Tylney Park is a beautifully established estate parkland converted into a 1018 yard golf course with large undulating greens. The weather was virtually wind free and blessed with glorious sunshine. It did not make the course any easier to play with its many twists and turns, severely angled dog-legs and ups and downs.
Foursomes
The results of the morning’s foursomes matches included a 3:2 win for Hampshire against Dorset and a 4:1 win for Sussex against us. Sussex beat Hampshire 3:2. As the points scheme awards 2 points for a win and 1 point to each side for a half Sussex had gained 14 points to Hampshire’s 10 and our 6. Not the most promising of starts but not without some hope against Hampshire. Well done Dan Oliver and Ashley Colloff against both counties and Billy-Joe Bugden and Tom Parsons against Hampshire. Some of the matches were quite close.
Singles
These commenced at 1.30pm after all three teams had enjoyed a light lunch. The boys went out in threes, each playing the other. This format presents a few challenges in accurate record keeping, concentration and care when awarding a “gimme” putt. The full match results are attached. Our only success against Hampshire was a half from Tom Parsons. With a few tight matches against Sussex we still only managed a half from James Dodds. Hampshire trounced Sussex by 15 points to 5. The overall points scored were Hampshire 44, Sussex 38 and Dorset 8. The shield going once again to Hampshire!
Our team comprised Billy-Joe Bugden, Ashley Colloff, James Dodds, Jordan Howlett, Nathan Lake, Tom Murphy, Dan Oliver, Tom Parsons, Alex Shenton and Ollie Stocks. Many of our big names were unavailable due to work commitments, other major golf events or holidays. To do well in this we need to be at full strength and should endeavour to be so next year. I am grateful both to those who came as late entries and to Ian Clark and many parents who supported the boys throughout the day.
Thanks are due Hampshire for their excellent hosting of the event and the club for allowing us to play. We also look forward to hosting the counties on our home territory next year.