Warwickshire Seniors started our 2023 league campaign with a home match against Shropshire & Hereford at Edgbaston Golf Club.
The team selected to play for Warwickshire was:
Dylan Ward & Andy Sheard
Andrew Carman & Peter Gordon
Dave Mason & Dave Calvert
Rob Soen & Phil Murphy
Ken Spencer & Roger Neale
Shaun Young & Mark Reynolds
Edgbaston was looking fantastic…following the wet March/April, the warm, sunny May has encouraged the grass to grow; the fairways were green and lush and the greens were firm and quick to putt on.
The morning foursomes did not go to plan for Warwickshire going down 5.5 to 0.5.
After lunch on the patio, as reigning league champions, we started the afternoon fourball games with renewed vigour. In the top match Dylan & Andy completed a fantastic result winning 6&5. Match 3 Ken and I managed our way and completed a 4&3 win. With the tail wagging, the comeback looked on.
Moor Hall's pair of Dave's came up against a strong pairing and lost 2&1. Last year's senior captain Rob & Phil produced some fine golf especially on the back nine to win 3&1. Mr President and Shaun produced a solid performance to win 4&2.
In match 2, the experienced pair of Andrew & Peter were involved in a gritty dog fight eventually losing on the 18th 1 down.
Overall, we ended up losing the match 8.5 - 9.5.
Whilst disappointed with the result, the pride and fight team Warwickshire showed in the afternoon was really encouraging and will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season.
Congratulations to S&H for fielding a very strong side and with many new, low handicap golfers in their team, they will have a big influence on the league this year.
Having lived in Moseley for a proportion of my life, it is always a pleasure to play golf at Edgbaston. In the warm, Spring sunshine and despite being in the middle of a city, playing the holes down by the lake, in peace and tranquillity was a real treat.
The welcome the club extended to us was much appreciated, the food throughout the day was delicious. I would also like to comment on the volume of younger male and female golfers that were present at the club on Tuesday; its great to see Edgbaston encouraging this age group into golf.
Roger Neale
Our next game is against Staffordshire at Leek in a week time on 31st May.