Warwickshire Golf
Men’s 2nd Team open with a win at Moor Hall against Leicestershire and Rutland
In preparation for the upcoming Midland League season the first County friendly of the season for the Men’s 2nd team was a home match at Moor Hall Golf Club against a very capable Leicestershire & Rutland side.
The players selected were:
Ollie Clark (Ladbrook Park)
Niall Collins (Robin Hood)
Phil Hoye (Ladbrook Park)
Channon James (Coventry Hearsall)
Tommy Lewis (Nuneaton)
Jacob Parsons (Coventry)
Alex Smith (Copt Heath)
Fin Stokes (Atherstone)
Rhys Wallace (Handsworth)
Lewis Watson (Handsworth)
With Chris Staite (2nd team Captain) and long standing confidant Nev Gardner both being unavailable I was asked to resurrect a role that I have previously played to help guide and shape the Mens 2nd team at a colder than forecast Moor Hall Golf Club.
After being well fed and watered by the always excellent hospitality team at Moor Hall who were preparing for a busy Mothering Sunday in the clubhouse, we took to the golf course that looked in very good condition for the time of year and recent weather.
First up were Alex Smith & Fin Stokes who raced out of the blocks with a 1st hole eagle to take an early lead that lasted for ……. 1 hole as their opponents won the tricky par 3 2nd hole. Holes 5, 6 & 7 were swapped giving L&R a 1 up lead at the turn, this became 2 up at the par 3 11th and Alex & Fin were going to have to dig-in to get something out of the match. When the going gets tough, the tough get going and Alex & Fin would claw back the deficit to gain a hard fought and important halved match.
Foursomes golf can be a notoriously difficult format of the game to find a rhythm as next out Tommy Lewis & Rhys Wallace found to their cost. With regulation fairways and greens hard to come by and some very steady golf from their opponents they found themselves 6 down through 8 holes, the next 6 holes were evenly swapped resulting in a 6&4 loss and a first point on the board for L&R.
Third out were Jacob Parsons and debut making Channon James and very steady golf saw them take a front nine lead of 3 holes. It was at this stage where the game became a match of two half’s with L&R staging somewhat of a fight-back winning holes 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 & 16 to take the match 3 & 2.
Fourth out was another debutant in Phil Hoye being partnered by Niall Collins, an early 3 up after 4 holes calmed the nerves a little and despite losing holes 5 & 6 they would win the 9th to turn 2 up. They wouldn’t get to have it all their way however and with L&R winning both holes 10 & 11 the match was all square on the 12th tee with all to play for. Some solid golf on the tougher stretch of holes down the back nine would see Phil & Niall get Warwickshire’s first full point of the day with a 2&1 win.
Last out were Lewis Watson and our 3rd debutant of the day Ollie Clark some good foursomes golf would see them reach the turn 2up, becoming 3up on the 11th. Then the wheels somewhat fell-off in classic foursome fashion, when Lewis & Ollie made par their opponents made birdie, when Lewis and Ollie made bogey their opponents made par and once this momentum starts it is very difficult to stop. This resulted in a narrow 1 hole win for L&R.
The morning foursomes therefore left the state of play being:
Warwickshire 1½ vs 3½ L&R
With all to play for in the afternoon singles the pre-planned order was juggled a little after what was seen in the morning foursomes.
Leading out the team was Alex Smith who was to play an opponent who had ‘chipped and putted’ extremely well in the morning. Alex would be 2 down through 8 holes and as much as he fought he couldn’t claw anything back from a very competent opponent in losing 3&1.
Fin Stokes took to the course and raced into a 4 hole lead through the 8th. Something he never looked like relinquishing despite his opponent winning a couple of late holes and a 2up win was the result.
Third out was Tommy Lewis and another good front nine saw him 3up at the turn, this would be extended down the back nine for an impressive biggest Warwickshire win of the day 5&4.
Not to be outdone Jacob Parsons would reach the turn 2up and extend his lead for a comfortable 4&2 win.
Rhys Wallace took to the course and after a nip and tuck first 8 holes the match was all-square, the 3 hole turn at Moor Hall wasn’t kind to Rhys as he lost 2 holes. Despite sharing holes down the back nine Rhys would go down 3&2.
Phil Hoye was up against the L&R captain and a high quality match ensued with both players matching each other shot for shot. It seemed appropriate that they shook hands on the 18th green with the match halved and both players saying that they had played well and enjoyed each other’s company.
Channon James was having a see-saw battle with his opponent with neither player being able to get more than 1up, another halved match was the result.
The match score was now Warwickshire 5½ vs 6½ L&R with 3 matches remaining and little room for error from a Warwickshire perspective.
Niall Collins on the back of his morning foursomes victory held a slight 1up lead through the front nine and remained so after 11 holes before pulling away to secure a 3&2 win and be the only 2 point Warwickshire player on the day.
Ollie Clark found himself up against a player he had lost to in the morning foursomes and if Warwickshire were going to take anything out of this game revenge would be needed. All-square through 8 holes, the Moor Hall turn would be to Ollie’s liking with him winning two of the 3 holes to be 2up on the 12th tee. Ollie extended this and ran out an impressive 4&3 winner.
Lewis Watson was up against an opponent who had sustained an injury and had bravely taken to the course in the hope of finding a way to play. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and his withdrawal on the 5th green would see Lewis receive the win.
The final score therefore was Warwickshire 8½ vs 6½ L&R
My sincere thanks go to:-
Jay Sheridan and his L&R team for a hard fought match played in a good spirit by all of the players, may you have a successful season both as a team and individuals.
Frank Lock (L&R President-elect) for his company and conversation throughout the day.
Moor Hall Golf Club for the use and condition of their golf course and their exceptional clubhouse hospitality.
Last but by no means least to the Warwickshire players for the quality of their golf, their team spirit and for making my return to (stand-in) captaincy a winning one.
The talent shown by today’s three debutants will see them have a bright future with Warwickshire Golf. Alongside many of their teammates they should be setting their sights high, formulating a plan, working hard, continuing to learn and ultimately getting the results that will force the 1st team captain to take notice.
A great start to the season, now onwards and upwards with the next 2nd team match being away to Northamptonshire at Rushden GC on Sunday 24th April.
Pete Clarke
2nd Team Captain (Stand-in)
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