Seniors Win At The Vale
Seniors win at The Vale
Nigel Taylor checks the line and birdies the last to gain a vital half
Match Report by Bill Thompson (Seniors Captain) : Worcestershire Seniors v Leicestershire & Rutland at The Vale GC 27th May 2021
Heavy rain for several days preceded this match making it very difficult for the greens staff to cut the fairways and greens. Only on the day of the match, trolleys were allowed again and the green keepers could get out and begin their work on the course. Therefore, great credit needs to be paid to Mark Heath (Head Greenkeeper) and his team for rapidly turning the course around and although playing very long, it was in fine condition and a tough test from the white tees.
Fortunately, the weather had completely changed. It was a warm, sunny day for the match and everyone was pleased to be in shirt sleeves again. It was a pleasure to welcome Phil Askew, President of Leicestershire & Rutland as well as John Hardwick (L&R Captain) and his team to The Vale GC for this important pre-season non- league match.
The Worcestershire team took a commanding lead after the morning greensomes, winning all but one of the six matches. This could have been even more emphatic as Ian Smith and Roger Martin halved after being two up with two to play. This was a good, solid start by the team setting us up well for the afternoon.
The Leicestershire & Rutland side rallied well after lunch in the four balls. There was some great golf played with birdies galore in every match. Our top pair, Tony Hill and Duncan Macpherson, led brilliantly from the front and remained unbeaten on the day - a superb effort. Bill Thompson and Steve Green couldn't match the excellent play and six under score of Martin Donning and Graham Johnson, going down 3&2. The other matches were incredibly close. Dave Marshall and Phil Shurmer were in a real dog fight but just couldn't hole the putts. Shaun Thornhill and Jim Leydon watched in awe as Naz Kuller (L&R) hit a 195yd second shot to three feet and holed it for a birdie to win on the last. Meanwhile, Nigel Taylor, who wished to pay great credit to Mark Carpenter for his fine play during the whole match, bravely holed a 20 footer on the last for a birdie to halve their game. Finally, Ian Smith and Roger Martin, still smarting from their morning halve, put the pedal down and ran out convincing 6&5 winners, to also remain unbeaten on the day. Excellent golf from both of them all day.
This was a great team effort and Bill Thompson, Team Captain, was very impressed with everyone's attitude and commitment in his closing remarks. County ties for their senior debuts in a full match were awarded to, Jim Leydon, Nigel Taylor, Dave Marshall and Tony Hill. Congratulations to all of them.
Overall, it was a close, but important 9 1/2 to 8 1/2 win for the Worcestershire Seniors. Click here for the match scoresheet.
The senior team are now looking forward to their first league match against Derbyshire on 29th June at Bransford GC.
The hospitality, management and quality of catering, led by operations manager Ruud Hercik, was first class at The Vale GC. They made us feel very welcome and with the fine weather it was a joy to sit out on the terrace again. We look forward to visiting again in the future and wish the club every success in developing their facilities throughout the year ahead.
Players enjoying their morning coffee outside the spike bar at The Vale - 27.5.21
The winning County Senior Team at The Vale GC on Thursday 27th May 2021
LtoR : Jim Leydon (Kings Norton), Steve Green ( Rose Hill), Roger Martin (Kings Norton), Bill Thompson ( Kings Norton) Nigel Taylor (Redditch Pitcheroak), Tony Hill ( Moseley), Shaun Thornhill (Kings Norton) Duncan Macpherson (Worcs G&CC), Mark Carpenter (Worcs G&CC), Dave Marshall (The Worcestershire), Phil Shurmer (The Worcestershire), Ian Smith (Worcs G&CC)