Dorset County Golf Union
Dorset Seniors v Devon
Dorset Seniors v Devon
20th May 2024
Dorset Seniors met at The Warren Golf Club in Dawlish on Sunday 19th May to practice for their first Channel League match of the season versus Devon Seniors on the following day.
The weather was warm and sunny and although the team had not played the course previously, confidence was high.
The Warren Golf Club was founded in 1892 and is on a conservation area near Dawlish.
It is a good old fashioned links course with natural contours, many blind spots and slick undulating greens, an ideal venue for a host County to take a match, with local knowledge a key consideration.
The morning session of the match on Monday did not go well for Dorset.
Devon had 4 host Club members in their side and the remainder of their team were also very familiar with the course. Dorset managed to halve 2 matches in the morning but lost the rest and so were 1-4 down at lunch. Turning this around was going to be a massive task.
In the afternoon, the games were finely balanced for the first 9 holes with only Gary Earl and Todd Sothcott holding a significant lead. Gerry Whiteley had drawn the short straw playing long time local member and Devon Captain Tim Aggett.
As the afternoon matches progressed the expected result became more in doubt as Gary and Todd pressed home their advantage.
John Smith recorded a fine tight win on the 18th in the first game, Gerry lost to some exceptional golf from Tim Aggett and then Todd and Gary came in with fine wins.
Dave Barton fought hard for a fine half and Steve Sidney followed him in with a good win.
Now the improbable seemed possible as both teams were out following and supporting the last 4 matches.
Mark Stickley lost a tight game but Mike Spearing managed a half from 1 down going down 18.
Pete Jarvis who had played through Vince Joyce on a previous hole, was 3 down at the turn but came back in 34 with 3 birdies including a tremendous birdie at 18 to snatch victory in his first match for the Dorset Seniors.
It was then all depending on Vince who had fought back from 1 down to be level on 18.
We would either halve or win the match depending on the 18th. Vince played a great second into 18 and his opponent missed the green. Vince finished with 2 solid putts and the match was won with our last putt in the last match on the last green.
An almost impossible turn around in the afternoon by Dorset Seniors who fought magnificently and showed tremendous team spirit against a strong Devon side that had a significant home advantage.
The Team did Dorset proud!
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