BB&O win first league match
Finally County Golf is back after a year’s absence! The format has slightly changed to adjust for Covid 19, with the League being run as 8 x singles matches and no foursomes. This is only for 2021 and although understandable in these uncertain times, is a blow as we need the practice for the Eastern Counties Foursomes at Seacroft in August.
For the first time in 17 months the team assembled at Letchworth Golf Club for the first League Match v Herfordshire. The Team comprised of Olly Huggins (Frilford), Rory Browne (Feldon Valley), James Brockington (Henley Golf Club), Taylor Paul (Stoke Park), Jack Haines (Gerrards Cross), Ben Loveard (Woburn), Tom Wilde (The Lambourne) & Tom Lawson (Stoke Park)
Both Taylor Paul & Ben Loveard made their debuts for the First Team and we welcomed back Tom Wilde, who has re-joined the amateur ranks.
In the singles, with the weather provided a mixture of warmth, cloud, sunshine and a strong breeze. After 9 holes BB&O were up in 1, all square in 3 and down in the other 4 matches. As the afternoon progressed the top match began to swing our way, but we were behind in the next two games. In the middle singles the boys were battling hard and slowly started to reel in their opponents making the matches very tight indeed. Eventually we won Match 1 by 4&2; we lost Match 2 by 6 & 5 and Match 3 by 6 & 4. In Match 4 we finally got ahead for the first time at the 16th and went on to win 1 up. In Match 5 we got ahead at the 16th and a great up & down at the 17th ensured we were 1 up playing the last. A half on the 18th gave BB&O another point. In Match 6, it was a very see-saw affair but again we got our noses in front and halved the 18th to win 1 up. In Match 7 we again went in front on the 16th, another up & down at 17 saw us go dormie 1 up & although we lost the 18th the halve secured the overall win. In Match 8 we were dormie 1 down & unfortunately couldn’t win the last hole so lost 1 down. Olly Huggins, Taylor Paul, James Brockington and Ben Loveard all secured wins with a half won by Tom Wilde. Unfortunately, Rory Browne, Jack Haines & Tom Lawson lost their matches on a very tricky course.
Result: BB&O 4.5 – Herts 3.5
So the First Team start the season with a narrow but creditable away win. The next match is on Sunday 30th May v Middlesex at Frilford Heath
Simon Hopkis
First Team Manager
