Berks Bucks & Oxon Golf
After qualifying back in July at Heythrop Park Golf Club, the BB&O Seniors Team headed down to Torquay Golf Club to compete in the English Senior Men's County Finals.
The eight man team was as follows:
Stewart Dalgarno (The Wychwood)
Chris Harrison (Newbury & Crookham)
John Kennedy (Frilford Heath)
Richard Lee (Goring & Streatley)
Martyn Metcalfe (Henley)
Gary Mumford (Woburn)
Mike Sanders (Beaconsfield)
George Wilson (Calcot Park)
Captain - Mark Stokes (Studley Wood)
BB&O faced Durham on the first day. The weather played an enormous role on the first day as the foursomes matches were cancelled and it was a sprint match over 6 singles. John Kennedy won his match 6&4 just before play got suspended for 2.5hrs. As play continued the momentum was in Durham's favour as they secured a 3.5 - 2.5 victory over BB&O.
Heading into day 2, BB&O needed to win against Cornwall to bring themselves back in contention. It was a very strong start as Richard Lee & Gary Mumford went out first in the foursomes and fired 7 birdies in 13 holes to win 7&5. George Wilson & Stewart Dalgarno and John Kennedy & Chris Harrison were also able to win their matches giving BB&O a 3-0 lead heading into the singles session. Cornwall came out fighting winning the first 4 singles matches, however a 3&2 win for George meant it all came down to the final match the secure a winner. Stewart's 4&2 victory meant BB&O snuck ahead of Cornwall with a 5-4 win.
All four counties sat on 2 match points with just one match to go meaning any County could be crowned national champions on the final day.
BB&O faced Lincolnshire on the final day. All three of the foursomes matches went down to the wire on the 18th hole. Richard & Gary claimed a win for BB&O however the other two matches fell in Lincolnshire's favour. BB&O trailed 2-1 heading into the singles and needed a strong afternoon to keep the hope alive. Win's for George, Gary and John brought BB&O back in contention. It was a very close finish with Richard halving his match to leave BB&O and Lincolnshire on 4.5 points each. Meanwhile in the other match, Cornwall turned over a morning deficit against Durham to win 5-4. The halved matched between BB&O and Lincolnshire meant Cornwall became the English Senior Men's County Champions.
Congratulations to Cornwall.
For more information on the final please click here.