Match Report by Brian Jones

On Wednesday 4 October, Tenby Golf Club travelled to Ashburnham in an attempt to defend ’The Putter’, which is the 127th year of the prestigious Matchplay event.

The beautiful links course was in excellent condition, and it proved a good challenge, especially on the front 8 holes which played into a strong wind.

First pair out, Mick Seal and Brian Jones were never in the match and their opponents, Tony Evans and Huw Dixon, who had 5 birdies between them, finished the match on the 14th green.

The next 2 pairs, David Evans partnered by Steve Sutcliffe and Dave Morris alongside Steve Cole, both lost their matches. Dave and Steve were very unfortunate, the match going down the 18th, where one of their opponents, Simon Griffiths, holed his 2nd shot for a winning eagle.

There was some hope when Roger Schooling and Alan Sayers won 3 and 1, Wyndham Collins and Martin Morris battled to the end but lost 2 and 1, Rob Hall and Gareth Rees halved their match.

Glenn Smith and Rob Wilcox lost 2 down and the 2 Gareth’s; Rees and Thomas never got going in a heavy defeat. The highlight of the day for Tenby was a fine win for Darren Thomas and Ross James by 5 and 4.

Ashburnham were determined to regain the putter after a long losing run, and the announcement of their 61/2 to 21/2 victory by Mick Seal brought loud cheers from the home team.