Brandhall Gold Vase Won By Halesowen Gc After Manual Countback

Brandhall Gold Vase won by Halesowen GC after manual Countback.

Blackwell Golf Club hosted this years Brandhall Gold Vase on Friday 9th July.

24 clubs entered a team of 5 players to compete for the Brandhall Gold Vase at Blackwell GC. The format is individual medal with best 4 scores out of 5 to count, with count back on the 4 counting scores if required - more on this later!

The Blackwell course was in its usual immaculate condition, with the greens running fast and true. It provided a good test for the players who all commented on the quality of the course.

Because of the nature of the scoring system, with each club team being allowed to drop one score, it is notoriously difficult to pick a winner as the early scores are posted. However, it was clear that Rose Hill, Hollywood, Bransford, Ombersley, Bromsgrove, Kings Norton and Redditch were in contention with all of their players posting competitive scores.

After 4 scores Redditch GC were in a clear lead on Level Par, with scores of -4, Level, +2, +2 already in. It seemed that it would take something special for them to be overtaken. However, when Phil Priest (Halesowen) posted a 5th team score of Level Par, which meant that the team could drop a +17, this meant that Halesowen now also had a best 4 team score of Level Par, with scores of -4, Level, Level, +4.

All eyes were then on the 5th player from Redditch, Dan O'Neill, who was playing 3 groups behind Phil and need to shoot +1 or less (71) to wrestle the Championship back to Redditch. Whilst he shot a very commendable 75, this didn't affect the overall result which was a tie on Level Par. Unfortunately this is where it got a little complicated, because the Intelligent Golf system being used by the County to run the event, decided to take the tie breaking count back based on all 5 cards, rather than just the 4 counting cards, as per the rules of the event.

The County completed a manual count back, based on the nett scores of the 4 counting cards, and for the back 9 Halesowen were the clear winners by some 7 shots.

To date (some 10 days after the event) IG have not been able to re-write their software to correct the on-line results, which still show Redditch in 1st place and Halesowen as 2nd. The County apologise for this confusion, especially to the Redditch Team, but our hands are tied by the computer software!

You can click here to see the full team results, including the incorrect 1st and 2nd place teams!!

To add to the drama of the day there was also a count back for the best individual nett score, for the EGU Salver. There were three fantastic individual scores of nett 66, from Stuart Green (The Worcestershire), Clive Gallimore (Redditch) & James Stenhouse (Halesowen) with James taking the title on count back (again).

Click here for the individual scores.

The County would like to thank the support team, without whom the event could not have been run: Starters Rex Harrison (2 stints), Brian Morris, Ian Rone; Referees, Tony Edwards, Di Wylde, John Brothwood & John Whitehead: Administration Team of Debbie Pritchard & Brian Morris.

The County would also like to thank Blackwell GC for hosting this large, but prestigious event.