Warwickshire Golf
SENIORS BEARS TIED UP IN NOTTS WASHOUT
Warwickshire Seniors suffered their first washout in recent years when persistent and heavy rain forced the match against Nottinghamshire to be abandoned during the afternoon fourballs. The match against our East Midlands opponents whilst not being a league match was eagerly anticipated by both sides. The fixture saw the two counties responsible for winning the last two Midlands County Qualifiers going head to head.The two teams were also involved in last years League Play-Off Match, which Nottinghamshire won, between the winners of the East and West Midlands Leagues, however this year both teams will have to settle for coming runners up.
The players travelled to the course with little knowledge of the heavy and continuous rain which would fall to cause a premature halt to the day. Many players had commented that no rain was forecast until the early evening so all morning matches set off blissfully unaware of what was to come. At lunchtime the concluded greensome games saw the match scores level with two wins, two halves and two losses apiece. During lunch the rain arrived but many players and locals believed that it would just be a light shower.
By the time the last match had reached the 7th tee however the conditions on the course were becoming unplayable with so much standing water and the greens unable to cope.
It was agreed to call a halt to proceedings and to prepare for an early dinner. It was typical of the day that at the time the matches were abandoned, just like the morning completed matches, each side was ahead in two matches, behind in two matches and all square in the other two.
The Captains were left with little option but to mark down all the fourball matches as halved matches.
It was great to welcome David Mason from Moor Hall for his county match debut. He had played in our County 6's team recently at Kedleston Park contributing to our runners up finish. I am confident that he will continue to play a major part in the County's fortunes in the years to come. It was also a pleasure to see Mike Topliss playing in County colours again.
In closing my thanks to the team for playing and coping with the vagaries of satellite navigation and the extremely wet weather. I know many of you were disappointed to not complete your matches in the afternoon, but the course was holding water at an alarming rate and it would not have been possible to conclude all the matches.
To Oakmere Park Golf Club my thanks to their staff for their hospitality and the presentation of their course. Like so many courses around the country recent weather conditions have presented the green staff with many challenges and the course, for one so young, stood up well, particularly during the morning.
To Neil Martin and his Nottinghamshire team mates, the match as always was played in a very friendly but competitive manner. Every county knows that the Nottinghamshire fixture is always a tough one. This was Neil's final county match as Captain of Nottinghamshire and he has left the county in very good order moving forward. I have come to know Neil well enough over recent years to count him as a friend and wish him and his team well in the upcoming County Finals at Stanton-on-the Wolds Golf Club in south Nottinghamshire next month. I am sure that they will give a very good account of themselves and from all at Warwickshire and Midlands Senior Golf supporters in general we wish you the very best of good fortune.
The County's next fixture will be the annual match against the Warwickshire Lady Vets at Leamington & County Golf Club later in the month.
Mark Reynolds
Seniors Captain
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