The Captain Mike, Val Richards, Brian Street (C), Garry Styles
These days a number of Captains travel to distant venues a day earlier, prior to match day, to bond and acclimatise to the local conditions and test the selection of ales. On our way to the Havant Premier Inn training camp we heard of a “man down” situation! Neil Hayman telephoned the Captain to inform him that influenza had stricken him low, the problem where to find a reserve at this late juncture? Subsequent to many urgent calls none were able to travel so, a good friend Mark Terry, Secretary of Sussex Captains, agreed to play for Devon, hurrah. With this welcome news revealed the Devon athletes were able to continue with their bonding procedures, eating and drinking !
Arriving next morning at the match venue, Ham Manor, refreshed to the point of indulgence we discovered a prestigious clubhouse in excellent surroundings. An excellent manor house with all the facilities one would expect with full membership £1245 currently. With a full luncheon, after a full English breakfast a couple of hours earlier, phew, the announcement that Mark would be playing for Devon drew some good humoured banter from his Sussex team mates. Later,when the result was announced, it was revealed by his partner, Ben Lynch, that he had played the major part in their win for Devon, bravo !
The course, parkland with gentle elevations, was very good and approved warmly by the visitors. The only minus was simply that the Spring hollow tining had not yet recovered fully but still putted very well. On these occasions often old adversaries meet up and renew their rivalry, with humour and banter, which adds even more enjoyment and pleasure. The Captain, playing with his longstanding friend and club mate Val Richards, immediately threw down the gauntlet with a 3/2 win. This proved to be inspirational and the Devon team pressed hard. A marvellous and very unusual surprise awaited on the first tee, the Sussex and Devon insignias had somehow been downloaded and sprayed onto the grass, see the photographs attached to this report. Replete and warmed by victory our trusty drivers returned us to the Premier team camp to talk of feats and skills of the day.
Malcolm Jordain
TEAM & RESULTS SHEET SUSSEX 27TH APRIL 2017
