History was made at Worthing Golf Club on Monday 14th May, when Somerset Captain of Captains Andy Carter recorded a hole-in-one on the 124 yard long ninth hole! On a windy, blustery day, putting was difficult on the treacherously fast sloping greens, so Andy decided not to bother with his putter when his pitching wedge took one bounce and went straight in! In an exclusive interview, Andy recalled the shot as follows: “The wind was off the left, so I hit a firm, solid wedge. The ball hit the first cut with a bit of zip and went straight in!”. Remarkably, Andy’s first hole-in-one was during his Captains year at Stockwood Vale, and now another one during his Captain of Captains year for Somerset. The touring party enjoyed Andy’s generosity and the celebrations went on into the early hours.
There were few other successes to celebrate on the course as Somerset fell to a heavy defeat, although four of the matches did go to the 18th green.
In match one, Andy Carter and Jeff Saunders enjoyed a great game of golf on a superb golf course against Peter Ward and Allan Bell. However, on tough, fast greens, the Sussex pair got the better of them to win 2&1. The hole-in-one for Andy Carter on the ninth just wasn’t good enough!
In match 2, Roy Parmiter and Paul Middleton had a good game against Ian Potter and Richard Jays, and the match was all square after nine! But then, the Sussex pair got their noses in front as they went on the back nine, and the match, 3&2.
Chris Warcup & George Davis in match 3 were beaten by a better golfer! The greens were impossible but the views were very scenic. Well done to Neil Smith and Ian Wood for Sussex who won 3&2.
Steve Butterfield and Colin Davies enjoyed a good, but difficult, game in match four against Alan Butcher and David Wilkins. The Somerset pair were 3 down with 5 to play, but got the match back to all square, before losing 1 down ion the last. Great company but the Sussex pair beat them on the greens.
In match 5, Jim Scott & Rob Hardy fought well against Brian Street & Chris Wise. From a long way back (otherwise known as “the White Tees”), Somerset took their excellent opponents to the last green where the undulations and speed again defeated them. Despite their struggles, this was an excellent day in good company.
Murray Parsons and Rob Ford secured an honourable half for Somerset in match six against Chris Adamson and Nigel Powell. Everyone tried to outdo each other by hitting through the greens.
Another close match followed when John Chillington and Geoff Rooke took on Mark Terry and David Schwartz. All square at the turn, the Somerset pair were 3 up with 4 to play, so were disappointed to lose 1 down on the 18th. Good company and a very tight match.
In the final match, John Beer and Stuart Mann lost by 5&3 to Ian Richmond and Steve Tigg; but thoroughly enjoyed a very entertaining game. The greens were difficult, but Somerset were not helped by an 18 handicapper who had 6 pars on the front nine for the opposition.
Overall score: Sussex 7½, Somerset ½.
(If you click on a thumbnail below, you will see the original photo)