Wiltshire Golf Captains v. Dorset Golf Captains

Wednesday 26 April 2017

held at Hamptworth Golf and Country Club

This excellent report and pictures where provided by John Jacobs Match Secretary

This was Wiltshire Captains’ first game of the 2017 season and was held in the ‘deep south’ of the County on the challenging course at Hamptworth Golf and Country Club on the edge of the New Forest National Park. Despite the travelling distance, it was good to see three representatives coming from the most northerly club at Wrag Barn. The rest of the team was made up by four players coming from North Wilts, two from Erlestoke, two from Cumberwell Park, one each from Salisbury & SW and Tidworth Garrison and three from the home club.

For this stage in the golfing calendar, Hamptworth showed itself off to be in excellent condition and provided a good test for the Wiltshire and Dorset players. The bluebells provided an excellent sight especially on the 4th and 12th. David Ruffett, in his first outing as Captain congratulated the Club on its course presentation and the food provided at ‘breakfast’ and the post-match two course carvery. David Baker, captaining the Dorset side was equally impressed with the course and food and again thanked Hamptworth for their support and arrangements for the organisation of the day. Despite the late revised start time all seemed to cope with the earlier start with all of the Dorset players arriving well ahead of some of the Wiltshire players. They provided players from as far as Weymouth and locally from Dudsbury, Canford School and Knighton Heath.

The weather was very kind despite the forecast of wintery showers after lunch. The cold north wind was slightly tempered by the warm sunshine and only once did the players experience a very short fall of sleet. The best result was provided by our last pairing despite Phil having driven down from Kent to play starting his journey at 0830. However, with just one heavy defeat and one halved match, the remaining six teams all secured a win. This gave David his first win of his captaincy by 6 ½ to 1 ½ .