SOMERSET GOLF UNION

2009 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Club - Sunday 24th May 2009

Curtis Edwards wins in dramatic play off

This year's County Championship was a roller coaster thriller with a dramatic ending.

County Champion Curtis Edwards with Somerset President Dennis Longden

County Championship day is a long day for the organisers who were at Taunton & Pickeridge at 7.15 am to welcome the early starters and they were still there at the prize presentation ceremony at 8.30 pm. Somerset Golf Union President Dennis Longden would like to thank, on behalf of all the players, the support staff who ran the desk, checked all the score cards and provided up to the minute public information, the starters who managed to get everyone off on time and the Referees who must have walked many miles during the day. Finally he would like to thank Taunton & Pickeridge for hosting our most prestigious championship and especially the head greenkeeper for presenting the course in immaculate condition. With the sun shining, little or no wind and fielding 8 scratch players and 7 with plus handicaps everyone was anticipating a feast of good golf and they were not disappointed.

Sixteen year old Sam Sloman of Taunton & Pickeridge set the standard early in the day with a splendid level par 69 and remained in the lead until Shaun Richards, also of Taunton & Pickeridge, posted a one under par 68. Justin Lane and David Gregory of Burnham & Berrow shot 68 and 69 with Craig Adams of Farrington taking the lead with a 67. Phil White had a 68 and Matt Kippen, the reigning champion a 69. The best morning round went to Curtis Edwards with a blistering three under par 66.

Expectations that Sam would be unable to match his morning round were swiftly dashed when he went one better with a 68 setting the score to beat at a creditable one under par 137 very early in the afternoon. Matt Turner of Taunton & Pickeridge with a disappointing 74 in the morning round was pleased with a one under par 68 in the afternoon and Loius Boston of Saltford had a splendid two under par 67 but his morning round of 71 meant he was one shot off the lead. Shaun Richards and Justin Lane could not match their morning scores and finished on 142 and 140. David Gregory, playing superbly controlled golf with another level par to finish on 138 was also one shot off the lead. Craig Adams had a two over par 71 to finish on 138 also but Curtis Edwards was in fine form with a one over 70 for a total of 136 that took him into the lead with four games left on the course including reigning champion Matt Kippen. However it was left to Phil White to challenge Curtis with another one under par 68 for a total of 136 taking the championship into a thrilling play off.

Holes 4, 16, 17 and 18 were to be played as strokeplay and if still tied the same holes would be used for a sudden death play off. Phil White missed a short putt at the 16th to give the advantage to Curtis who reinforced his determination to win with a terrific birdie at the 17th and another at the 18th. A magnificent championship had come to a fitting finale.

 Particular mention must be made of fifteen year old Sam Sloman who came within two shots of being the youngest ever Somerset County Champion. His two round total of one under par 137 was a magnificent achievement in such a young golfer and I am sure we are going to hear a lot more of Sam in the future. Sam was preseted with the Arthur Evans trophy for the best junior in the County Championship and of course he also finished in third place winning a voucher for £150.

This year, for the first time due to dwindling numbers entering a separate competition, the Colts Championship was run in conjunction with the County Championship.  The Colts runner up was Loius Boston who was presented with the Mike Tilke Trophy and the Colts Champion, Curtis Edwards, was presented with the Past Presidents Trophy.

Dennis Longden

Championship Chairman

Sam Sloman with the Arthur Evans Cup