Perranporth Win Dramatic Wills Salver Final 2019

Perranporth claimed the 2019 Frank Wills Salver for the third time yesterday as they triumphed 3-2 over Carlyon Bay in a thrilling 36 hole final at Trevose.

The entire proceedings were worthy of a final from the outset with dry sunny conditions. Whilst cool at the early morning outset the weather was perfect throughout and provided the basis for some excellent golf from both teams.

As the morning foursomes session concluded the honours were entirely even with Perranporth up in two games,  Carlyon Bay up in two also and the other game all square. The writing was already on the wall indicating a tight afternoon would follow.

In those morning foursomes Perranporth had gained advantages through their lead pairing of Mike Norfolk and Gerry Whiteley (4 up on Mark Bennellick and Martin Quantick) and Paul Matthews with Ken Mason (1 up on Kevin Martin and Jason Gay). Carlyon Bay had their own advantage as Jeff Hammett and Mark Rowe were 4 up on Gareth Evans and Martin Edwards and Wayne Crocker and Neil Husband had their noses in front by the odd hole on Ian Doocey and Paul Jenks. The other encounter between Graham Burn and Peter Naish (Perranporth) and Duncan Powell and Martin Bullock (Carlyon Bay) was all square at the halfway point.

As the afternoon unfolded the first match to finish saw Carlyon Bay take the overall lead as Hammett & Rowe despatched Evans and Edwards 10&8, the latter pair never being able to eat into their halfway deficit. Norfolk and Whiteley restored the balance with a 3&1 win over Bennellick & Quantick just before Perran took the overall lead as Matthews and Mason claimed the scalps of Martin & Gay with a 3&2 win.

Games 4 and 5 now held the key and heads turned from the mound at the back of the 14th as players, caddies and supporting spectators watched that hole, 15, 16 and 17 for clues.  Perranporth looked in a very strong position through 14 holes having the advantage in both matches, but by the time the two games completed the 16th hole it was all square in both cases. Perranporth suddenly looked nervous and Carlyon Bay had a spring in their steps. That spring was dashed somewhat in Game 4 as Carlyon Bay’s Powell and Bullock found the water short of the 17th and lost the hole.  But bounce back they did by winning the last hole and taking their match with Burn and Naish to extra holes.  In Game 5 Perranporth’s Doocey and Jenks had halved the 17th with Crocker and Husband but the latter pair claimed the 18th and the match by the one hole.

Spectators now rushed to the 1st at Trevose to watch play on the 37th hole of the day for Burn and Naish against Powell and Bullock. Nervous tee shots followed. Bullock found sand and Naish left Burn with a blind shot from the light rough on the right. Burn played first and his excellent shot clung to the back left of the 1st green. From the sand Powell found light rough to the left of the first some 30 yards short of the green. Bullock played a good shot which looked initially like it would hold the green but the ball ran agonisingly slowly off the back right edge into the hollow beyond. Powell knew he had to hole his next shot and although he chipped well the ball finished a short distance from the hole. Perranporth now knew two putts would secure the win. Naish cosied his putt up inside that of Carlyon Bay who holed out for a 5 before Burn delivered the extra hole par to give Perranporth overall victory.

CGU President Mike Ellis welcomed the assembled clubhouse to Trevose in the week which had seen the sad passing of Peter Gammon, a great supporter of golf in Cornwall.  He congratulated both teams on what had been an exceptional final. Speaking on behalf of Carlyon Bay, Club Captain James Brett congratulated Perranporth on their win but also praised and thanked his team for their efforts across the winter in this competition, where they had consistently been forced to give shots to their various opponents.

Speaking for Perranporth, outgoing Captain Peter Naish was clearly delighted. He thanked Trevose for hosting the final and requested condolences be passed to the entire Gammon family in respect of their recent sad loss. He thanked the Cornwall Golf Union for their staging and management of the winter knockout competitions and complimented Carlyon Bay for the very sporting manner in which the match had been played. He concluded by paying tribute to his team.

CGU President Mike Ellis then presented the prizes.

Frank Wills Salver Final 2019 Matchsheet through 18 holes

Frank Wills Salver Final 2019 Final Result Matchsheet

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