Cornwall Golf Union
Seniors Stride to Somerset Success
[County Seniors Captain Richard Jones reports]
After dispatching Dorset the previous week, Cornwall entered their second Channel League fixture of the season with confidence high. On Monday, 19th May, they welcomed Somerset to the blustery—though unusually calm—links of Perranporth Golf Club, one of the county’s toughest tests.
With English international Ian Ashenden stepping into the side for the rested Ian Veale, the Cornish squad had both experience and momentum on their side. From the outset, they looked sharp.
The morning foursomes delivered a commanding start. Ashenden, paired with the ever-reliable Steve Barns, set the tone early—seizing the lead from the opening holes and never looking back in a composed and clinical display.
The second match saw Dion Keyser and Mark Johnson fall 2 down early, but the duo dug deep to mount a determined comeback, eventually earning a gritty half-point that typified the team’s spirit.
Next up, the evergreen pairing of Andy Rowe and David Kneebone produced one of the standout performances of the morning. With unshakeable consistency and sharp short games, they secured a prolific 4&3 win.
Anchoring the session was the charismatic local hero, Simon “Doc” Knowles, partnering with Gary Stone. The pair delivered a controlled and confident 3&2 win, rounding off an excellent morning and giving Cornwall a commanding 3.5–1.5 lead heading into the afternoon singles.
With momentum firmly in their favour and the sun shining on the north coast, Cornwall looked well poised to push on and close out a second successive victory.
The afternoon singles began competitively, with tight matches across the board. At the halfway stage, only Johnson had a clear lead, turning 5 up after a dominant front nine. He would go on to secure a clinical 4&3 victory.
Rowe followed suit with another 4&3 win, underlining his steady form throughout the day. Barnes and Stone both delivered composed performances to win their matches 3&2, while Norris impressed with a 2 up victory, showcasing quality golf under pressure.
Keyser added another point to the tally with a solid 2&1 win. Meanwhile, Knowles and Kneebone fought hard in close matches, each earning a valuable half point to cap off the afternoon session.
Cornwall claimed the singles session 8–2, sealing an emphatic overall victory by 11.5–3.5. While the scoreline reflected dominance, Somerset proved to be resilient opponents and are sure to be competitive throughout the season.
Another excellent win puts Cornwall in a strong position as they prepare to meet the Auld Enemy, Devon, at Launceston in mid-June. For now, Cornwall proudly sit atop the Seniors Channel League table.
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