Sussex Golf Captains
Buckinghamshire v Sussex
And so, we reach the final curtain.
The season is keenly balanced. Our record this season is 6 losses, 3 draws, and 5 wins. The big question was whether the golfing ledger would finish the season all square or whether the young Bucks would ensure we ended up in the red.
With hope in our hearts, petrol in the car and a rather nice port & brandy combination in the hip flask, we headed off to Chiltern Forest in deepest, darkest Buckinghamshire. We were warned the course is a bit hilly but otherwise lovely. This seemed less of a problem than the imminent threat of yet another washout. Still, wet weather gear packed, P&B warming the cockles, and Des ‘Multiball’ Malcolm fully stocked with spare balls and a chain saw, the game got underway (Get on with it! Ed).
Match 1
Nigel Wates (Captain) and Richard Jays (VC) VS Colin Ewell (Captain) and John Coenen (Club Captain)
The course was excellent, with views to die for. Sussex’s putting was very poor, woeful, inept, useless, hopeless, misguided and generally worse than required. Nigel should have stayed at home and helped Junko move (Yes, Nigel really did go and play golf on house moving day. Ed.) Lost 2&1
Match 2
Des ‘Multiball’ Malcolm and Bryan Mundy vs Mark Mugglestone and Stephen Perkins
This was a tight match, but the writing was on the wall when our opponents opened up with a birdie/net eagle. Given the monsoon conditions, it was a credit to the greenkeepers that the course was in such good nick. We could not close the gap and fell victim to their better play on 17. Lost 2&1
Match 3
Andy Plowright (VVC) and Ian Potter (IPC) VS Tim Maunder (TSB) and John Spoerry (GCSE)
Tim and John were great hosts, showing us the way around a tight and tricky course. Sussex played well together and combined better than the home team. Perfect timing ensured we reached the clubhouse just as the rain started. It was a good day. Won 4&2.
Match 4
Ivan Parnell and Trevor Haeger vs David Ball and Jonathan Brooke
Playing with David, a past course record holder (66) now playing off 1, gave us cause for concern. However, he was no match for young Trevor, who was only three over gross by the time they conceded defeat. Trevor is a future golfing star and soon to be playing off single figures. It was well worth the trip. Won 5&4
Match 5
Brian Hooker and Mickey Grimes vs Paul Graves and Austin Cashin
An excellent game. Both the Sussex lads hit every fairway in the right order. Birdies in the right places meant this was a comfortable win in a very friendly game. Won 5&3
Match 6
Andy Lamb and Ron Stevens vs Rod Jones and Doug Ebdon
A losing start was soon recovered, and the front nine was very close. Sussex changed gear and were three up in the blink of an eye. A slight comeback from the home side was not enough; two more wins sealed their fate. Won 4&2
Match 7
Keith Talbot and Malcolm Holmes vs Steve James and Claus Mathiesen
It was a great start, with Keith eagling the first with a glorious two. Steve and Claus fought back to level, and everything stayed like that until Malcolm broke the deadlock. Keith has never seen a course with so many hills (and he plays at East Brighton, which is nicely situated in lots of hills, Ed). Steve and Claus were in buggies. They were very smug about it. The Sussex boys went two up, then came the heavy rain. We decided that an honourable half was a fair result, and we squelched in – wet but happy. Half.
Match 8
Phil Manser and Nigel Powell vs Bob Barnes and John Mannering
Bob and John were great company, sorry Ed (You will be. Ed). Bob did have a moan as he was level par through four and two down!! Bob tried to spoil the game with a birdie on 11. We proved to be a good pair of anchors (how are you spelling that? Ed). Won 6&5.
Result - Buckinghamshire 2.5 – Sussex 5.5
So there you have it. We have finished the season. The ledger balances with 6 wins, 6 losses and 3 draws. Well done to everyone who played. Normally, when the courses are very hilly, we get a lot of moans about aged bones and tired legs. This time, everyone enjoyed the course, the day and most importantly, the company.
Junko was happy to move house without Nigel’s assistance, saying something about how he’d only get under her feet. Nigel was delighted not to have to do the moving as lifting things is not his forte.
The rain held off just long enough to get a result. The last couple of groups got a soaking.
Once the niceties were done, most of the team repaired to the Bel and Dragon, which rounded off a lovely day.
Until next year.
P.s. For the curious amongst you, I am reliably informed that Multiball only lost two balls.
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