The Elite squad played the second of this year’s fixtures against Wellington College, at East Berkshire Golf Club, on an unseasonably warm October Day. The course was in excellent condition and offered a stern test with the white tees pushed back as far as possible.

The match was played, as in March, as ten aside individual stroke play, ensuring that every match was played out to the end. This excellent format helps to keep the players honest to the very end and has the ability to see sizable shifts in only a few holes.

A couple of U16 squad members, Damien Hewitt and Robin Sullivan, made up the numbers as three Elite squad members were at Stoke Park on a scholarship trial day. Damien should be congratulated on securing a win in his match which helped towards an overall winning margin of 6-4

Chris Little, having sat exams in the morning arrived to find out that he had another test in playing Edoardo Lipparelli, a Wellington golf scholar who recently played in all four rounds of the Italian Open, and who at only 16, and off a handicap of plus 4, is one to watch for the future. Chris held his own for 14 holes and was one ahead of the Italian before Edoardo slipped into top gear birdieing 3 holes in a row from the 14th. The ball striking in this match was quite superb.

George Gardner played solidly in overcoming Inci Mehmet by a single shot in the first of two male versus female encounters. All credit to Inci who decided to play off the yellow tees when she could have played off the red tees.

Tim Shin and Michael East were involved in pivotal matches which hinged on their respective opponents both making expensive double bogeys on one of the last two holes.

John Gough and Louie Moore ran out comfortable winners without having to find their best golf. Alex Buckner showed great resilience after a shocking start to push his opponent to the last, and deserves great credit for recovering from 5 behind early on to just 3 off the pace late on in the match. A two shot defeat was a harsh result for Alex given the fight he displayed.

Robin Sullivan, having secured maximum points for the U16’s this year, finally met his match in the England U15 Girls Champion, Harriet Allesebrook. Although Robin didn’t play his best golf Harriet played beautifully and but for a poor finish would have been close to level par. She is also one to watch.

Patrick Bart had ‘ one of those days’ when, despite a solid start, everything when wrong. He will certainly have better days and few worse.

The Team at East Berkshire

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