Result – Match Lost 4 - 2.

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On a very warm, sunny but humid afternoon our 2020 season continued at The Vale on Tuesday 15th September where our members took on representatives of The Worcestershire Golf Captains.

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Following a bacon roll and coffee on the terrace, under full Covid-19 measures and some juggling of the match pairings, we teed off on this long but interesting course. I must make special mention of thanks to Chris Wagstaff who agreed to play on his own as we were unexpectedly one player short.

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Sadly the course was not in pristine condition due to the hot weather earlier in the year on its fairways, where picking & placing was in operation. Our visit also coincided with their maintenance week and the greens had been hollow tined and sanded.

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Their pairings proved to be extremely competitive and we were soundly beaten in some matches. Excellent victories were recorded by President Ian & Tony Gough (3&2) and Past Captain Paul & John Christie (2&1). I was partnered with Brendan Nunan against their stand-in Captain Kevin Woodham & Vale member Rob Millward, who played really well to his 9 h’cap. Our short games let us down. We never holed a putt until the 18th and lost 2&1!

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Creditable halves were achieved by Dereck Butler & Ian Watkins and Clive Fluck & John Dymock. Pat White & Alan Robinson lost 1 down. Phil Payne & Richard Salter found two opponents from the wild west and suffered a considerable reverse. Chris Wagstaff also came second by a margin against another unforgiving pair.

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As each match concluded we dined in our separate four balls to facilitate a prompt exit. The food was excellent.

 

There followed no speeches but I did get the opportunity to carry out a virtual presentation of the trophy back to Kevin, the winning Captain. (We had won at Gloucester last year but didn’t receive the trophy as Kevin had forgotten to bring it).

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Thanks go to the Match Managers , Clive Fluck (GGC) and John Eastoe (Worcs), for their administration. I also asked Rob to thank the management and catering staff for facilitating this fixture.

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Sam Collins.

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