After a week’s sojourn honing his game in warmer climes, we were pleased to welcome back Captain Price to a dry, but chilly, Purdis Heath, where a hearty breakfast was enjoyed by all prior to the matches.

Match 1.​Kevin Price and Jonathan Perry

Won 4 and 3.

The captain, who by his own admission, had not been on top form in Turkey, nonetheless got the team off to a fine start, parring the first 3 holes. Jonathan then came into his own, and solid golf kept the team in front all the way.

Match 2. ​Graham Cork and Phil Hickley

​​Lost 3 and 2.

An excellent competitive match, nip and tuck throughout the first nine. Phil rescued a couple of halves early on, before Graham sank a monster putt on the 4th to bring us level. We were one up playing the 8th, but Ipswich thenstepped up, winning 9, 10 and 11, and dovetailed well thereafter so we could never quite get level and match ended when Phil’s putt missed by an agonising inch or two.

Match 3.​Iain Gault and Graham Vandevord

​​Lost 6 and 5.

Many thanks to Iain who, answering an emergency call, stepped in at the last minute.

After three-putting the first, the Stoke pair, won the 2nd to draw level for the first – and last – time. A putting lesson from the Purdis pair saw them 3 up by the turn. Following a lengthy team talk at the halfway toilets, we lost the next two holes, but both players returned to form after losing 6 and 5

Match 4.​Colin Pottle and David Seymour

​​Won 4 and 3.

David “Pinseeker” Seymour added to his string of Nearest the Pin successes with a superb shot on the 10th, securing the hole with a birdie. The Stoke pair played solidly throughout, running out comfortable winners in what was a thoroughly enjoyable round of golf.

Match 5.​Andy Cracknell and Lionel Hatch

​​Lost 1 Down

A very tight match, where, despite the best efforts of coach Hatch, the surprisingly long driving and the rolling in of two net birdies at crucial times by an 85 year old opponent, finally overcame the heroic efforts of the Stoke pair.

Match 6. ​Bob Filer and Peter Garnett

​​Lost 2 and 1

Despite receiving 8 and 11 shots respectively, Bob and Pete had a very close match against Richard and Rick – very thoughtful of Ipswich to give the boys just one name to remember. The Stoke pair started well with 3 pars but soon found themselves 2 down. However, they rallied to All Square by the turn and won the 10th, but couldn’t quite hang on and a brilliant bunker shot by Rick on the 17th sealed victory for Ipswich. An excellent and friendly match. Peter apologised for missing a couple of short putts on the back 9: no need, Peter, your correspondent has turned that into an art form!

Many thanks to Graham Cork for taking on the responsibilities of reporting on this match.

Team …….

     1st     Kevin Price (Captain) & Jonathan Perry

     2nd     Graham Cork (Reporter) & Phil Hickley

     3rd      Malcolm Norton & Graham Vandervord

     4th      Colin Pottle & David Seymour

     5th      Andy Cracknell & Lionel Hatch

     6th     Bob Filer & Peter Garnett