(CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)
Nottinghamshire
The morning started with my trusted lieutenant Garth welcoming the boys to Broughton heath. He organised the breakfasts and got them on the range. The team this year was a mixture of Warwickshire’s heavy weights and some new young contenders, so we really weren’t sure how we were going to perform.
First round was against Nottinghamshire. The sun was high and the boys looked great in there Warwickshire kit. So we started playing. Chanon James got off to a great start winning his game 4&3. Sam Easterbrook followed up with a 3&2 win. Matthew White (Captain for the Tournament) unfortunately lost his first game, “Heavy is the head that wears the crown”. George Halstead then came in with another 4&3. Sam Knowles who was known as little Sam, went about his business like a quiet assassin; he never spoke much; didn’t jump around but boy can he play golf; scoring 4&2. Poor Rookie Thomas Poole was beaten by the best player in the tournament and he never stopped battling even though he was beaten 6&5. The boys then retired home to their hotels or homes and we all agreed to meet the next day at 8.00am.
Staffordshire
The heavy weights went out; first Chanon playing the same boy who beat him like a drum the year before. This time Chanon went out swinging and winning the first few holes easily, he continued to press and his opponent crumbled; giving Chanon a great win. Big Sam, who was known by his fellow team mates, started how he meant to carry on with an impressive dismantling of his opponent 4&3. He had a classical golf swing with a demeanour of an ice man.
This time, our Captain Matthew chose attack to be the best form of defence, and coming from 3 down to win on the 18th2up - he must have grown 6 inch as I saw the young man bloom.
George Halstead stood up next; in his corner was a great team. However, George grasped the nettle himself; setting out his early intension and stuck to his game plan with fortitude and determination. You don’t often find in a person so young. Ryan Gavin was the youngest and smallest player of the bears and was a feather weighted player. I have seen this young man play at the Grange, and was very impressed. I followed Ryan as he set off to catch up with the rest of the team. Young Ryan tore into his opposition reminding me of Gary Player facing big Jack. He didn’t stop pushing forward and encountered every good shot his Staffordshire opponent could hit him with. Ultimately, he finished strong 5&4; The boys were flying. A quick team speech calmed ourselves and got us ready to go again tomorrow.
Derbyshire
By this time, the boys had played 54 holes. The sun had been beating on their backs and they were all feeling it. We had some tough encounters in two days. Chanon unfortunately couldn’t continue the great form he had started and lost the first 4 holes to his opponent. He chipped in twice and was crushed 6&5. Big Sam looked the cool steady player from the two other rounds, as he got off to a great start. But he got caught with two body blows in the form of two back to back birdies. He struggled on but he was winded when he lost 2down. At that time the manager was thinking “Not again” as we needed just a touch of the Miracle at Medinah. So the Captain stepped up, he was so determined you could see it in his eyes. He battled every single shot every hole and he stood tall. He halved his game on the last to stop the rot. This was a real Captain’s tale.
Little Sam again had gone about his business like the great player he is. He had a belief that he couldn’t be beaten as he had a 2up win. I moved back to the next game. George was head down blinkers on going about his business. He was continuously going from tee to the green one and two putts. I thought I was watching Bernard Langer at his best. He won the game and ensured us the tournament win but I wouldn’t let myself or the boys to celebrate and we all moved to the young pretender. This young man, Ryan is a gem of a find for the bears; I haven’t seen a young player like this ever. He had a great swing and great temperament like an old head on such young pair of shoulders. For this game his putter was cold, but when he needed to score he scored and when he needed to win he would win. He finished on the 17thand I told the boys on his last putt “Now we can celebrate”!
A big thanks to Garth as he was the brains behind the outfit. Julies was the stats person who kept us updated to where we were on the points table. Jason was helping out with the jokes and calling out the scores. Mark was another great help watching the young guns doing their business and helping out when needed. Also big thanks to Arnie the Gofer and my driver. Lastly thanks to Warwickshire President, Graham Barton, who brought a touch of class to the winning procedures.
WE DID IT!