Four Counties Match Report – Upavon Golf Club Friday 12 June 15
This years Four Counties competition was hosted by Wiltshire Golf Captains at Upavon Golf Club on Friday 12 June 2015. This is an annual competition held between Berkshire, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. Twelve representatives from each county playing four ball better ball Stableford, off a maximum handicap of 18. Five cards to score for an overall total, calling upon the sixth card in the event of a tie.
The midweek weather forecast suggested that thunderstorms were a distinct possibility on Friday. When we arrived there was a certain amount of trepidation going out onto a hilly exposed area of Salisbury Plain! Nevertheless, following a light lunch and introductions from Bill Hartley, the WGC Captain, and myself, we ventured out onto the course starting slightly earlier at 11.45 am. There was a two tee start with Berkshire and Dorset starting from the 10th tee and Somerset and Wiltshire from the first tee.
Fortunately the thunderstorms never materialised, the weather stayed overcast and warm with light rain towards the end of the day. Following a convivial dinner, with the wine flowing, Bill Hartley stood and summarised the day’s proceedings and presented a cheque to Upavon GC for the courtesy of playing the course.
The presentations then followed with Bill Hartley and the Berkshire Captain (last years winners of the team trophy) presenting the trophies.
There were three pairs who had a score of 45 points with the “Best Pair” prize going to David Renouf and Geoffrey Croft of Dorset Golf Captains, after count back. They each received a trophy (which are handed back each year) and a bottle of wine, which are not!!
Then came the big prize of the day for the “tea caddy” trophy and a packet of tea, with each individual receiving an engraved glass. The team event had two teams on 203 points and therefore the sixth card was called on. Dorset had a 35 and Wiltshire had a 37. There was much celebrating in the Wiltshire camp with an excited Captain receiving the prize from last year’s winners. The team places were as follows;-
1st Wiltshire 203 points
2nd Dorset 203
3rd Somerset 193
4th Berkshire 185
The day ended around 7pm with the heavens opening as we walked across the car park! Overall an excellent day made even more pleasurable by Wiltshire winning the trophy for the first time.
Ian Vincent -
