Match Result – Lost 2 ½ to 5 ½

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Sixteen of our number met up at Stinchcombe Hill on a glorious early autumnal morning. Our objective was to win back the trophy we last won at Gloucester in 2019. To this end we fielded a very strong looking team on paper. Yet again some of our pairs discovered that WHS on this occasion stood for Worcestershire handicap system!

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The course was in excellent condition and looking great in the beautifully sunny weather. Some of the views were magnificent and greatly impressed our visitors who had not played at this venue before.

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There were a couple of creditable performances from our team but unfortunately most of us experienced a lack of good fortune, no more so than Nick Broady whose approach to 18th green found a temporary green hole on the front apron leading to them only able to salvage a half rather than a 1 up victory. He was not happy!

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I had the pleasure of playing with our Secretary Jim Ford against Captain Alex Bishop from Droitwich and Paul Lovegrove, a past member at Cleeve Cloud. Both Alex and Jim played off 5 and produced some great golf. There were lots of pars and birdies. Despite all Jim’s efforts, with very little help from me, we went down 3&2. Alex & Paul both had some outstanding results off the tee and round the greens. Alex drove the first and was on the only par 5 in two. Paul, 14 years marshalling as a team leader on the European Tour and The Solheim Cup in Ireland in 2011, possessed a short game worthy of a full member of the tour, finishing birdie, par, birdie and played far better than his 12 handicap.

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Our usually reliable pair of Match Manager Clive Fluck and John Dymock also lost 3&2. Last out Past Captain Paul Drinkwater playing with “virgin” Richard Mobley lost 2&1 as did Richard Salter and Phil Payne. Our heaviest defeat of the day befell my Vice-Captain Dereck Buttler playing with one of the stars of my Captain’s Day Mark Anderson. They went down 7&6!

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Despite Nick Broady & Alastair Harvey unluckily losing their 1 up lead on the 18th we recorded two 5&4 victories by John Christie & Roger Downes and Brendan Nunan partnering 2022 Vice-Captain Elect Geoff Lowe. They were lucky their matches finished early as the last four groups were severely delayed by some very slow play in match five due to one visitor playing marginally slower than coastal erosion. (Allegedly he was not in the best of health). I am sure that contributed to Nick’s frustration and Gus losing his match!

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All players from matches 1 to 4 were suited and booted and watching in the sunshine from the shaded tables & chairs outside the clubhouse the various groups of members who had cut across in front of them finishing their games.

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We were well looked after by the catering & bar staff with good service and nice food. A thoroughly enjoyable day out, more so for the visitors who conveniently forgot to bring the trophy with them saving me the embarrassment of having to present it back to their captain AGAIN!

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Sam Collins