The SbN team rolled up to the car park at Stowmarket Golf Club with great expectation, having seen the result from the previous week’s away match at Brett Vale.  Unfortunately, Stowmarket proved to be much sterner opposition and managed to win 5 matches with 2 draws and only one loss to our sterling players in Match 3 (Robin Nicholson and the undefeatable Graham Vandervord….who else!!).

Match 1 Lost 3&2 Captain Pete and Andy Cracknell

It was nip and tuck through the front 9.  Andy was managing to keep them in it, but on the back 9 Andy’s shoulders began to sag and they ended up 3 down by the 16th and it was all over. Pete did point out that it was not us losing but the driving of Jonathan “Tiger” Brown and Barry “Chip and putt” Lloyd.

Match 2 Lost 2&1 John Parkinson and Gordon Bryan

How could that amazing double act lose I hear you say.  That’s what we wondered. It was all square at the turn thanks to Gordon’s half on one hole and John winning others (birdies on 6 and 7) to overcome the opposition’s wins. The opposition then went into overdrive and by the end of the 12th were 3 up.  Gordon came back with an amazing win on the 13th (well I thought so), and John on the 14th.  However, they both 3 putted on the 15th missed the chance to go all square.  The opposition’s win on the 17th ended our hopes.

Match 3 Won 1up Graham Vandervord and Robin Nicholson

The result was never in doubt, although it was a close thing.  Graham’s back was becoming strained from carrying Robin for 17 holes, but Robin came in when it counted and won the 18th to give SbN their only win of the day.  Well done for saving your skill until the end Robin.

Match 4 Halved Mike Moore and Ian McKay

The pair were always behind until Ian managed to pull back on the par 5’s to bring it back to all square. They went behind again, but Mike managed to win the 17th to bring it back to all square again and the match ended with a hard fought draw.

Match 5 Lost 5&4 Andy Higginson and Alan White

The opponents were very strong and it went downhill for our team from the start.  The highpoint was Andy 1” short of a hole in one on the par 3 11th. Very unlucky Andy as we would have all appreciated another drink with our meal.

Match 6 Halved Barry Hitchcock and Alan Line

The other half that saved SbN from almost complete humiliation. The match saw Alan coming out of retirement as it had been months since he last played.  Barry did not say it showed (he’s too polite).  However, although Barry was solid with his putting (at least 10 6ft plus putts), he could not match Alan’s amazing 40ft putt which started 8ft wide of the hole but curled in beautifully. Sounds like they deserved the win!

Match 7 Lost 3&1 Ian Gault and Peter Garnett

Peter has renamed Ian “Trian” as he kept hitting the trees.  No-one told him you’re only supposed to hug them. Ian also managed to find lots of bunkers, but to his relief he managed at least one sandy par. At the turn they were 4 down but managed to reduce the deficit to 2, but unfortunately lost the 17th to lose 3&1.

Match 8 Lost 4&2 Colin Pottle and Tony Emms

Tim’s putting (the opposition) was exceptional, but our boys managed to hold out until the 13th (only one down, helped by an amazing chip from 45 yards from Colin to win the hole with a birdie. They fell to pieces after that and lost on the 16th.

Despite the heavy loss, our team did not feel too downhearted (well maybe Capt Pete did), as the weather was very pleasant and the course beautiful.  The opposition were very good company and played in a good spirit. That’s what the Inter Club matches are all about……unless we win!

Many thanks to Gordon Bryan for reporting on todays match.