CornwallGolf Union
It was a very good day for both the Cornwall Boys U16 and U14 teams at Wells GC in Somerset on Monday of this week as both registered significant wins for different reasons.
The U16 Boys closed out a nail biter with a 7-5 win and the U14s registered their first win in 3 years as they overwhelmed their opponents 9-3.
For the U16s Team Manager Dave Drewett reports ......
An unfortunate late absence dictated a last minute debut for Tristan Woolcock (West Cornwall) for the Under16’s at Wells GC in their match against their Somerset counterparts.
Despite a 7am call that day he made the practice round for the allotted time where all the lads found themselves confronted by a very tricky and somewhat quirky course set in the majestic Mendip hills, just outside the beautiful city of Wells. Rock hard playing conditions, sloping fairways and the ability to shape the ball in both directions would be necessary.
Following a good night’s sleep at the obligatory local Premier Inn the first of the morning foursomes, Tommy Miller and Heath Coombes were to tee off first in a temperature that was already exceeding 25 degrees at 9am and forecast to rise significantly throughout the day. Gone was the gentle breeze they had enjoyed during their practice round. The 36 holes ahead of them would be an extreme test, both physically and mentally and keeping them hydrated would be vitally important.
In a change from their normal pairings Harry Drewett and Kai Dingle would be out second followed by Harry Richards and Jack Welch and finally James Tucknott with Tristan Woolcock.
The morning spoils would end in a tie at 2 points each. With Miller and Coombes combining to a 4/3 victory and a win by Richards and Welch 5/4. These results were negated by narrow loses of 3/1 for Drewett and Dingle and a admirable 1 hole loss for the pairing of Tucknott and debutant Woolcock.
After a quick breather and some tasty lunch the boys were off again.
Out in 4 balls for the singles matchplay and in handicap order Miller and Drewett were out first. At this point Drewett's 2 handicap opponent mentioned that Wells GC was his home club and indeed the base for all the Somerset Under16 training!
They had very tight games and some super golf was played. Tommy secured a 1up win and Harry suffered a narrow 2/1 loss. Heath secured his second win of the day 3/2 as did Harry Richards with an emphatic 7/5 win. Jack showed typical grit but eventually conceded a putt to lose 3/2 and, I might have to call him the “Postman”, Dingle delivered an outstanding 3/2 win.
With our 6 points in the bag we now couldn’t lose and half point from either of the anchor games would result in our 2nd win of the campaign.
This was getting tight and far too exciting for me! Tristan eventually lost on the 17th despite being up in his game, nether the less he should feel extremely satisfied with his performance.
Over to you James Tucknott - the last man standing! Both teams and officials following him and his opponent down the 18th with the match all square. Just half a point was needed! Could he do it? - Oh yes!
Ben Enoch Trophy League Standings
The result means Cornwall are top of the league and with just one match to go the equation is simple. A win against Dorset at St Austell GC next Wednesday 17th August will see the team crowned champions.
And here's the report from the U14 Managers Mark Wallwork and Lee Bateman on the U14s win
'Cornwall U14’s secure a blazing win in the blistering heat at Wells Golf Club'
Firstly, we would like to thank Wells Golf club for hosting our match. We were very much looked after by the club and catering staff from the time of our arrival for the practice round and on the day of our matches. We would also like to thank the Somerset team managers for a warm welcome and the team who made our boys feel at ease on the course.
As the whole country was experiencing high temperatures in the middle of a heatwave, our main priority was the safety of our boys out on the course, so there was plenty of sun-cream and a constant flow of bottled water to keep the boys hydrated.
The Foursomes' pairings were Tiernan Wallwork (Tehidy Park) with Quinn Bateman (St Enodoc), Jago Crapp with Alex Dawson (both Mullion). Henry Rutherford (St Enodoc) with Jay Dingle (The Point) and Ryan Tozer (Launceston) with Archie Haynes (St Austell). Alex Dawson was making his debut for the county team.
