Cornwall Golf Union
Season Opening Win for Seniors Against Dorset
Seated L to R: Simon Knowles, Richard Jones (Captain), Mark Blaber
Standing L to R: Mark Johnson, Andy Rowe, Ian Veale, Guy Norris, Gary Stone, David Kneebone, Steve Barns, Dion Keyser
The Cornwall Seniors team got their season off to a great start today at Bude GC
with an 11-4 win over last year's league runners up Dorset.
[Seniors Captain Richard Jones reports]
With an Amber weather warning for thunder and rain in the forecast, Cornwall hosted Dorset who narrowly missed out on winning the 2024 League to Glamorgan on goal difference. This did not phase the Cornish Crew who carry the mantle of National Champions into the 2025 season. And whilst there was a light shower the weather played ball on the Bude course which was presented in first class condition.
The morning Greensomes proved to be an area that needed improvement from the previous season and the statuesque pairing of new recruit Dion Keyser and Mark Johnson was sent out to lead the charge and get some points on the board. Going 2 down early on, good birdies on the closing holes saw them earn a winning point. The quality pairing of Ian Veale & Simon Knowles fought hard to secure a half point with Guy Norris & Mark Blaber bonding nicely to win another point 1 up.
The local man Gary Stone with Steve Barns ground out another good half whilst the final pairing of Andy Rowe & Dave Kneebone put their pair to the sword with a 3/1 win.
To lead 4-1 after the morning was an outstanding start.
Needing just 4 points to win the match the team continued on the same theme. Keyser and Johnson were sent out up front to intimidate the opposition and their height and reach advantage proved decisive as both won convincingly. Johnson had gone 5 up after 8 but had let a lead like this slip last season, but he was in no mood to let that happen again.
The rejuvenated Andy Rowe had his foot on the gas and powered to a 5&4 win along with current South West Champion Ian Veale who amassed a plethora of birdies to win 4&3. In Veale's case it was 7 birdies in his match with Dorset's John Smith.3 in the first 7 holes saw him 1 up but successive birdies at 9,10 & 11 gave him a 3 hole lead. he closed his game out at the 15th with a wedge to inches from the hole.
Guy Norris took his match to the 18th to finish 1 up whilst local lad Gary Stone used home advantage to secure a 4&2 win . The final point came from Anchor Man Dave Kneebone with a convincing 6&5 win, meaning Cornwall had taken 7 points from the 10 available in the afternoon singles.
The final result was an outstanding 11-4 win to Cornwall.
The team spirit and camaraderie is flowing through the squad and we march on to Perranporth next week (Monday 19th May) to entertain Somerset.
At the conclusion of the match both teams paid tribute to the hospitality extended to them by Bude Golf Club, highlighting the condition of the course and greens and heaping praise on Course Manager Jaime Acton
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