Sussex Golf Captains
Sussex v Kent
While debate still rages about the validity of our humiliating loss to the Lady Captains, the big question is whether Ian maintains what he considers an unbeaten record.
Last year, Kent Captains took us to northern France and inflicted our biggest defeat of the season, 7 ½ to 2 ½. Would we, with home-field advantage, be able to get our revenge? How would the battle of the Lamb brothers turn out? Can Andy triumph, or will Dick lead Andy to the slaughter? Would half the team manage to get past the Eastbourne Airshow traffic? How was the beer? And will there be an update on the chips? These questions and more will be answered in this week’s edition of Sussex Soap! (Don’t you think 80’s TV reference is a little obscure? Ed) (No, have you seen the age of our team? JA).
(Get on with it! Ed)
Match One
Ian Potter (Captain) and Tony Hunt (Cooden Past Captain) faced David Skinner (Captain) and Lynn Mercer (President) in the battle of the gongs. David and Tony started well and were two up at the turn. The Sussex got into gear and won four on the trot. They got to dormy three, lost 16 and 17, but held on to win 1 UP.
Match Two
Brian Street and Joe Angella took on Mike Stephens and Peter Morris. Joe and Brian got hammered, and not in a good way, by a couple of Kent’s finest. Peter tried to kill Tony Hunt with a wild slice on 14. Mike managed to find his ball, the jammy bugger, and Peter had 26 after 12 holes, something he wouldn’t shut up about. The highlight of the round was the WW2 flypast! Still, it was a great game. Lost 5&4.
Match Three
Pete Roger and Peter Hawley faced Paul Roberts and Allan Payne. The two Peter’s enjoyed an excellent match with Paul and Allan. They went two up early, but Sussex managed to pull them back to level. The back nine saw the Kent’s par seven holes, leaving Sussex scratching their heads. Well done, Kent. Lost 3 and 2.
Match Four
Norman Beaney (Local Resident) and Keith Hayward were up against Roger Cruttenden and Harry Dunk. Sussex played really well, but Harry and Roger were the better chippers and putters. The match went to the seventeenth before Kent claimed victory. According to the local resident, it wasn’t blowing a hooley, more of a gentle breeze. Lost 2 and 1.
Match Five
Richard Cowlard and Simon Watts took on Simon Worton and Reg Grace. After a competitive couple of holes, the Kent’s better play began to tell. We hung on for a while, with Richard mounting a rearguard action, but to no avail; they were just too good. Lost 3 and 2.
Match Six
Phil Manser and Andy Plowright enjoyed a stroll along the beach with Bob Harris and Andy Gee. Phil and Andy were an immaculate conception, a pair made in heaven, divinely blessed, a product of God’s best work while maintaining some humility…The Kent’s had no luck with the strong wind, the rough and the greens. Sussex did play well, being three over gross after 12. Won Eight and Six.
Match Seven
Andy Lamb (the slaughtered one) and Mickey Grimes against Richard Lamb (the Butcher) and Craig Hendleman. Another close match between the Lamb brothers with Mick and Craig looking on. Dick and Craig claimed revenge for last year. Sussex started well, with halves on the first four holes, but a two-up lead at the turn was clawed back. Kent held on to their lead to win two up. Sussex were roasted, doused in gravy and garnished with mint sauce. Lost 2 Down
Match Eight
John Macaulay and Mitch Clark against Nigel Digweed and Graham Sutherland. Sussex took on two golfers from the Kent coast. They knew how to play in the wind. Sussex never stood a chance. They were nice blokes though. Lost 3 and 1.
Match Nine
Richard Codd and Nigel Wates faced Adrian Foster and Tony Davies. The Nevill boys eventually held on to beat an excellent Kent pairing. It was nip and tuck all the way around. Sussex were never down. Adrian helped the result enormously by hitting the life buoy on the 15th and ricocheting 70 yards back. Won 2 and 1.
Match Ten
Tim Ingram and Pete O’Neill were up against John Johnson and Bev Taylor. This was a very tight match, with no more than one hole in it. Kent led first, but Sussex clawed it back. Kent fielded an Octagenarian and a Septuagenarian against Sussex’s Aquarian and Sagittarian, and experience came to the fore. The match was all square on the last; we offered a gentleman’s half, but they declined. Kent won the 18th with a par, and Sussex retired in ignominy and defeat. Lost 1 Down.
Result Sussex 3 – Kent 7
There you have it, another great day at golf, but now Ian’s undefeated run is definitely over. Once again, Kent gave Sussex a thrashing, a walloping, an absolute roasting (This is becoming tiresome. Ed).
We have an excellent relationship with Kent but back-to-back thrashings are hard to take; maybe next year, we can stop it being three defeats in a row.
Food update: Cooden kept an almost endless supply of fries coming, always a hit with hungry golfers. The only cask ale on was Harvey’s Best Bitter; this was in perfect condition with a rich colour, a bright shine and full flavour. If you only serve one ale, make it a goodie. As for dinner, bangers and mash, followed by sponge and custard, lovely. Not a complaint in the house. Golf club catering doesn’t need to be complicated; do simple food well, and everyone is happy.
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
