Cornwall Golf Union
Seaside Win for Duchy Over Somerset
Newquay Golf Club (above) welcomed the latest instalment of the Channel League between home county Cornwall and visitors Somerset, who currently sit alongside Gloucester at the top of the table. Given that Somerset have already qualified for the England County Finals in September, their Captain James Ward was able to travel with a full strength team, as his players were all bidding to impress and secure a berth at Huddersfield Golf Club.Cornwall though came out on top in a spirited performance as they showed pride,desire and fight which belied the fact the team had lost its three previous matches this year.
With the golf course presented in great condition, coupled with a bright outlook for the day on the weather front, the teams took to the course for the five morning foursomes matches, and by lunch-time the Cornwall players had given County Captain Ian Veale reason to be upbeat as they forged a narrow 3 - 2 advantage, the three wins all coming on the 15th hole.
Following lunch the opening singles match would see Tom Fox play the in-form Phil White, and a relentless performance from the latter would see the score-line level at three apiece. Newquay member and county regular Aaron Stephens would restore a one-point advantage for Cornwall with a win over Taylor Stote, before Joe Reynard doubled the advantage winning against Will Poole, once again on the 15th hole (5-3).
A fierce battle was taking place between Steve Davies (Trevose) and Craig Adams (Farrington Park), and it was to be Adams that jumped on a three-putt from Davies on the 15th by holing a birdie putt of 40 feet on 16 to take a two-hole lead that he wouldn't relinquish, shaking hands on the 17th green (5-4).
Veale was delighted to welcome George Champion (Truro) back into county action, and he showed his credentials in beating Somerset County Champion, Johnny Grace on the 18th, just as the rejuvenated Josh Greenaway was holing a birdie putt on the 16th green to defeat Jeremy Larcombe. With the score-line now at 7 - 4 it would need one more point from the four games on the course for Veale & Cornwall to secure their first Channel League win of the season, and with young Cameron Gurd marching down the 18th fairway with a one-hole lead the signs were looking good.
Cue the Somerset resurgence, with Gurd's opponent Tom Burley making a birdie to halve their match. Cornwall had reached seven and a half points, a guaranteed halved match on the day but Veale was searching for a further half point............. first Richard Jasper would suffer a rare defeat, losing on the 18th (7.5 - 5.5) and when Kieran Faulkner three-putted the 17th he would concede defeat also (7.5 - 6.5)
One match remained - Sandy Kirton (Perranporth) against Somerset stalwart Justin Lane. Kirton led by one-hole playing the 17th, but when he failed to convert from 8 feet on the 17th green, Lane would steal to square their game, keeping the hopes of Somerset alive for what seemed an unlikely half just 30 minutes previous! Kirton exhibited nerves of steel, recording a regulation par on the 18th for a personal half and the all important fraction of a point that would tip the balance 8 - 7 in Cornwall's favour.
In the customary after match speeches Veale thanked his team for their commendable efforts in addition to Newquay Golf Club for their first class hospitality. Veale continued by wishing the Somerset Captain, James Ward and his team much success when they represent the South West Counties in the England County Finals next month.
The next match for Cornwall will be on September 15th at Perranporth against Devon.
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