Ryder Cup Drama: Cup shared!
There were mercifully no mashed potatoes, light the candle, or get in the hole chants at the Ryder Cup at Hinksey on Sunday.
GCSE Geography was the order of the day as the world map was hastily redrawn at the last minute by both Captains as they planned their ever changing line ups. Regardless of whether Canada is officially part of England or the ROW (and that isn't a quiz question) the beautiful thing about this event was that the spirit in which it was played was superb and all players should be commended for making this a friendly rivalry and just wanting to play golf for whichever side.
Last minute changes meant that Dermot Wheelan had to take on the England Captain Ness Cox and her partner Rob Dean on his own. He did his best but ultimately, despite having a fine bacon butty breakfast beforehand, two were stronger than one. In the other 1 versus 2 match up, with ROW Captain Jarlath Brine playing against Richard "steady and straight" Standring and Jack Magee (playing his first competition), the outcome was again in favour of the two from England: completing a thumping win with some relentless golf.
Peter Phillips, representing England via Canada, played a tight singles match against Ian Cox which Ian won 2 and 1. Good luck to Ian and the rest of the team ahead of the Hillman Trophy final next Sunday at Goring and Streatley Golf Club.
The final match out was Dan Caswell and Ellis Byles (England) against David Kear and Hippolyte Bregeaud (ROW), where Dan and Ellis pulled back a four hole deficit to take the match into an extra hole which was won by the ROW. Team mates waiting in the clubhouse hadn't realised that an extra hole was being played (and didn't dispute whether it should have been) and called David to see where they were: rumours that David was advised not to come back if they lost the hole are entirely correct.
Ness needed to get to Waitrose and Jarlath had stupidly agreed to dog sit for a neighbour, so, with the rain now falling, Captains sensibly chose to shake hands rather than head off down the first, and the trophy was shared which seemed the right result on the day.
I can only say that this event is fantastic, relaxed and fun and would encourage more members to sign up for it next year. Thanks to all that participated.
Last minute changes meant that Dermot Wheelan had to take on the England Captain Ness Cox and her partner Rob Dean on his own. He did his best but ultimately, despite having a fine bacon butty breakfast beforehand, two were stronger than one. In the other 1 versus 2 match up, with ROW Captain Jarlath Brine playing against Richard "steady and straight" Standring and Jack Magee (playing his first competition), the outcome was again in favour of the two from England: completing a thumping win with some relentless golf.
Peter Phillips, representing England via Canada, played a tight singles match against Ian Cox which Ian won 2 and 1. Good luck to Ian and the rest of the team ahead of the Hillman Trophy final next Sunday at Goring and Streatley Golf Club.
The final match out was Dan Caswell and Ellis Byles (England) against David Kear and Hippolyte Bregeaud (ROW), where Dan and Ellis pulled back a four hole deficit to take the match into an extra hole which was won by the ROW. Team mates waiting in the clubhouse hadn't realised that an extra hole was being played (and didn't dispute whether it should have been) and called David to see where they were: rumours that David was advised not to come back if they lost the hole are entirely correct.
Ness needed to get to Waitrose and Jarlath had stupidly agreed to dog sit for a neighbour, so, with the rain now falling, Captains sensibly chose to shake hands rather than head off down the first, and the trophy was shared which seemed the right result on the day.
I can only say that this event is fantastic, relaxed and fun and would encourage more members to sign up for it next year. Thanks to all that participated.