Dorset County

Dorset Seniors returned to Cornwall for our Channel League match versus Cornwall at West Cornwall Golf Club near St Ives, just 10 days after returning from the South West Senior Championships at Newquay. The weather was not so kind on this visit and we had wind and rain on and off for the practice and match days.

West Cornwall Golf Club is the oldest club in Cornwall and although not unduly long is very quirky with many blind tee shots, hidden sloping fairways and tricky greens, an ideal course for a team with home knowledge to bring visitors to. Cornwall having just pipped Dorset at Newquay to qualify for the National Seniors Finals had a strong side out and were at a considerable advantage on their home course.

The morning greensomes went Dorset’s way, with all pairings working well, resulting in a healthy, if somewhat flattering lead at lunch. The afternoon was a different story. John Smith and Gary Earl soon established leads in their matches and eventually had comfortable wins. The rest of the Dorset Team were under pressure and late in the match it seemed that Cornwall might turn the morning result around and gain an unexpected win.

A number of matches Dorset were hopeful of winning or gaining a half, were ultimately lost on the last few holes, but Tony Coles and Ashley Beckett both came up with wins to give Dorset the necessary points. Importantly, Tony turned a 2 down in the back nine around, and with an audacious 2 putts from 30 yards out on the 18th won a much-needed point for the Dorset team.

Ashley Beckett was comfortably up midway through the back 9 but went from 3 up to 1 up in 2 holes. He then battled back courageously to 2 up and a fine up and down on 17 saw him win 3 and 1 against Cornwall’s Captain who knew the course very well having been a West Cornwall member for many years.

The Dorset team celebrated their unbeaten run of five Channel League wins from five with an excellent meal and superb hospitality provided by West Cornwall Golf Club.

The mighty Dorset Seniors march on to their next match at North Wilts Golf Club versus Wiltshire on 25th August.

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