SENIORS SCRATCH KNOCK OUT DRAW - 2017

Weston-super-Mare win a thrilling final at Bath

Clevedon just fail on the 1st extra hole after a brave comeback

The results sheet barely does justice to the drama that unfolded at Bath Golf Club on October 12th. Two well balanced teams battling it out for the trophy that was played in a generous sporting spirit and was a credit to both of these great clubs.

Weston-super-Mare seemed to be having the better of the early exchanges, and as the players reached the turn, they were ahead in 3, down in 1 with 1 game all square. Geoff Sinclair held the advantage over David Shields with a 3 hole lead. Clevedon's Bob Anderson was keeping just in front of Ron Kelley, game 3 was all square between Kevin Lane and Robert Arthur. David Rowland was keeping the challenge from Mark D'Ammassa at bay whilst County player Steve Thomas had established a lead over Clevedon's captain Martin Reid.

But then the tide began to turn! 3 down with 4 to play, David Shields began to peg back Geoff Sinclair, and had brought the deficit down to 1 as they arrived at the 18th tee. Both players missed the green with their approach shot. Facing a tricky up and down to an elevated green, David played a good shot but failed to hole out. Geoff rolled his chip up to the hole and the putt was sportingly conceded to secure the first point for Weston-super-Mare.

Bob Anderson has been in good form around Clevedon of late, and maintained this as he kept his lead over Ron Kelley, the pair shaking hands on the 17th green with a 2 and 1 win for Bob and a point for Clevedon. Robert Arthur pulled away from Kevin Lane over the back 9 and their match was decided on the 15th green, a 5 and 3 win with a second point for Clevedon. David Rolwland also maintained his grip on the 4th game and ran out with a 4 and 3 win over Mark D'Ammassa. All attention switched to the last game out on the course between Steve Thomas and Martin Reid. With 2 points each, this was going to be the decider!

Steve had established a 3 hole advantage for Weston-super-Mare, but Martin kept plugging away, reining in the lead and they were all square after 16 holes. Martin took the 17th to establish the lead and needed a half on the 18th to win the trophy for Clevedon. On the green, Martin's putt for the win rolled by and Steve stepped up to take the hole and we were set for a sudden death play off.

Back to the first tee, and two good drives saw both players on the fairway, followed up by two sound approaches to the elevated green. Martin was first away with the putter, the pace of the greens was probably slowing and his putt came up short. Steve then sent his first putt a bit further past the hole than he might have liked, and the onus was back on Martin. His second putt went agonisingly past the hole leaving Steve a putt for the win. The ball hovered briefly over the edge of the hole before dropping in and victory for Weston-super-Mare was secured.

Players and spectators trudged back down the hill to the warmth of the clubhouse, reflecting upon the drama they had witnessed, where the trophy was presented to the winning Team Captain John Morgan by SGU Vice President Paul Middleton.

Taunton & Pickeridge are the 2015 Champions

The sun shone but there was a fairly stiff breeze for the finalists of the Seniors Inter Club Scratch KO finalists to contend with at Burnham & Berrow on September 1st. The result was a win for Taunton & Pickeridge, who overcame a determined challenge from the Isle of Wedmore.

There was plenty of support for the Wedmore team who had reached a scratch final for the first time in their history. In the first match, Alistair Johnston from T&P was on a hot streak with his putter, and he ran out a comfortable  winner against Nick Parker.

The second game between Steve Sloman and Tim Harris was a closely fought battle, with fortunes swinging both ways. T&Ps Steve had the better of the earlier exchanges, and had sped to a 3 hole lead at the 8th. An unfortunate lie with Steve's ball embedded in the face of a bunker on the 9th saw Tim reduce the deficit, and the match was all square coming off the 16th green. Steve regained the lead on 17, so Tim had it all to do on the 18th to keep the match alive. Both players overshot the green on their approach shots, powered perhaps by adrenalin as much as the following wind. Tim managed a quite brilliant up and down for his par and to win the hole. So, it was back to the 1st tee to begin the extra holes to decide the point. This time it was Tim who suffered a bad lie when his approach to the green finished on the downward slope of a steep bank. He could not recover and was forced to concede to give T&P their second point.

Wedmore's Captain, John Russell was engaged in a close match with Mike Robinson, and they were all square leaving the 16th green. News that the 4th match between Barry Simpson and Bill Lander had finished, Barry gaining the vital third point to T&P meant the final was effectively over. John & Mike agreed on a half, and word was sent to the final pairing of T&P Captain Alan Keenan and Terry Clark from Isle of Wedmore. They too agreed on a half and the players returned to the Clubhouse.

SGU President thanked both teams for a well contested final, and also all at Burnham & Berrow for allowing us the use of their course on the day.

Seniors Inter Club Scratch Knockout 2015

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