An easy journey to Braintree this morning, on a Friday as well. Slightly lower temperature of around 23c and a nice breeze were a blessed relief from the recent heatwave.


Match 1 - Graham Cork (Capt.) & Mark Clark - All Square
A closely fought match. Our esteemed duo were 2 down after 3 holes against solid opposition. Undaunted, they were All Square at the turn, even birdies on the 10th couldn’t separate them. 1 down by the 18th though, our Captain held his nerve to sink a pressure putt on the last green.

Match 2 - Roger Davies & John Jardine - Lost 5&4
Against the Wee Davie, playing like a God at times, or a spawny bar steward, whichever Davy you would like to believe. When he became less devine, his partner John stepped up, with Roger or JJ seemingly unable to find an answer.

Match 3 - Phil Boyland & Mick Henry (Reporter) - Lost 5&3
Phil turned it on with spectacular birdies on the 17th & 18th, unfortunately we had already lost the match by then! It was a tight match with steady golf keeping us in it and it was still All Square at the 8th tee. However, by the 12th, we were 5 down, the wheels had completely come off! After a brief rally, it was all over on the 15th green.

Match 4 - Peter Jay & Kevin Walsh - Lost 4&3
This was a very tough match with one of the Braintree team Level Par after 10 holes. Peter and Kevin were 5 down at this point and found this hard to compete against, although clawing back to 4 down by the end.

Match 5 - Kevin Price & Del McWilliams - Won 1 Up
Winning the first hole might have been a bad omen for some, but it was a match which became nip and tuck. 1 down by the 17th tee, winning the last 2 holes was decisive with Del playing superbly and Kevin the support act.

Match 6 - Andy Higginson & Charlie Hunter - Won 3&2
This match was played to a high standard and below handicaps, with birdies needed to win holes. 2 down after the first 2 holes, successful long putts to halve the 3rd and 4th enabled Andy and Charlie to hang on. It was then All Square by 13th. Winning the 14th, 15th and 16th secured the win. A wonderful first IC outing for Charlie.

Match 7 - John Williams & Rob Swan - Won 7&5 !!!
An outstanding and enjoyable game with both John and Rob playing well and a gross score of 1 under par, including a double bogey. Unsurprisingly, the Braintree team found this level difficult to play against on the day.

Match 8 - Tony Reeves & Trevor Waterhouse - Won 3&1
Trevor was the star turn today. He scored a par on each of the first 3 holes to go 3 up. The Braintree team managed to fight back their way back to only 1 behind, only to spark another purple patch by Trevor and secure an excellent win.


It was a great day’s golf with excellent carpet like greens which were not too fast, even considered to be slow by Braintree standards. The approaches to the greens were nicely watered and green. Loved the tee boxes, with nicely presented signage, bins and ball washers on every tee. It was an enjoyable match all round, played in good company and in good spirit. Bacon rolls on arrival and a very tasty and nicely presented carvery for lunch were excellent. A golf course to be proud of, which the members obviously are.

Many thanks to Mick Henry for taking on the responsibility of reporting on todays match @ Braintree.

Team ……….

     1st     Graham Cork (Captain) & Mark Clark

     2nd     Roger Davies & John Jardine

    3rd     Phil Boyland & Mick Henry (Reporter)

     4th     Peter Jay & Kevin Walsh

     5th     Kevin Price & Del McWilliams

     6th     Charlie Hunter & Andy Higginson

     7th     John Williams & Rob Swan

     8th     Tony Reeves & Trevor Waterhouse