Cornwall’s premier Team Championship was won yesterday by Trevose in a very close encounter with north coast rivals St Enodoc.

Trevose, who win the Cornwall Team Championship for the 14th time in its 68-year history, just managed to eclipse their opponents in a match decided effectively on the 17th green of the last remaining match on the course after 36 holes of competition.

Staged at a very well presented Perranporth course, the early exchanges were conducted in damp conditions with heavy early morning rain giving way to better weather and eventually glorious sunshine. St Enodoc had the edge after the morning matches after the two foursomes were shared. However, the often-important 9th Man single went their way after Joe Combellack beat Jon Tremain 2&1. The lunchtime halfway point score thus stood at 2.75 – 2 in St Enodoc’s favour.

Predictions ahead of the final were this would be a tight match too close to call and these proved correct. Although a number of the singles saw convincing wins for both sides there were not as many close afternoon matches as perhaps had been anticipated. Nevertheless the overall outcome was a long time in coming as things see-sawed across the afternoon.

St Enodoc drew first blood as an inspired Mike Masters did not put a front nine foot wrong and marched to a 7&6 win over Cary Clark and at much the same time his team mate Steve Chapman recorded a 6&4 win over Craig Thomas. Trevose though fought back with two wins of their own as first Joe Reynard had a 5&4 win over Guy Hovill and then Tom Stephens with a 6&5 victory over Dave Lupton. Honours even at this point.

Liam Wilson (above) for Trevose was 3 up on Ian Jolliff through 14 but lost the 15th and shared a half with his opponent on the 16th before registering a 3&1 win on 17. Trevose had edged ahead. Matt Morris at number 8 for Trevose looked very classy as he finished off Neil Childs 4&3 putting his side closer to the line. The singles scoreline was now 4-2 in favour of Trevose.

Two matches were left on the course. Josh Greenaway for St Enodoc was two up on Nick Gammon through 14 but the latter was fighting hard and took the game to the 18th green where Greenaway claimed a 1 up win. (scores now stood at 4-3)

Watching spectators and players alike darted back to the 17th where the all-important decider was unfolding between Jack Irwin (above left) and Steve Davies (right). The two had been involved in a ding dong match which Irwin had levelled for St Enodoc on the 13th. A lost ball on the 14th cost Irwin though before he bounced back with a good two putt win on the 15th. The pair halved the 16th. Both found the fairway on 17. Davies was up first and put his approach some 15 feet beyond the flag. Irwin’s shot pitched on the front third but rolled back leaving him some 35 feet away and his first putt then came up short. Davies agonisingly just missed a good putt which was conceded. With the match still in the balance Irwin had to hole and when he unfortunately missed the win belonged to Trevose. Davies and Irwin played the last hole out and the former made a good birdie 3 to finish even further on a high.

CGU President Mike Ellis (himself a Trevose member) was granted permission to be mildly biased at the presentation where he congratulated both teams and thanked Perranporth GC, its members and staff for their hospitality and service, making the day a special one for all concerned. Trevose GC Captain Nick Matthews was a proud man accepting the CTC Shield, saying how this win had provided a special memory as he comes towards the end of his captaincy of the club. St Enodoc Captain Bob Cruse thanked the CGU for their stewardship of the CGU winter knockout season and paid tribute to his team adding that they are on the up and would again be challenging for the honours next season.

CTC Final Matchsheet