Gloucestershire Golf Union
U14's WIN against Somerset at Wells GC
With a late drop out and pea soup fog over the Mendips the omens weren't great for our return to Wells GC to take on Somerset. However a last minute call up and the mist staying up above the club meant we were ready for a full days play against a Somerset team that have had the better of us the last few years
Ernie Elford making his debut started us off for the morning foursomes splitting the fairway for captain Alex before being well followed by Jack Lockwood, Luis, Josh and Alfie all finding the right side of the tricky first
The opening holes saw the top matches build early leads and managed to get things wrapped up on the Par 5 8th whereas the third and fifth matches saw the tricky tight Wells layout force both matches to the 9th went to the 8th but we couldn't quite get the putts to drop and Somerset got points back
After a light lunch the boys prepped to go out for 10 singles matches and again all drove the ball well into play and started to build leads. As we moved into the newer holes from the 5th Jack, Alex, Luis and Alfie all were building strong leads although Alex did have the unusual situation of a dog sprint on to the 8th and grab his ball as it made its way to the hole!
With boys from both teams playing great golf despite the looming drizzly rain at the half way point we had some strong leads and even though down in the 9th match Sammy was playing under his handicap just facing an on fire opponent. The sizeable leads and some smart play meant we had early points on the board from Jack, Luis, Alfie and Alex while Jack was inches away from a hole in one on the 10th before closing his match out on the 16th. For Sammy eventually the hot streak got him to get Somerset their first point of the afternoon while Will just couldn't quite get a risk to pay off to get his opponent back and Somerset got a further point. With super sub Josh finally closing his match out on 17 we were just left with the top and bottom match out there with Ernie playing the Somerset top player some 4 shots lower than him and Sonny giving up at times 50-60 yards off the tee. Both matches went down 18 with Ernie just not being able to get his putt to drop to get a half while Sonny made a solid 2 putt to get his win
The spirit and way all the boys went about the matches with lots of chat and congratulations was great credit to them all whatever the result. Huge thanks to Chris and the Somerset team for hosting us and Wells GC for providing an ideal venue and great food. Also a huge thanks to all the Ian Hughes and the parents for not only getting the boys there but providing such great and much appreciated support
With the season now well under way focus will shift between a match with the CAP squad and the various Jeff Hall OOM opens across the county
Tom Gillespie GGU U14 Squad Manager
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