Warwickshire Golf
2012 COUNTY MATCH WEEK REPORT
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The 2012 Squad with County President, Elizabeth Earnshaw and County Captain, Bobbi Waugh (Katrina GANI is not pictured as she arrived on Tuesday evening) |
DAY 5 - Matches against BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
The last day of competition for this year and Warwickshire had Buckinghamshire as their opponents. This was quite a needle match, as if Bucks won this match, they could go into the overall lead.
Well there were some very hard fought matches in the morning, but in the end the only win came from the very strong Foursomes pairing of Claire HOWELLS and Kath ASHLEY who just managed to scrape a win on the 18th.
The afternoon Singles matches saw Melissa NICOL off first, but probably due to the constant battling over the week and the number of matches played, this afternoon her opponent got the better of her. 16 year old Katrina GANI was second out and after her two halved matches on the previous 2 days, she managed a conclusive win 5 and 3 today. A fantastic result for Katrina who was playing in her first County Week and as this year's Warwickshire County Champion, a lot was expected of her - she certainly did not let the team down.
Claire HOWELLS, again playing very steadily as we have come to expect, did the Team proud, finishing 2 up. Claire has had an excellent week and as Team Manager has led the team by example. Hannah COLES and Lisa BARTON just missed out on a win having battled to the 18th, they both finished All Square. The other match was lost, with Yen PHAM trying so hard and giving so much effort, only just lost on the 17th.
At the end of the day Buckinghamshire won the battle some 5 games to 4, and went on to win the whole event - congratulations to them.
Kath ASHLEY experienced her own award, as she was presented with her County Colours this week. This was particularly special as she had major hip surgery in the last 18th months, and it was great to see how well she had recovered.
All in all a very tired County Captain, Bobbi Waugh commented "I am really proud of my team, they battled hard throughout the week, never giving up. We had some new members in the team and I am sure this week has been a big learning curve for them. I really thought that the results did not do the team justice as I felt they played better than the scores showed."
DAY 4 - Matches against OXFORDSHIRE
Today had Warwickshire drawn against Oxfordshire and the morning Foursomes gave us hope as Warwickshire finished 2 matches to 1.
This morning Lisa BARTON was partnered by Katrina GANI and after a very close game, they eventually were beaten 4 and 3. The other two matches however were much more positive with firstly Melissa NICOL and Charlotte HARTSHORN finishing 5 and 3. Last match out this morning saw the strong pairing of Claire HOWELLS and Kath ASHLEY winning 4 and 3. A good morning's work!
First out was Melissa this afternoon who eventually lost her match 2 and 1 - I think she must have used up all that inner strengh over the past few days. Katrina was next out and once again went the whole course, managing 1/2 point as she finished All square. The only winner of the afternoon was Claire HOWELLS who had a magnificent win 7 and 5.
Unfortunately the other three matches - Hannah COLES, Kath ASHLEY and Lisa BARTON all lost games 4 and 3, 4 and 3 and 3 and 2 respectively. Lisa played a young, up and coming star golfer and played a very steady round, only to lose. Shot of the day or maybe the week however, came from Lisa on the 9th hole Par 3. Her caddy said "Lisa's tee shot just caught the overhanging branch of a tree resulting in the ball landing in a lateral water hazard ditch. Without hesitation, match All Square at this point, Lisa donned her waterproof bottoms and climbed into the ditch, standing in 3 inches of water. The shot was about 60 yards and Lisa managed to get the ball out through the overhanging branches and landed it in the heart of the green and 2 putted to make a 4". Her opponent who had landed her tee shot on to the green, then went on to three putt probably because she was stunned at Lisa's shot and they halved the hole.
RESULT: Warwickshire 3 1/2 - Oxfordshire 5 1/2
DAY 3 - Matches against BERKSHIRE
Berkshire were the opponents today, Wednesday 20th June - Foursomes pairings looked good on paper, with two new members to the team playing - 16 year old Katrina GANI and Yen PHAM.
Abbey GITTINGS and Lisa BARTON paired together for the 3rd day running, set the scene for the day with an impressive win of 7 and 5. The next 2 pairings of Claire HOWELLS and Katrina GANI and Rachel RUSTED and Yen PHAM weren't able to match the top game as both lost their matches 3 and 2.
