Seniors Somerset Bowl Final 2017

Saltford are the 2016 Winners

There was a thrilling climax to the final as they finally overcame a stern challenge from Taunton & Pickeridge

 The sun was shining, the Clevedon course was in an excellent condition having been prepared for an England Golf championship, and there were two talented sides ready to compete for the title. Everything was in place for a competitive match, and what a match it turned out to be!

After 7 holes, Taunton & Pickeridge had the slight advantage - up in 3 matches and down in 2, but there was little to choose between the individual matches. As the players came to the 11th tee, not much had changed, though one pair from each side seemed to have their individual games under control. In the other three there was still every thing to play for. As we came to the final holes, Alistair Johnston and Keith Wiggins secured the first point over Saltford, clinching a 2 and 1 victory on the 17th green.

Behind them, Mark Robinson and Barry Simpson had their game under control, and the end came on the 15th hole where the Saltford pair lost a ball and were forced to concede the hole and the game - 2-0 to Taunton & Pickeridge. Game 3 looked set for the first point for Saltford as Chris Padfield and Nobby Edwards held a comfortable looking lead. The Taunton pair kept plugging away and reduced the deficit, but Saltford held their nerve to win 3 and 1.

The final two games were going to decide the match and both were close. Saltford earned their second point in game 5 where Keith Taylor and Nick Griffiths secured the win 2 and 1. The drama was now on in game 4 with both pairs pushing for the win that would take the Rosebowl for 2016. The game was all square after 15, but Joe Knowles and Kevin Jackson went 1 up after a wayward drive from Saltford meant a lost ball and the concession of the hole. Both sides made mistakes on the 17th but it was Saltford who took the hole to level the game. On to the 18th tee, and a monster drive from Peter Forster-Dark allowed his Saltford partner Mike Penn a short iron to find the safety of the green. The best that Joe and Kevin could do was to be on in 3. Both sides had putts of similar length, but Saltfords' was a testing downhill and Taunton & Pickeridge had the advantage of going up the slope.

Eventually it ws decided that Saltford were away, and Peter Forster-Dark read the line superbly and the ball dropped in for a birdie 3 to secure a famous win for Saltford - the length of the winning putt will get longer with each re-telling of the story!

In the end, a magnificent final played in the most sporting of fashions - a point commented upon by both Captains at the presentation ceremony conducted by SGU Chairman Derek Hanson, Our thanks to both clubs and also to Clevedon for allowing us the use of their course.

Orchardleigh win the Seniors Somerset Rosebowl

Orchardleigh Captain Peter Forth with the trophy presented by former Tottenham Manager Keith Burkinshaw

This years competition was won by Orchardleigh Golf Club after a keenly contested final played at Wells against Long Sutton.

There were dark clouds over the Mendip Hills as the starting time drew near, The weather forecasters had promised that the rain would clear in time for the first match at 1 o'clock. Not for the first time were they proved wrong! The first game had barely got underway before the heavens opened and there was a scramble to get the wet weather gear on!

Long Sutton took an early lead in Game 1 with Norm Banfield and Steve Southgate pulling ahead, only to be pulled back by Gordon Archer and Pete Jeffries. All square on the 17th tee, Long Sutton took advantage of a mistake by Orchardleigh to pull ahead. Fortunes were reversed on the 18th when an approach to the green by the Long Sutton pair went out of bounds, Orchardleigh winning the last to take the match into extra holes.

Behind them was another tight match with Roy Parmiter and Dave Manning from Long Sutton taking on the Orchardleigh pair of Phil Jeffries and John Scott. The match finished 1 up to Orchardleigh, who seemed to be in control in matches 3 and 4. Malcolm Lloyd and Guy Turner taking down Phil Bowditch and Martin Hawkins, followed by Andy Smith and Peter Holloway closing out winning 4 and 3 against Rich Bartin and Phil Lock

Orchardleigh had the 3 points needed to win the competition, and the remaining matches were called in off the course. Fortunately the sun did come out and the match finished on a lovely sunny afternoon.

The winning team with a couple of interlopers!

SENIORS SOMERSET BOWL DRAW - 2015

Results to be emailed to the Competitions Secretary on competitions@somersetgolfunion.co.uk