SURREY GOLF TEXT 2016_Surrey Golf Inside 06 03/03/2016 07:42 Page 24
did throw up a quandary - beat Kent and Hampshire would win the league, draw or lose and
Kent would win. We decided to test three of the up and coming youngsters in a team still
packed with experience. An improved back nine foursomes display sent the match into lunch
at 2 apiece. We threw the three debutants, Angus Flanagan, Cameron Bell and Harvey Byers
out as our first three. A fantastic half from Angus and a win from Cameron set up an
interesting finale. Wins from David Corben and Kieran Lovelock left it as ever down to Simon
Crockett. Unfortunately his opponent found a putter hot streak that just couldn’t be cooled
and a closing eagle from their player led to another narrow defeat, 6 ½ to 5 ½.
In early July Middlesex hosted the South East group qualifier at Hendon with the course set up
fast and hard after two weeks of thirty degree temperatures. After the morning’s six rounds
Essex led with Surrey five strokes behind. The decision not to water the course for a few nights
did little for the quality of golf or pace of play with only one player in the field breaking par.
The afternoon saw a slight improvement in our accumulative score. However it was to prove
futile as Hampshire surged through the pack with a wonderful afternoon effort winning by
eight. Surrey finished fifth.
The aforementioned second album syndrome is a well-known affliction within the music
industry and unfortunately my captaincy has been similarly blighted. However, there are
multiple examples where the bands third album has been their best. As a county we currently
have over half a dozen junior internationals. With these coming of age and the experience we
still hold I am confident we will follow this path. As ever the aim is simple; to win the league,
regional qualifier and national finals.
Friendly Matches
THE COUNTY v B.B.& O.
Surrey won 7 - 5
THE COUNTY v ROYAL WIMBLEDON
Surrey lost 5½ - 6½
THE COUNTY v WALTON HEATH
Surrey won 8 - 4
THE COUNTY v WENTWORTH
Surrey won 9½ - 5½
THE COUNTY v ST GEORGE’S HILL
Surrey won 10 - 2
THE COUNTY v WOKING
Surrey won 6 - 2
League Matches
THE COUNTY v SUSSEX
Surrey won 8½ - 3½
THE COUNTY v DORSET
Surrey lost 3½ - 8½
THE COUNTY v HAMPSHIRE
Surrey lost 5½ - 6½
THE COUNTY v KENT
Surrey lost 5½ - 6½
SENIOR TEAM REPORT FROM MICHAEL KFOURI
To start the season John Noble gave a couple of coaching sessions and this was followed by a meeting at
Hankley Common at the end of March for a fourball match within the squad and to welcome some new
faces.
The first match of the season was, as usual, the friendly against Hertfordshire played this year at South
Herts. Since this match clashed with a number of other Seniors events the Surrey team was well below
full strength and Hertfordshire won quite comfortably although several matches went to the 18th.
The first League match was against Kent at Pedham Place Golf Centre, a relatively new course which is
quite exposed to the wind. Surrey were unable to be at full strength but included two newcomers to the
side, Martin Slumbers and Mick Ribbons. In a very closely fought contest Kent finally came through with
a 6-4 win.
Our next League match was against Dorset at Woking Golf Club which was in magnificent condition.
Once again we had players absent, particularly since this match clashed with the Scottish Seniors.
Nevertheless, everyone played well and Surrey were 7½ - 2½ winners.
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