Warwickshire Golf
U14 Boys start 2022 with a win!
The U14’s season got underway with the first match against Staffordshire on the 15th May at Copsewood Grange Golf Club. Despite some changeable weather at the start of the match, the weather was kind and Copsewood was extremely well presented, providing a great test for the boys from both sides.
The match was agreed to be 12 boys per side, giving a great opportunity for both counties to blood a couple of younger players for their first county golf experience. The team set up was agreed beforehand and teams were matched up in handicap order to give a balanced look to each match. There were debutants from both counties, with 5 Warwickshire boys enjoying their first exposure to County golf. In fact, Warwickshire were fielding a very young and inexperienced team, with only 3 of the 12 boys playing at the U14 age group, with many of the boys remaining eligible for another 2-4 years.
The teams headed to the first tee in their pairs, with supporting parents and with Chairman of the board and past President Bob Harrison in attendance. In keeping with recent traditions, we had agreed for the watching parents to keep each other updated with match scores via the U14 WhatsAp feed.
Warwickshire were led away by new Captain Freddy Montgomery and Oliver Camargo Jones, a pairing that had performed so well together in the pre-season match at Moor Hall. From the outset, the Warwickshire pair imposed themselves on the match, each recording birdies to reach the turn 4 up. Despite a fight back from a gritty Staffs pair on the back 9, Captain Freddy and Oliver won the match 3&2 and then headed out to the course to support the other groups.
Next out for Team Warwickshire was Monty Fincher and Jake Frearson, a strong and now experienced pair for Warwickshire. The boys flew out the blocks, achieving an early 2 hole lead by the 5th hole. However, in a reversal of fortunes, the lead had been overturned by the turn and the boys found themselves 1 down. In what proved to be a very competitive back 9, the boys fought hard to take the match to the 18th, but unfortunately they were unable to win the 18th and lost the match 1 up.
Up next in Match 3, we had another new pairing off Kamraan Arastu and 9-year-old Byron Clements, who despite his younger years, has already achieved a handicap of 13. With Kamraan taking the experienced lead over his young partner, the Warks boys showed no sign of nerves taking 2 of the first 4 holes and reached the turn 3up, with some exceptional short game skills on show. Despite a spirited display from the Staffs pair, the result never seemed to be in doubt and the Warks boys closed out the match like experienced veterans 3&2.
Onto Match 4, and we had another new pairing of Charlie England and Sam Tooth, with Sam making his Warks Debut. Like the boys that preceded them, the Warks pair came flying out of the blocks, taking the first 2 holes. This form continued through the front 9 and whilst showing great teamwork, they reached the turn 5up. The back 9 proved to be a more level affair, but the Warks boys were able to maintain a healthy lead and finished the match on the 15th green, recording a 4&3 victory.
In the fifth match, an all Moor Hall pairing of Sam Storer and Harry Walton took to the course, with Harry another to make his debut. In what proved a very tight match, involving very few halved holes, neither side were able to build a lead of greater than 1 hole throughout the match. Despite being down with 2 holes to play, the Warks boys won 17 to take the match down the 18th hole where a packed gallery awaited their shots to the Par 3. Unfortunately for the Warks pair, they could not match the Staffs par 3 and lost the match 1up.
Our sixth and final match saw a pairing from Copt Heath, with Vice-Captain Armaan Singh Basra partnered our final debutant Archie Williams. The match proved a cagey affair on the front 9, with most of the holes halved. A par on the 9th from youngster Archie, saw the Warks pair reach the turn 1up. Following short exchanges on the back 9, the Copt Heath and Warks boys really found their stride and managed to close the match out on the 16th green, 3&2.
All of the matches were played in a great spirit and each of the boys from both sides did themselves proud. The teamwork and camaraderie shown from the Warks boys was clear throughout the day and they have showed maturity beyond their years. Thanks go to John Breslin and the team at Copsewood for being such good hosts and thanks to all parents and officials for their support and making the day such a success.
Next fixture: S&H at The Grove (A) on Sunday 29th May
Richard Storer & Steve Frearson
Warwickshire U14 Team
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
