On the 30th June, the Sussex Colts overcame tough competition to claim victory in a thrilling triangular match.
This was the first time that the Colts had played in a triangular format, however all players were well accustomed to the format as it is common in junior golf.
The three managers had all agreed the scoring on Saturday, even the Count back, if it happened. But the efficient Sussex County Golf Union secretary was a step ahead, having studied the rules, and had it all in writing and on the website already.
So the format was 3 matches as follows:
Kent v Hants
Sussex v Kent
Sussex v Hants
In the event of a draw between counties, the points against the third county would count.
So after this was sorted out, the Foursomes commenced!
The sun was out, the course at Ham Manor Golf Club looked stunning, and the players all looked the part, especially the Sussex Colts in their YourGolfTravel.com kit.
Sussex were led by local boy Josh Glossop with unbeaten Matt Greenfield, birdies on the second and third holes gave the home side an early lead, but Hampshire fought back well, and were very competitive to win on the 17th, but Sussex did well to beat Kent.
The second match was also an all junior team, with another local lad Charlie Strickland with Jack Floydd, this pair were formidable, and won both matches, against England A player Jerome Titlow and Josh Bristow, and Hampshire Champion Jordan Ainsley, and past boys champion Ben Walls! Two scalps for the Sussex youngsters!
However this match was not without controversy – Charlie managed to split his trousers! A speedy phone call home was needed to get another pair for the afternoon singles matches. (There’s a joke in here somewhere!)
The third pairing for the Colts was the university team, with James at Lancaster University and Tim at Bournemouth University. They had a very up and down game, but managed to win both matches on the last hole, this was to be the theme of the singles as well.
James Lelliott and Michael Bullen were last out – first tee shot Out of bounds!
Mike steps up booms a drive down, James hits to 16ft; Mike holes the putt, great half on the first to both in 5!! Close match with a win against Kent, but Hampshire just pipped them.
So the scores on the doors at the halfway point were:
Sussex 4 – Kent 0
Hampshire 3.5 –Kent 0.5
Sussex 2- Hants 2
It was all to play for in the afternoon!
First out was Jack Floydd who quickly opened up a big lead on Brandon of Hampshire, but an Impressive Jordan Hicks was not so easily shaken, the match finishing a win against Hampshire 5 & 4 but Kent just pipped him on the 18th.
Jack’s dad Steven was only going to watch the first 9 holes, but ended up staying all day, the excitement was building!
Marco was having a well earned rest, after performing very well in Ireland, only losing in a play off.
Matt Greenfield was next up and played well, but the pedigree of Jerome Titlow and Ben wall were just a little too much!
Charlie and Tim were next and they too found Hampshire too strong, with Jordan Ainley getting revenge for the Foursomes against Charlie, but Charlie doing enough to beat Luke of Kent, and being able to finish with all his clothing intact this time!
Tim struggled after a good start, to lose both, but it was great to have him back playing for Sussex, and his class will certainly come through when he starts playing more!
So after 4 matches it was not looking particularly good:
3- 1 down to Hampshire, as it is Wimbledon, very much advantage Hampshire.
Next came James Ashman, James has played for Sussex since he was 9 years old, so it was great to see him in a Sussex Shirt again, he was always one of those players who would be well up and then when you saw him again, he was either all square all behind.
Nothing changes, and after being comfortable being 1 up with 2 to play against Hants, he then lost the 17th, but he had already beaten Kent.
The tale of the last hole begins…
So all square with Hants going down 18, The Captain now had to break into a trot, as this match was crucial.
A hooked drive saw his ball in the trees left, to James this was not a problem, and a low drawing 5 iron found the green 20 ft. from the hole.
Sam hit his second a little short, so was first to putt.
Sam’s putt was on line but finished 12 ft. short! Advantage Sussex!
James stepped up, 3 looks and then set the ball towards the hole, great line but a tad too firm, and 5 feet by…
Sam putted and missed, the gallery held its breath!
James was fully focused the putt was on its way, he had a little jump, but thankfully found the bottom of the hole, it was deuce again.
Mike Bullen was fully in control and in his laid back way, just mentioned in passing that he had won both.
So Hampshire 3 – Sussex 3
GAME ON!!
James Lelliott had not started well, but was getting better as the day went on.
On the 18th tee he was all square with Hants, and 1 up against Kent.
Charlie Manning, who is left handed pushes his tee shot just short of the practice bay, he could only chip out sideways, James then pulls his second left of the green, Charlie then finds the Bunker with his third, could this be the turning point…
Advantage Sussex!
James hits a good chip, to 6ft, Charlie plays a good bunker shot, but runs through the green, a chip from Charlie is short, James has 2 putts to win, Sussex 4 points Hampshire 3, and they cannot lose!
Last man out is local favourite Josh Glossop, he also all square standing on the 18th tee.
Josh hits a poor drive, and can only chip it out short of the green, Jamie good drive, but his approach goes left of the green.
The gallery is 3 deep around the green, the atmosphere is electric, Josh steps up, and then steps back, he settles and fizzes a chip low up towards the pin, bang on line, it check and finishes 6ft behind the hole, very much advantage Sussex, with 3 match points.
Jamie chips up but still his turn, he misses, so Josh has 2 putts to half, and the match, but steps up and hole the putt, to seal a famous Sussex win!
Final Scores:
Sussex 4 points
Hants 2 points
Kent 0 points
Matches:
Sussex beat Kent 9-3
Hants beat Kent 8-4
Sussex beat Hants 7-5
So a great win for Sussex, they now have to beat the North region winners at Clacton on the 13th October.
