Dorset County Golf Union

County Amateur Championship 2014

Broadstone Golf Club 23 -25 May 2014

Stroke Play Qualifier - Garrett Salver.

The 2014 County Championship got under way at Broadstone with the course in fine condition a good test for the 63 players in this year’s Championship.  The rain was threating as we started and it was not to long before it started.  It continued to pour and it soon became clear the greens could not take to much and I was quickly out on the course with squeegee in hand.  By mid-morning play was suspended and given the rain was due to clear after lunch the players were brought in to take an early lunch whilst the committee looked at the possible options.  It was decided that we would continue to complete the first round and would forego the second round playing the Stroke Play qualifier over just eighteen holes as time and light would beat us.  Play resumed early afternoon after some sterling work by Martin and his crew that deserves all the praise as the course was presented in excellent condition and they worked hard to get us back out there once the rain had abated.
Some players were mighty happy that we were continuing with the first round as even in such trying conditions they had good score going and wished to continue whilst others maybe wished it had not!  County Captain early starter was home in 78 this was bettered by one by his club team mate David Norton on 77.  This was soon bettered by Giles Legg on 76 along with Weymouth’s John Blanks and Andrew Robson along with Broadstone’s Rob Atherton.  Young 15 year old Adam Harris Yeovil ground out a 75which was bettered by one by Tom Peacock, Tom Leech who was looking for his third Gold Medal and Pete Corrick who this year has put himself back into the County Scene and secured a team place.  Matt walker shot 73 and a disappointed Robbie Mabb handed in a 72 Jon welch was mightily disappointed with his one over71 as he had just had a seven down the seventeenth!  Young gun Tom Atkins from Parkstone also had 71 and pipped Jon for second place on count back but the winner was Weymouth’s Tom Robson with a level par 70 taking the Garrett Salver.  It was a day to be a Weymouth member as they also took the Team cup for the second year from Parkstone and will go forward to represent both their club and Dorset at the English Champion Club event later this year.

Friday winners were:

Stroke Play results

Team Results

Top 16 Stroke Play Qualifiers 36 holes scores – for the Matchplay event:

Match Play Draw 

Saturday saw more rain with some heavy down pours, we had to delay the start to allow the course a chance to dry, once this was done we got under way with the Matchplay stages of the Championship with the 16 Qualifiers eager to get on with it to find the 2014 Amateur Champion with Garrett winner Tom Robson leading the way against Sherborne’s Tom Lawrence Tom Robson took control and ran out winner 6&5.  Pete Corrick was up against Adam Harris and although tight for the front nine Pete’s experience came out in the end winning 4&2.  Next was two Weymouth players with Robbie Mabb up against Andrew Robson Robbie controlled the match and won 6&4.  Matt walker from Came Down against the Giles Legg Ferndown was always going to be a tight match d it swung towards Giles who was two up with four to play, Matt managed to even it up on the last when Giles found the trees of the tee and then went on to win on the second extra hole.  Tom Atkins up against another youngster George Seed from Lyme Regis d through the first 10 or eleven holes George seemed to have the upper hand but Tom hung on in and came out on top at the end 2&1. Tom Peacock was against John Blanks from Weymouth and it was nip and tuck all the way with John winning on the last.  Jon welch Weymouth was out next against Parkstone’s David Norton and was in total control at the turn being 5up David turned it round and Jon looked a little shell shocked after losing the last and the match by one.  Local lad Rob Atherton was out last against two time Champion Tom Leech looking for his third gold medal, Tom was against the rails early doors as Rob went three ahead but in usual Tom fashion he stuck in there and ground out a fine 2&1 victory.
So with the sun shining we got the delayed second round under way,  Tom was up against club team mate Pete a good game where Tom took control soon 5 ahead but Pete dug deep and pulled some holes back but Tom came out winner by 3&2.  Robbie Mabb took on Matt walker in a match that saw them throwing holes at each other Robbie just coming out on top by 2 holes.  Tom Atkins played John Blanks and again it was a tight match but john came good towards the latter part of the game winning 3&2.  The last was a tight match between Tom Leech and David Norton this was tight but Dave took control being two up after thirteen Tom once more dug deep and they stood all square on the last tee and when david found the trees off the tee Tom took advantage a ran out the winner by one.

Tom Robson v Robbie Mabb:  On paper this was a cracking semi and in the early stages it was nip and tuck, Robbie went one up on the eighth but then unlike him 3 stabbed the next to go back all square from there it all went downhill as Tom took the next five and a place in the final with a 5&4 win.

John Blanks v Tom Leech:  Again a scrappy affair with Tom possibly playing the better golf in the early stages and a birdie four on the ninth saw him turn 1 up he then went two up on the next but a great up and down on the next from the bunker saw john pull it back to one down.  He then found the ditch on the next and was back to two down.  Tom missed a great chance n the thirteenth to go three up and john took advantage on the next to again pull it back to one.  The next three were all halved and Tom found the trees off the last to let John in which he took to pull it back level they then went down the first and John found a great chip in for a birdie and after Toms putt slipped by the match.

Tom Robson v John Blanks:  A final where history was going to be made with an all Weymouth Final which meant Weymouth would have a County Champion for the first time, this intriguing final saw two club team mates battle it out for the crown and Gold Medal.  The first two holes saw honours even but a slip by John on the next saw Tom go one up and from there he seemed not to look back and by the turn he was 5 up.  Tom took the tenth to make it six, John then birdied the par three eleventh , and must feel slightly unlucky to hit a sprinkler head on his approach to the next and bounce out the back to again go six down.   John then took the next two holes before Tom wrapped up the match on the fifteenth securing the Championship and becoming the 2014 County Champion.   This was fully deserved by Tom who has put in a lot of hard work over the past two years and taken his game to a new level many Congratulations.  As for John it is nice to see him back in the County scene and I am sure we will see much more of him over the coming years.

Lastly on behalf of the Dorset Golf Union a thank you to the Broadstone Management Committee,  Members and staff for allowing us the use the course for the 2014 Amateur Championship.  The course was presented by the staff in excellent condition and proved a good test of golf for all players concerned, the bar and catering staff kept everyone fed and watered, the committee, club members and staff have been a delight making all the players and officials very welcome. Thank you.

We also thank our Sponsor Ringwood Brewery who kindly gave the club two barrels of their finest ale for hosting this years County Championship.

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