Perhaps it was playing in the sunshine again, which by no we should have got used to, but some of the girls playing in the afternoon singles matches did not fair too well. The first two matches provided an excellent start though, with a fantastic win by Abbey GITTINGS who finished 6 and 5. She was closely followed by Claire HOWELLS who had a great win of 5 and 4. Claire commented "The putts just kept dropping this afternoon!" Katrina in her first Singles match of the week, went out 2nd and took her match to the 18th, gaining a well battled half - a really good effort.
The next three matches of Rachel RUSTED and Charlotte HARTSHORN and Melissa NICOL were lost though. Charlotte, another young player who is playing in her first County Match Week, made a spirited attempt, losing on the 16th and Rachel's opponent was just too strong on this occasion and her loss was 4 and 2. Melissa NICOL, ever the battler, was down at the turn but fought her was back and norrowly lost her match on the 18th by 1 hole.
RESULT: Warwickshire 3 1/2 - Berkshire 5 1/2
DAY 2 - Matches against HEREFORD/WORCESTERSHIRE
Day two dawned fine and sunny again and today the Warwickshire Team was pitched against Worcestershire & Herefordshire. Again there were 3 Foursomes matches for the morning session and after an unexpected and surprising loss 7 and 6 by Melissa NICOL and Hannah COLES, spirits were a little low. How things can change when the next result had Lisa BARTON & Abbey GITTINGS coming in with a win of 7 and 6. This raised the tempo of the group and they were delighted when a further win, this time 3 and 2 by Kath ASHLEY and Rachel RUSTED, was posted.
In the afternoon Singles matches Warwickshire got off to a flying start with the first 3 matches being won. Abbey GITTINGS plyaed some great steady golf, winning 3 and 2 whilst Melissa NICOL really pulled out the stops and won her match 5 and 3. Match of the day however, was No 3 with Hannah COLES matched against Worcestershire County Champion 2012, Lucy WALTON. Having gone 3 down by the 7th, Hannah sank a very long putt on the 8th and this gave her some momentum. She then turned her match round and eventually won on the 16th, 3 and 2.
The last win of the day came from Lisa BARTON, who played fantastic golf this afternoon and came in with a win of 6 and 5.Unfortunately the other 2 matches were lost but the general feeling was that of elation, as we finished the day with a Win, 6 matches to 3.
RESULT: Warwickshire 6 - Hereford/Worcestershire 3
It was great to see Alison Nicholas at Mentmore today, as she had come down to see how the teams were progressing and to give encouragement to the girls.
Just as a footnote: we would like to congratulate Abbey GITTINGS on winning the PING Player of the Year Award, presented to a University student for Division 2 in a USA University. She won the award for winning the individual National Championships and also helping to gain the Team award for Nova South Eastern University in Florida. She has just completed her 2nd year there.
DAY 1 - Matches against NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
The morning foursomes pairings set off in great spirits hoping to set the standards for the rest of the day. After tight matches for all three, we only had success in the pairing of Claire HOWELLS & Kath ASHLEY, who won 3 and 2.
The afternoon players were not daunted by their task. First off was Abbey GITTINGS who got off to a great start by winning the 1st, but then lost the next 2, followed by losses on 8 and 9. A comeback was needed and with three birdies on the back 9, Abbey managed to halve her match. Regrettably the next 4 matches featuring Lisa BARTON,Hannah COLES, Charlotte HARTSHORN (Newcomer to the team this year) and Claire HOWELLS, all were lost. All eyes were on Mellisa NICOL who was bringing up the rear. All square on the 6th, Melissa went 3 down by the 9th with a further loss on the 10th meaning that she had alot to do to turn this one around. Melissa being the determined young lady that she is, did just that having drawn level on the 17th green. With pars from both players on the 18th, this match was halved.
One very strange but funny incident happened this afternoon when Hannah teed off on the long 17th - her ball took flight and landed in the top pcoket of Charlotte HARTSHORN'S golf bag. Charlotte was a long way down the fairway when the ball jumped, however when the incident was explained to the Referee, a free drop was given!
RESULT: Warwickshire 2 - Northamptonshire 7
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