On Monday 9 July our Scratch Team traveled to Springwater looking for their third consecutive win in the Nottinghamshire County League Second Division. On a pleasantly warm evening with less intense heat than of late there was a light breeze to welcome the players. Like so many courses after the recent hot spell the Springwater Course had the appearance of an inland Links Course but the Greens were very lush and perfect for putting.
Paul Calland returning to our Team was our lead man and after looking favourite on the first had to settle for a half. The second was also halved before Paul went ahead on the 3rd. He increased that lead to 2 but then lost the 6th only to restore his 2 hole lead on the 7th . However his opponent fought back to level the match by the 12th but consecutive wins on the 15th and 16th put Paul dormie 2 up. He lost 17 which meant that the match went all the way. On the 18th Paul made an excellent sand save to ensure he won a fine match 1 up to give his team a winning start.
Behind him Callum Fern after halving the first took the lead with a birdie at the 2nd and from that stage never looked back. Playing against the Home Team Captain Callum continued to play the quality of golf that we have come to expect from our County Champion and never looked to be in any danger as he steadily built on that lead to close out his match by 6&5.
In the third match Chris Kearney started hesitatingly and was 2 down after 4 holes. He won the 5th only to lose the 6th . A birdie on the 8th helped his cause and as he entered the back 9 he went on a run that included more birdies which completely turned round a match that seemed as though it would go all the way and so Chris won by 3&2 for another fine win.
In the fourth match Robin Moody started well by winning the first and then there was a succession of halves before Robin lost the 7th for the match to be level. On the par 3 8th Robin was buried in the greenside bunker but managed to splash out to the fringe and he chipped in to save his Par and so halve the hole. The game continued to be close and Robin was 1 down by the 11th only to be back in the lead by the 14th. He won the 16th to increase that lead to 2 and when he won the 17th he took the match by 3&1.
In the final match Alex lost the first and after 3 holes was 2 down. An eagle at the par 5 4th reduced that deficit to 1 but he lost the 6th to once again be 2 down. Fighting back, yet not quite displaying the form that we know he possesses, he was in the lead for the first time playing the 10th. This was a lead that he continued to hold and although he increased it to 2 it was back to 1 again as they played the 17th which was halved. Both players were in the greenside bunker at the 18th . Alex played an excellent bunker shot to 5 feet and when his opponent failed to get out of the bunker at the first attempt he conceded the match to Alex by the margin of 2 up.
So our Team scored their third consecutive win by the convincing margin of 5-0 although to be fair to Springwater two of the matches went to the final Green and another to the 17th . Nevertheless this was another fine win for our Team on a course notoriously difficult for visiting Teams.
This weeks results featured a surprise with the seemingly runaway League leaders, Wollaton Park, losing 5-0 away to Rufford Park. This really opens up the league with Wollaton having just 2 matches left both away to Oakmere Park and College Pines.
Ourselves, like Rufford and Oakmere, have 3 matches left so in the remaining weeks the battle for top place could become very interesting.
Our remaining 3 matches are all at Home but we must be in our very best form in all of these matches. The first of those matches will be particularly testing when we entertain Rufford Park who will be very confident after their fine victory against Wollaton Park. This match will be played next Monday 16 July on our Championship Course starting at 4-30 pm.
It is to be hoped that there will be a good turnout of our members to support our Team in what will be a crucial game when such support can be a deciding factor in close matches. I look forward to seeing you there.
