Warwickshire Golf

Our final league match saw the County host Derbyshire at Stratford-on-Avon Golf Club with the prospect of securing a first West Midlands League Crown. To do so we had to not only beat Derbyshire but by the significant margin of 9 match points on the day to overhaul current league leaders Worcestershire.

 

The day began however with some sad news from our opponents in them announcing the recent loss of one of their stalwart players Bill Steel. I had the pleasure of playing against Bill in last year's match at Erewash Valley and was very saddened yesterday to learn of his passing. He was a very fine ball striker with a gritty competitiveness and no shortage of ability around the course. He will be sorely missed.

 

The morning foursomes matches saw the result in the balance as Derbyshire with late hole wins in the top three matches denied Warwickshire a clean sweep in the morning foursomes. However with the bottom three matches all being won the home side led 4.5 points to 1.5 points at lunchtime. The afternoon saw Warwickshire dominate with 5 wins from the 6 matches and finish with our season's best tally of 14.5 points to Derbyshire's 3.5 points. In all a marvellous result for Warwickshire Seniors Golf and in losing just one match on the day showed that we were all very focused on the job in hand. The result means we now have a play-off match against Nottinghamshire, the East Midlands league winners to be played at Brampton Heath Golf Club near Huntingdon on Monday 16th October.

 

The matches were played in an excellent spirit as always and the match against Derbyshire also heralds the end of the seasons regular fixtures. Now of course we can focus on our trip to Goswick Golf Club for the County Finals against Gloucestershire, Sussex and Yorkshire this weekend. 

 

My thanks to Stratford on Avon Golf Club for their hospitality on the day and to the green staff for presenting the course in such excellent condition. To Bob Harrison and Graham Barton for their support out on the course and to Rodger Sutherland for keeping me up to date with the morning matches and on behalf of Laurence Greatley, to my wife Deborah, for her caddying skills.

 

My special thanks however go to all the players, not only to those that played yesterday, but to everyone who has turned out for the County this year, it has given me a great thrill and I feel very proud and honoured to be your Captain. 

 

 

Mark Reynolds

Senior Captain