SWCGA Championship Week Round Up

[County Captain Peter Simmons reports]

The team selected to represent Cornwall at this year’s South West Championships was announced at Mullion GC following the final of the Amateur Championship in May.  The team selected were.

Matt Richards (West Cornwall), Tom Stephens (Trevose), Rob Macgregor (Tehidy Park), Jared Mortimore (Truro), Kieran Faulkner (Looe), Jamie Greet (Mullion),  Louis Archer (St Enodoc), Sam Crocker (Carlyon Bay), George Law (Perranporth), Ethan Tempest (West Cornwall), Adam Bridgewater (Vice Captain, Launceston)

The venue for this year’s event was East Devon GC which was presented superbly with fast greens and well manicured fairways and approaches.  The scene was set for a great week.

Team spirit was excellent all week and, in my opinion, it was as good as it’s been for some time.   It is always important to get off to a good start in the match play stages of South West Week and the first game looked like Cornwall would do just that….

Matchplay Shield Rd 1 Day 1. Cornwall v Wiltshire Full Scores

Playing a strong Wiltshire team Cornwall were fast out of the blocks and at lunch following the singles were 6-2 ahead.  The foursomes carry 1.5 points for a win, and we needed just one win to secure victory on the first day but sadly this did not materialise and a halved match from Tom Stephens & Matt Richards was the only points we managed in the afternoon and would eventually lose 6.75 – 7.25.  Not the result we wanted and only a couple of putts here and there were the difference between winning and losing.

Matchplay Shield Rd 2 Day 2 Cornwall v Devon Full Scores

Cornwall played Devon on their home soil.  This was always going to be a close game and that proved to be the case after the morning singles ended at 4 points each.  In the afternoon foursomes Cornwall lost three of the four foursomes matches to lose the match 5.5 – 8.5.  Despite the loss the Cornwall team were playing well but it was evident that putting was costing us some games and on occasions a few bad decisions, but conditions were difficult all week with strong winds and fast greens.

Day 3. English County Men's Qualifier Individual Results     Team Qualifier Results

The six-man team selected for the EG qualifier were eager to prove themselves and consisted of: Matt Richards, Rob Macgregor, George Law, Kieran Faulkner, Tom Stephens & Louis Archer.

George Law was making his SWW debut and was proving to be a very competent at this level and proved that with a superb first round 71 (+1). Matt Richards was not at his best, but he would still return a 73 which was matched by Kieran Faulkner.  Tom Stephens then backed up the team score with a 2 over par 72 with Louis Archer adding a 77.  Last man on the course was Rob Macgregor who posted a brilliant 2 under 68 and was leading the field at lunch.  Cornwall’s combined morning total of 434 gave Cornwall an 8 shot lead over firm favourites Gloucestershire.  However, we know this is a long day and the Gloucestershire team were full of very capable players and so that was proved in the afternoon as they came in with five scores under 72 plus a brilliant second round of 68 by Nick Day which won him the individual South West title.  Cornwall could not quite match the morning performance despite Matt scoring another 73 and Tom a 72, Kieran played beautifully for a level par 70 whilst George lost a few shots in the afternoon to return an 80.  Louis improved on his morning score to return a 75 but unfortunately Rob could not maintain the form he showed earlier in the day and shot 78.  Cornwall would end up in second place just 8 shots behind Gloucestershire.  A very creditable performance and on any other day we may well have won the qualifier.  Congratulations to the Gloucestershire team who played fantastically well and proved to all the teams that they are the kings of strokeplay.

Matchplay Shield Rd 3 Day 4. Cornwall v Somerset Full Scores

A slightly deflated team prepared for the match against Somerset and despite some very tight games Cornwall were soundly beaten.  In the singles three matches went to the 18th but Somerset were in charge and led Cornwall 6.5-1.5 at lunch.  In the foursomes matches Cornwall managed to get one win with Somerset taking the remaining matches to beat us comfortably 11-3.

Matchplay Shield Rd 4 Day 5. Cornwall v Gloucestershire Full Scores

The weather on Thursday was forecast to be horrible and so it proved to be the case.  The committee decided to reduce the matches to 18 holes due to very high winds and rain forecast for the afternoon.  Cornwall were playing well and up against the newly crowned EG qualifiers Gloucestershire and with just 4 singles and 2 foursomes matches this was to be a race for the line!    As had been the case in previous matches a number went to the 18th hole and the first 3 singles for Cornwall all ended up as halved matches with the fourth match going to Glos leaving a score line of 1.5-2.5.   In the foursomes games the points were shared allowing Gloucestershire to pip Cornwall by 4 points to 3.  Another close match where Cornwall were competing well but just not getting over the winning line.

Matchplay Shield Rd 5 Day 6. Cornwall v Dorset Full Scores and Final Table

To avoid picking up the wooden spoon both Cornwall & Dorset needed a win.  The team were fired up and desperate to perform and that they did winning the singles matches by 6 points to 2.  In the afternoon foursomes Cornwall clicked well and romped to victory winning all four matches to post a winning score line of 12 points to 2. 

A good end to what had been quite a frustrating week with results just not going our way.  Several players proved they can play at this level, Sam Crocker & George Law both making excellent debuts and I’m sure learned a lot from their experience and appreciated what level is required to play SWW golf.  Kieran continued to impress with some great results and a fine performance in the strokeplay.  Matt, Rob and Tom, all gave it their all and continue to be the backbone of this team and I hope, for a few more years yet!

County Champion Jamie Greet was struggling earlier in the week to find form but came good towards the end and knows what it takes and when he is on it can beat the very best – Golf is never easy just ask Rory!

My thanks go to all the team for their play and their commitment. To the CGU for making it possible, and of course to my newly elected vice captain Adam Bridgewater who will take over next year and has been so supportive over the past few weeks.  I have no doubt that Adam will be a successful Captain during his time at the helm. I also need to thank the caddies who tirelessly assisted the players – Andy Beazley, Nick Datson, Glyn Rowett and Chris Pountney – they too walked some miles!

Cornwall’s focus now returns to the Channel League with the next match against Glamorgan being played at Trevose Golf & Country Club this coming Sunday 23rd June.

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