Warwickshire Golf
Men's 2nd Team back to winning ways at Ladbrook
The friendlies for the 2023 season ended with a 2nd Team victory against Northamptonshire on Sunday 23 April at Ladbrook Park GC. After 3 late/morning call ups to the first team, the team selected was:
Chris Laird (The Warwickshire)
Paul Reeves (Ladbrook Park)
George Bradley (Ladbrook Park)
Bobby Campbell (Ladbrook Park)
Alex Spencer (Ladbrook Park)
Finlay Stokes (Maxstoke Park)
Rhys Wallace (Handsworth)
Richard Bush (Coventry)
Karl Mason (Stratford Oaks)
Neville Gardner (Stoneleigh Deer Park)
If I said I was nervous driving to the club waiting for a call for another player to be called to the first team that would be an understatement. With only me and my glass back available to step in I was deeply concerned. Luckily I had no reason to be and my breakfast tasted extra special knowing I wouldn't have to test my frail back.
The morning foursome went out in the following order.
Chris & Paul
George & Bobby
Finlay & Alex
Rhys & Rich
Nev & Karl
With buggies not being allowed for the day it was hard for me to keep up with the action taking place so I positioned myself on the 6th tee. As the groups went through we were up in 3 matches, all square in 1 and narrowly behind in the other. With the old boys at the rear making a lightening start being 5 up through 5, just shows even after being out driven by the opponent's irons off the tee there is no substitute for experience. Onto the 10th tee with a similar feeling down in 2 matches but well up in the other 3. The first point on the board was from Chris and Paul a solid 5&4 victory, quickly followed by Bobby and debutant George who carved out a very nice 5&3 win. 2-0 to the bears. Fighting to the death but struggling for who Alex and Finlay took their game down the last hole but were unable to get over the line and lost 1 down. A similar story for Rhys and Rich who had a difficult putt on the last to grab a half but were unable to convert resulting in another tight loss. 2-2 and the morning would go down to the experience of the team. Nev and Karl rolled back the year (how many I lost count) for a seriously impressive 5&3, against two big hitting young lads to give us the edge at lunch.
Onto the singles order.
Chris
Paul
Bobby
George
Finlay
Alex
Rhys
Rich
Karl
Nev
The weather was looking like it was going to hold up with the forecast changing hourly. After 6 holes it appeared this was going to be a close game, as one group came through with good news the next would cancel that out. In true form it was near impossible to see anything of Chris apart from the odd thumbs up from 3-4 fairways away from him but he got the first point on the door early with a solid 5&3 victory. Paul ground out a really good half point after an extremely close game. Unfortunately Bobby was to keep up his morning form falling to a 4&3 loss. The next 3 results were the ones that took the game away from Northamptonshire, George secured a perfect start to his Warwickshire county career with a 4&2 victory. Followed by good wins from Fin and Alex. Rhys battled away but was unable to turn his match around, the final and winning point came from Rich who appeared to be in complete control of his match winning 3&1. After their amazing morning exploits Karl and Nev lost a little energy (Karl having an injured ankle) and both lost to their opponents from the morning.
An 8.5./6.5 bears victory.
A couple of thanks from me. First of all a massive thanks to Ladbrook Park for their hospitality and allowing us to take over their golf course for the day. Its massively appreciated. Secondly to those who stepped in for me at such late notice. These things cannot be forecast when it comes to injury and illness, but the fact I was able to call upon 3 people really late on (Karl at 0630am on the day of the match) just shows the commitment and team spirit we have with team Warwickshire. To the team as a whole, lets carry on this support for the rest of the season, we have the quality to win the league and go the season unbeaten. That's my aim.
Chris Staite
2nd Team Captain
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