Mill Ride are Hillman Champions
The Hillman Trophy is undoubtedly the most competitive event in the BB&O calendar. Clubs enter a team early in the season and compete in the knockout competition before playing a final on neutral ground at the tail end of the season. Each team consists of seven players, three in one handicap category and four in another. A team needs to win five matches (six if drawn in the preliminary) if they’re to reach the final. If a club lose their first round match they are automatically entered into the Hillman Plate competition which is every bit as competitive.
After 78 teams entered the 2023 Hillman Trophy, it all came down to a match between Mill Ride and Wokefield Park. The final took place at Goring & Streatley Golf Club on Sunday 15th October. A cold but bright day provided ideal conditions for the final to be battled out. It proved to be a tense affair as the first three matches were very close, all finishing on the 17th hole and Mill Ride managed to take a slight lead. Wokefield Park were able to turn the tables after winning the fourth and fifth match taking the score to 3-2 with just two matches left on the course. The final two matches were closely fought but Mill Ride came out on top giving them a 1 point victory over Wokefield Park.
Meanwhile, Badgemore Park were competing against The Springs in the final of the Hillman Plate. After the first two matches, each side held 1 point each. The next two matches went in favour of Badgemore Park which meant it stood at 3-1 after the first four matches. The Springs needed to win the final three matches to lift the trophy and despite their best efforts they could only secure two of the three matches and just fell short leaving Badgemore Park to lift the Hillman Plate with a 4-3 victory over The Springs.
Congratulations to Mill Ride and Badgemore Park on winning the toughest of county team events.
We look forward to watching the Hillman Trophy unfold next year.
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