Cornwall Golf Union
Carlyon Comeback Claims Cornwall Team Championship
The team from Carlyon Bay completed a Cornwall Team Championship win yesterday for the first time in 55 years
after coming back from a morning deficit to beat Trevose 7.5 – 5.25 on a windy and cold day at St Enodoc GC.
Trevose definitely had the upper hand at the mid-point having secured two morning foursomes wins and a halved game plus the 9th man singles encounter. With a 3.25 – 1.5 lead not many would have bet against them at that point. Carlyon Bay, however, would not lie down and took 6 of the 8 afternoon singles, three of which were decided at the 18th.
With the St Enodoc course presented in great condition the two teams faced a stern test in the windy and cold conditions and in those morning games Trevose had the advantage as Neil Rowlands & Mike Reynard beat Ben Armstrong & Mark Blaber (4&3), Nick Gammon & Matt Hart beat Sam Crocker & Josh Small (2&1), whilst Cary Clark & Guy Norris tied with Alec Nile & Max Gay. Ninth man Mark Grootz secured what looked like a significant three quarter point as he beat Chris Nile (3&2). For the Bay Louis Gough & Martin Quantick had a one hole win over Graham Webb & Steve Davies.
If anything the afternoon conditions became even harder as the wind increased but this did not deter Carlyon Bay. At the top of their singles order Louis Gough and Sam Crocker both secured 1 hole wins over Matt Hart and Graham Webb respectively. Hart had been 4 down stood on the 13th tee but Gough managed to hold off the fightback. Crocker too clung on and one highlight was a wicked up and down from the wrong side of the par 3 15th.
For Trevose Neil Rowland dominated his match with Josh Small running out a 4&3 winner, Behind them the game between Ben Armstrong and Nick Gammon saw an electric 12th hole as the former holed out his approach from over 100 yards for an eagle. Gammon faced with having to do the same almost did just that hitting his shot to within inches of the hole. This seemed to energise Armstrong who moved to a 2&1 win.
With Steve Davies beating Alec Nile 5&4 there were now three live games left on the course with Carlyon Bay having just edged ahead. Max Gay for the Bay then beat Guy Norris 2&1 leaving Martin Quantick and Cary Clark well aware their match, in which there was never much between them, was vital.
The pair came to the 18th all square and as players caddies and supporters gathered around the 18th the drama unfolded. Clark who had demonstrated an excellent short game came up shy with a long putt in 3 whilst Quantick cosied one up to some 3 feet. When Clark missed his next and Quantick holed the comeback was complete and Carlyon Bay were the 2025 CTC winners, to much delight. To add to this in the final game on the course the Bay’s Mark Blaber beat Mike Reynard (2&1).
A packed clubhouse was welcomed by St Enodoc Club Captain Caroline Hume-Kendall before CGU President Martin Edwards thanked St Enodoc for their first-class hospitality and support. For Trevose Captain Andrew Elderfield congratulated Carlyon Bay on their win and thanked his team for their efforts across the season. For Carlyon Bay Ashley Cottiss made it clear he was understandably delighted with the result and that first win in so many years. Hume-Kendall and Edwards then presented prizes to both teams before all dined together.
The Carlyon Bay win gives the club a crack at the England Golf Champion Club competition being staged at The Oaks GC, Yorks, 20th & 21st September this year.
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