MATCH Worcestershire vs GGC at The Vale on Tuesday 15th September 2020.
Result – Match Lost 4 - 2.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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).
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.
Sam Collins.