First off was the captain for the match, Quinn Bateman, who put his drive down to the right leaving Tiernan a low punchy shot out towards the green. The Somerset boys hit a shot straight up the middle so the front group lost the first hole. Jago’s monster iron shot off the first tee landed in prime position for Alex to get it on to the green. Henry and Ryan also hit perfect tee shots off the first to set the boys up early in their round.
The back group got caught out in the bunker on the first and it took a couple of shots to get out. Another first hole loss for Cornwall. Moving up through the groups Jay and Henry won the first and halved the second holes leaving them 1 up going on to the 3rd hole. Tiernan and Quinn pulled back the first hole loss to put themselves 1up on the 4th. Jago and Alex were holding their opponent's A/S on the 4th but unfortunately, they lost the next 3 holes ending in a 3/2 defeat on the 7th.
Tiernan and Quinn held their lead and won 2/1, whilst Henry and Jay won 3/1.It was a nail-biting finish for Archie and Ryan as they were A/S standing on the 9th tee. Ryan’s tee shot strayed out right onto the next fairway blocking the view of the green with trees, Archie recovered with a huge wedge shot over and Ryan then chipped onto the green leaving Archie to sink the putt to win their match and put Cornwall 3 -1 up at the lunch break.
After the boys had been fed and watered in the clubhouse it was onto the afternoon singles matches
Teeing of first Tiernan led the way with a fantastic iron shot putting him in prime position for the first approach shot into the green and all the boys followed suit with their tee shots meaning Cornwall were off to a great start. Catching up with the boys on the 6th Alex had a bit of first-time nerves and was 2 down, Tiernan was 1up, Archie 1up, Jay 1down with Jago A/S, Henry 1 down, Ryan 1 up. Quinn had started to take an early lead by going 3 up on the 6th.
The course layout had tight fairways and the dry weather had left the ground hard giving the advantage that most of the boys were driving 300 yards on some of the holes. The greens were in excellent condition especially considering the dry weather.
At the turn Tiernan was holding his opponent 1up, Alex was fighting hard, but his opponent's consistency was stopping a come-back, putting the pressure on and extending his opponents lead to 4. Archie’s approach shots into the greens were on point during most of the round extending his lead to 2 up and despite Jay fighting all the way he stayed at 1 down. Jago “the big hitter” was finding it hard to hold the fairways and going 2 down, Henry having a real battle, but coming back from 1 down to 1up. Quinn keeping his lead to 3up and Ryan holding his opponent to 1up.
Moving on to the 12th Tiernan was 1 up, Alex 5 down, Archie 2 up, Jay having a comeback from 1 down to 1 up, Henry holding at 1 up, Jago losing another hole and going 3 down, Quinn picking up another hole going 4 up and Ryan still holding at 1 up.
On the 16th Tiernan lost the hole to go down the 17th at A/S. Alex’s match was over, he fought a good fight but his opponent was just too strong for him on the day. Jay and Archie were both 2 up. On the 16th Jago was 2 down but Henry was going well at 2 up, whilst Quinn was dormy 3 up and Ryan 1 up.
Tiernan, Archie, Jay, Henry, Quinn and Ryan went on to deliver victories which gave Cornwall a 6 - 2 singles win and an impressive away from home overall result of 9-3.
The match ended with both teams having a light meal in the clubhouse and the two captains giving their speeches in confident style.
To conclude the boys all represented Cornwall fantastically by playing well together, showing great team spirit and encouraging each other throughout the matches. They faced harsh conditions with soaring temperatures and they definitely deserved their win. We hope there is more to come. Well Done Boys!!!
And as a very pleasing footnote the CGU received the following from the the Manager at Wells GC, Paul Deeprose, "Just a quick note to both teams, can I just say we had many complimentary comments from our members and staff on the polite, respectful manner in which both teams conducted themselves while at Wells on Sunday & Monday. Congratulations to Cornwall, I hope you both enjoyed your time with us at Wells". Those messages are always lovely to receive - well done Team Cornwall!