Ben Lynch – Andy Carter – David Barker – John Paterson
The final match of the matchplay season for both counties was at the Long Sutton Golf Club, once again a new experience for most of us Devon men. On a very pleasant warm sunny day the course, as everywhere hard and running, proved to be quite tricky. Thanks to our opponents volunteering guidance and information, there is a ditch meandering throughout much of the course, we managed to avoid many of the pitfalls awaiting the naïve golfer. If one were to play the course again, on many holes the driver would stay in the bag. The course requires and benefits from strategic play and knowledge, the greens having recently received its maintenance procedures were not yet back to 100% appearance but putted very well.
With the Autumn season so close I think most golfers are looking forward to some rain, preferably at night, softening and ‘greening up’ fairways to a more uniform appearance and losing the rather unattractive hardpan lies. As always matches were played in very agreeable spirit and in particular the match with Ben Gliddon and Rob Ford, Rob offered a very noble half to my partner Lew Easter and I on the 18th green, great sportsmanship and produced an overall half in the match. The after match meal was extremely good and approved by all. Thanks to all from both captains to the club, members and staff for their hospitality. With no trophy to hand, a subsequent search discovered that Somerset still retained it, we look forward to attempting to win it back next year at Sidmouth GC.
Half time for Ben and Brian, I look forward to seeing many of you next week at Exeter G&CC for Captain’s Day, good golfing and stay safe and well until next year.
Malcolm Jordain
Result sheet for Somerset Captains 30th August 2018
