SENIORS SURVIVE ANOTHER THRILLER

In-form Gary Fullwood ( pictured) held his nerve coming down the last to secure a vital point for Sheffield Union’s seniors’ team yesterday.

His final drive at wind-swept Baildon GC travelled an astonishing 410 yards leaving him with a wedge and  two putts  for a birdie and a point that tied the match against Bradford 18-18.

Fullwood, who recently won Wath GC club championship with a 68 and a equalled course record of 63 was clearly delighted with his tee shot from an elevated tee with wind behind.

“I certainly got hold of that one,” he said, as Sheffield maintained its position at the top of the Yorkshire inter district league, despite surrendering its 100 per cent record.

There had been little in the contest throughout the day, with the morning foursomes shared 6-6, and the afternoon singles evenly poised all the way. Conditions dictated that neither side was ever likely to run away with things. Ben Brewster recorded a handsome win at the top of the order, and Bradford soon equalised in the second game, in which Matt Evans was making a welcome return to Sheffield colours following his reinstatement to the amateur ranks.Team captain  Richard Hodgkinson who recently won the SUGC Mid-Amateur Championship also notched a good win.

Games continued to be exchanged, until all fell to Fullwood who secured his birdie by leaving his first putt dead. (see picture)

Team captain, Richard Hodgkinson, said: "We knew when we saw the fixture list at the beginning of the season that this game presented a major challenge." "Few courses in Yorkshire demand local knowledge as much as Baildon, and in these conditions for a visiting team to come away with a draw represents a good return."

Two games remain and victories in both would guarantee Sheffield a fourth consecutive title. The next game, against York at Fulford on 17th August, has all the makings of a title decider.

A delighted SUGC president Martin Brewis who watched the drama unfold said: “Nerve-jangling finishes appear to be becoming the norm for Sheffield's senior team at the moment. “Congratulations to all the team for battling against the most challenging of elements in the best of golfing spirits."

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