Warwickshire Golf
2023 Midland Boys Four Counties Tournament Report
Team
Oliver Clark (c) (LADBROOK PARK)
Sam Knowles (WISHAW)
Lennon O'Neill-Knibbs (HEARSALL)
Spencer Tanner (COVENTRY)
Louis Taylor (LADBROOK PARK)
Freddy Montgomery (MOOR HALL)
Ben Hopkins (HEARSALL)
Will Hartle (LADBROOK PARK)
MATCH 1 - STAFFORDSHIRE v WARWICKSHIRE
The annual Midland Boys Four Counties U18 competition gave Warwickshire's boys their first competitive golf of the 2023 season, at Cleobury Mortimer GC under threatening skies and with an awful weather forecast for this important 2-day competition.
In worsening weather conditions, with driving rain and 40 mph gusting wind, the event started with a difficult 5-3 reverse for Team Warwickshire. There were hard fought wins for Captain Ollie (4&3), Louis, and Will (both coming through by a 1 up margin), but the rest of our lads struggled to find the pace of competitive play in such challenging weather. We would go into Day 2 with renewed hope and expectation, but with a growing possibility that this event might not be completed due to prevailing conditions.
MATCH 2 - WORCESTERSHIRE v WARWICKSHIRE
There was to be no respite from the harsh weather, serving up even worse than on Day 1. This round saw truly some of the worst conditions I have ever witnessed on a golf course. It really was a credit to the boys from all teams that they were prepared to do battle, and a test of endurance for anyone else on the course watching! A lasting memory from this match was sheltering a player from each team behind my umbrella whilst we waited for a particularly brutal squall of cold wind and hammering sideways rain to pass over us. The match continued in only slightly less brutal weather on an increasingly unplayable course, with Team Warwickshire coming out on top 4.5 - 3.5. Captain Ollie delivered half a point, and there were impressive wins for Sam, Lennon, Freddy (all 5&4), and Spencer (1 up).
MATCH 3 - GLOUCESTERSHIRE v WARWICKSHIRE
With the course unplayable and no sign of improvement, it was agreed by all counties that in the best interest of all the players the tournament should be abandoned. All counties were duly awarded half a point for the final round of matches, leading to a final result as follows:
1. Staffordshire 4.5 pts
2. Gloucestershire 2.5 pts
3. Warwickshire 2.5 pts
4. Worcestershire 0.5 pts
Thanks go to Worcestershire for organising an extremely challenging event, and let's hope that all of the boys learned valuable lessons in resilience, which will stand them in good stead for the future.
Thanks to parents and county officials for their unwavering support, and to Cleobury Mortimer GC for hosting the event and their hospitality throughout.
Simon Taylor
Warwickshire Boys Team Manager
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