We had a really enjoyable day at Ashridge for the match against EPICS. The build up was rather stressful trying to find enough people to field a team of 12 but we managed it. Thankfully our loyal Secretary Peter dutifully turned up with a guest player on the back of a three day golf/masters trip to the Belfry. Peter Capanero also helped with a colleague from his club (Sandy Lodge) so the match went ahead. The course was in excellent condition and the greens were the fastest I’ve played on this year. Anyone for a de-green your 15 foot putt off the upturned saucer Masters style? Plenty of that on offer. We had it all with the weather……felt like a grey winter’s morning to tee off, 35mph gusting wind, then some heavy showers, followed by some lovely sunshine and then we had a rather intense hail storm (thankfully post match..see photo below).
And so to the golf….
First out was Captain Wilko and Frank ‘5 rounds a week’ Hynes. It was always going to be a strong pairing this one. We weren’t taking any prisoners. Up against two members from Knebworth, last year’s EPICS Rob (6.1) and David (15.9),who formed a formidable pairing and were excellent company. A cracking match ensued with only ever one hole in it. David flushed a long iron from 200 yards on to the third green causing Frank to raise his eyebrows in a ‘15.9?’way. Fast forward to 16, David pars the hole with a shot to level it. We head down 18 all square, David having yet another shot to play with, and it was anyone’s game…….until the Captain flushed a 54 degree wedge to 1 foot for a kick in birdie. The EPICS boys were toast. One nil the BAGS!
James Clemence and Tom Birdsell followed us in match 2 but they were taken down by Neil Meixner and his partner 3&2 with some persistent short game wizardry
All square
Then Peter Capenaro and his colleague David trounced the match 3 pair 5&4 with an emphatic victory and BAGS were back in the lead!
But the wheels came off for our Belfry broken Secretary and his partner. It was one round too many resulting in the humiliation of a ‘dog licence’ (7&6).
Back to square
So it was all down to the last two matches. Match 5 was Gavlar and Dan Evans putting in a spirited fight only to sadly get pipped 2&1
it was left to Steve Talbot and Matthew Caldecot but alas they were firmly beaten 5&3 and the trophy (yes…our trophy for a whole decade) remains in the hands of the EPICS members. Congratulations to EPICS for a strong performance. I did note there were at least three current BAGS members playing for the EPICS side. We can only ponder if the result would have been different had they played for us…..
And finally, the hospitality from the club was superb, a warm welcome, well organised, and the lamb tagine and sticking toffee pudding was outstanding. Ashridge is a real treat and one to definitely play again for the society.
Look forward to the NZ!
Captain Wilko
