WGC v Hampshire at High Post on 28th June 2017

The previous day had been a pretty wet one (much needed after the long hot spell) and the day of the match was not forecast to be wonderful either.

So, as we arrived at High Post for the match against Hampshire Captains on Wednesday 28th June, with drizzle falling all the while, our optimism for a dry afternoon's golf  was not too great.

But first we had time for a lovely ploughman’s lunch and the announcement of the teams before we headed to the first tee for the traditional one o'clock start.

And, lo and behold, the rain stopped and the clouds mostly departed. Perhaps luck was with us after all as WGC Captain David and High Post Club Captain, Ted, set off down to do battle with Hampshire Captain, Brian, and David.

The course was excellently turned out with very true greens – but the rough was wet and troublesome for those who strayed too far off the straight and narrow.

Balls were lost, birdies made, eagle putts missed and bogeys too many to mention. But that is the joy of golf – you never know which one is coming next.

As ever, matches were tightly fought in good competitive spirit and the matches ebbed back and forth.

Our lead match led  by example and turned in a healthy victory – but that was not to last too long, as Hampshire soon reversed Wiltshire's initial visions of a triumph by sealing wins in the next three matches.

Captain David was seen rewriting his speech (again!)! Oh ye of little faith, David, as the pendulum swung again with victory for Wiltshire in matches five, six and seven to take a 4 -3 lead with the last match still out on the course.

Yet another rewrite.  

Alas, alas, - being the prefect hosts, our last match succumbed to our visitors and the score overall was tied.

Rewrites again – this time for both David and Brian – as honour on both sides was maintained.

A fulsome dinner with tender lamb shanks followed, washed down with copious amounts of amber and red liquids.

And, despite all the rewrites, both Captains did not bother with the usual 'ifs' and 'buts', but reminded us all of the importance of these matches and the camaraderie they entail. And long may they last.

So, it is off to Hampshire next year – venue as yet unknown – to go one step better and win the trophy.

My personal thanks to all who played and gave me an easy job as Match Secretary.

Jim Murdoch