
Alastair Grieve – Neil Hayman – Julian Netherway – Richard Beard
I spent much of Saturday evening expecting a text, phone call or email, with regard to the dire forecast for Sunday 8th September and the final to be played at Churston GC, came there none ! So, the finalists and myself arrived at Churston equipped with wet weather kit and fears of deluge, thunderstorms and possibly more ! The reality, no rain worth mentioning until the match was settled on the 18th, enjoying libations’ in the clubhouse in celebration, for we were all winners, weatherwise, the skies opened and the threat of rain commenced.
The match itself was therefore played in fine conditions and of course in excellent spirit, as one would expect. Julian chipped to a few inches on the first for a par three, Honiton one up. On the second Neil chipped in for a birdie three, all square. Neil, playing off 12 at Churston and gave three shots each to Julian and Richard, his partner Alastair receiving seven. The Honiton pair then asserted their shared responsibility and won through to three up at the turn, Julian displaying some devastating putting. The Stover boys were on the ropes however, with two more birdies from Neil an excellent 4 nett 3 for Alastair on 12 suddenly the Stover pair were all square, a worthy fightback!
All square playing 16 Honiton won with a par, one up, Alastair the only one receiving a shot on 17 played a wonderful pitch from well short of the green, 3 nett 2, all square. The eighteenth, no shots, Neil hit a very good shot to about 10 feet and looked to be “in the driving seat”, Julian, playing his second from a not very good drive, had a putt from 25/30 feet and for his second birdie “canned it”. You can possibly guess the outcome, Neil missed his putt for what would have been his fourth birdie, Honiton the victors.
An enjoyable day for all, including the two Stover caddies Jeff Steward and Jan Hayman, ensuring as always Neil was on the straight and narrow, golfwise. My thanks to Churston for hosting the event on a Sunday. Looking forward to next year, I will hopefully be available for the 2025 championship if required. Finally, thank you to all the competitors who entered this year and hope to see you all again next year.
Malcolm Jordain
