SUGC v TEESSIDE

MIDDLESBOROUGH GOLF CLUB: SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2019

The day dawned reasonably fair with a threat of rain in the afternoon. The course looked in good condition and so did the play of the Sheffield foursomes with positive scores on the opening holes. So far so good, but something happened ‘snake-like’ with all our first three pairs suffering consecutively lost holes towards the end of the second half, thus all recording game losses. Nay bother, the last three pairs adjusted the balance for a lunchtime points score of 6-6. The new pairing of Michael Sowerby/Lewis Gill won 4&2, Richard Hanson/Iain Melville, after losing two holes from the 14th, won 1up after Iain had contributed a chip-in at the 16th for a birdie, and Mark Woodall/Neil Allen recorded a 2&1 win.

So, all to play for in the afternoon with the wind strengthening to blustery. Again the omens looked good with all games except two with positive scores for Sheffield players after the first half. But who was it that dared to mention ‘snakes’? After Ollie held on to win 1up, of the succeeding seven games five ended up losing with the other two, Brandon Perry and Jon Berrisford, recording A/S results. We officials, standing on the 15th tee, then predicted that all the remaining players had to finish their games with ‘must-win’ scores for the overall match score to end with honours even. In the event, three players succeeded as the rain began to fall; Lewis with a notable 4&2 win, Iain and Neil also won; but that darned snake raised its head again for Richard when his putt for a win on the 18th lipped out, thus his ending up A/S. The match score was 19-17 to Teesside, reflecting that the opposition were yet again too good on the day. As the captain said: “It’s just not happening for us this season.....”

However, the prize for the best performance has to be awarded to our captain, Neil Allen, who at the very last moment had to take his clubs out of his car to rush to the first tee to join Mark in the last foursome. Reason? Nick King’s car broke down within three miles of the club, but despite desperate efforts to get it started, was towed back home. Neil not only recorded a fine foursome win with Mark Woodall, but also a spectacular 6&4 win in his singles match, thus surely earning the title of ‘super sub’! He justifiably had a broad smile on his face – congratulations, Neil.

Martin Brewis

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