With the tour now over, the team are in full flow as we get the regular matches underway. We packed our bags and headed off to the seaside.
Match 1
Nigel Wates and Trevor Haegar took on Dave Picton and Sean Keen. It was a lovely day and a great course. Sean, the local Captain, had four birds and showed us how the game should be played. (Well, your report is certainly succinct, but where's the detail? Are we to assume you didn't win a hole? Did Nigel foozle? Etc… Ed.) Lost 3&2
Match 2
Andy Lamb and Steve Dillamore faced Chris Lay and John Crockett. A fiercely fought match which ebbed and flowed. Starting up, we soon fell behind before recovering to all square. We went one down with three to play, a half followed by a win with Steve's six-footer bringing us all square again. A half on the last meant this epic match finished all square. (That's more like it. Ed) Half.
Match 3
Harold Knight and Richard Jays played Rick Dodd and Charles Foster. Rick and Charles were excellent hosts. It was a hard-fought contest, but they came out on top with the last putt on Eighteen. Rick had a totally uncalled-for run of birdies. Lost 1 Down.
Match 4
Ian' Harry' Potter and David Balfour played Terry Pettifer and Ralf Nubeebuckus. It was well worth the drive down; they were great company. I played with Harry; he most helpfully had his magic wand (Ohh Matron. Ed) out… he never missed a putt. The Dorset guys said, "If he gets another putt, he will get another… (Undecipherable word, but I guess it was probably something rude. Ed) Won 6 & 5.
Match 5
Keith Talbot and Des Malcolm had a great game against Gordon Mutton and Graeme King. Our match was very much a game of two halves, but unfortunately, we lost both! The first nine were quite even as Des fought bravely, whilst Keith was minimal support. The back nine saw Keith revive, but pars were not good enough, and our brave duo succumbed to Gordon and Graeme on the sixteenth. (See Nigel, that's how you write a match report!. Ed). Lost 3 & 2.
Match 6
Martin Tugwell and Pete O'Neill faced up to Mick Hobden and Peter Samuel. The best part of the day was the weather! All the bunkers were in my way. It was competitive golf, with great company, but Mick said the 'five net four' too often. It was very enjoyable to come second. Lost 4&3.
Match 7
Mitch Clark and Bryan Mundy took on Chris Terndrup and Ian Binnie. Well, we were like a dog's mess on a blanket! They couldn't shake us off. We were four down after four but got it back and played very well. It was good company and lots of fun. Won 1 Up.
Match 8
Harvey Terry and Phil Manser beat John Knight and David Recardo. We enjoyed the company of Alan and David, and the game was played in good spirit. The course was in excellent condition, and we were very welcome; it was a fantastic venue. After going three down over 12 holes, we ham and egged it back in, coming out winners. Harvey made a par on the last to secure the win. Won 1 Up.
There you have it, a delightful day's golf in Bournemouth. Unfortunately, the wrong team won, but the weather was great, the hosts were friendly, and we had a lovely dinner.