The final of the 2014-15 CGU Cornwall Team Championship took place at Newquay GC yesterday (Sunday 22^nd March 2015) between Bude and North Cornwall and Trevose and it was the latter who came away with the spoils after what appears on paper to be a comprehensive victory but in reality was a much closer affair. This was Trevose’s 13^th winning of the title and they will now go on to represent Cornwall in the England Golf Champion Club event taking place at Brancepeth Castle, Durham in September.

On a glorious Newquay day full of sunshine and light if slightly chilly winds the players from both teams were treated to good conditions for the final.

The Bude Team pictured above with Team Captain Llew Courtenay

The Trevose team pictured before the start of play

Trevose took the advantage through the morning foursomes matches where they established a 3-1 lunchtime lead. Trevose General Manager and Team Captain Nick Gammon and his partner Jon Tremain beat Bude’s Adam Curtis and Mark Jenkins 3&1 in the opening foursome.

Bude's Cornwall County player Adam Curtis gets the CTC Final underway

They were followed by Welsh international Ben Westgate playing with Carl Burley as they defeated former County Captain Steve Rickard and the winner of last year’s Devon County Championship Danny Vanstone by a 2&1 margin. The third foursome went the way of Bude as club stalwarts Lawrie Bridges and Alan Armit beat Guy Norris and Lee Cunningham by the odd hole. Trevose took another scalp but again only by the one hole as Richard Ackland and Niall Hutton beat Mike Wigley and Connor Jenkins 2&1. The potentially valuable 9th man single was won by Bude as Shaun Marshall beat late replacement Tom McIntyre 2&1 to give Bude hope for the afternoon singles. McIntyre was called in late after Trevose ever present Gary Hawking was injured on the eve of  the final.

In continuing excellent conditions the eight afternoon singles saw one comprehensive win for both teams but much closer matches in the remainder. Bude’s Vanstone saw off Tremain 5&4 and Trevose’s Burley beat Mark Jenkins 6&5. With Trevose only needing 3.5 points from the singles one was in the bag and attention turned to the ongoing intriguing matches. Of the remaining 6 singles three were decided on the 18^th hole and two on the 17^th.

Westgate was 2 up on Curtis after 16 and retained his advantage to win 2&1. Gammon and Rickard were locked together in a close battle but Trevose also took this match by just the one hole. Gammon had taken the one hole lead down 18 but when he missed his approach left and found an awkward lie Rickard had the chance to step in but instead found a greenside bunker. Gammon pitched nicely into the heart of the 18^th and although Rickard came out well  he could not hole the putt required to put any pressure on Gammon. Three of the required points were now in the bag for Trevose.

Youth was taking on experience as Hutton was playing against Bridges and only the one hole advantage for the former separated the pair on the 18^th tee. Hutton hit a long drive but the shorter Bridges needing to win the hole left himself a long way back. Into the prevailing wind he hit a superb second to within touching distance of the green. With Hutton missing the green left there was still a chance. However he pitched well onto the green and when Bridges third shot ran on past the flag with Hutton in relatively close the match was over and Trevose had the victory.

Cunningham ran out a 2&1 winner over Armit and Norris beat Connor Jenkins by the odd hole and in the final match Ackland and Wigley agreed a half.

Newquay GC Vice Captain Dick Rundle welcomed the teams and the Cornwall Golf Union to the club and expressed his delight the premier team championship was being staged there.

CGU President David Inch thanked Newquay GC its committee and membership for their hospitality and for providing an excellent venue for the final. He congratulated both teams on reaching the final and presented awards to both.

The winning Trevose CTC team with CGU President David Inch.

Both Captains thanked Newquay GC for their hospitality and paid tribute to the efforts made by the club in preparation for the final. Bude Team Captain Llew Courtenay congratulated Trevose on their win and thanked his team who he said had done themselves and the club proud. Nick Gammon praised Bude for the excellent spirit in which the final had been played. He felt the scoreline was flattering on the basis of a number of close matches that could have gone either way, but nevertheless he was delighted to win and thanked his team.

Matchsheet

Further images to follow