only good enough for Tom to be 2up !!!! A mixture of continued great golf from Tom Kerr and some mistakes from Tom around the turn reversed the 2up score and a further win on 14 gave S&H a three-up lead. The match finished on the 15th green with Shropshire Tom beating Warwickshire Tom – well played !
Louis Sanders occupied the second singles spot and quickly got two up after 7, that would increase to four after 13 and a solid par on 14 would be enough to record a 5&4 win. Luke Allen was match 3 creating a 2up advantage after 6 and maintaining that lead through 11 and 14 holes. Unfortunately, Luke suffered two losses in the last 4 holes but still provided a valuable half point for Warwickshire.
Mike Pell played the experienced Nick Evans and could not get his nose in front being either one or two down for the first 14 holes. Nick gave Mike nothing and closed the match on the 16th by 3&2. Match 5 featured Warren Bladon and rising Shropshire golfer Luke Blocksidge. They would both make lots of birdies (Warren was -6 in the end) with Warren edging a great match by 3&2.
Match score at this point – S & H 3.5 Warwickshire 6.5
With 5 matches to go, we needed one win and a half to reach the ‘Magic 8 points’ !
Ian Smith has come back to amateur golf from the Professional ranks and was playing in his first ‘proper’ League game in 22 years and first for Warwickshire. He would have a great battle all day and managed to get 1up twice (7th & 16th) and then finally shut the door on the 17th with a 2&1 victory. Good to have you Ian, welcome back !
Dan Bardsley was 1up after 4, 1 down after 6, 1up after 13 and then 2up after 14. His opponent then won a couple of holes and they stood A/S on the 18th tee. Good drives from both followed by decent seconds. Dan just went through but chipped and putted beautifully to secure another key half point.
Rhys Lawrence got 1up through the front nine but then found himself one down after 14. Even with a 25’ birdie on 17 by S&H, Rhys got the match down the 18th. They too ended the match in a half. Great battling Rhys !!
Gary Skipp and Steve Creed completed the afternoon singles with Gary never being behind and grinding out another half point on the 18th. Steve Creed lost a few holes around the turn and shook hands with the very experienced Sean MCarthy on the 15th Green.
This meant the singles were shared 5 points each, but the morning foursomes advantage gave Warwickshire a fantastic 9 – 6 away win.
My thanks to James and his team for a great battle all day. We were looked after fantastically well at Oswestry GC on Saturday (Practice) and throughout the match day on Sunday. Our appreciation to all involved at the Club …. Thank you !!
The usual personal thanks to Warwickshire President Mark Reynolds and wife Deb for their support, caddying and match updates throughout the day.
Also, to Pete Clarke for your help and advice before and during the match. Thank you!!
Our next League match is away again playing Staffordshire at Trentham GC on Sunday 12th June, any support would be appreciated.
CLICK HERE FOR MATCH SCORESHEET
Karl Smith
County Captain
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
