Alumni and students golf match ends in tie again

This year’s match went to the final green when student Tom Thornhill birdied the hole to win his match against John Gilbert and gain the point needed to ensure the students retained the trophy.

Alumni team captain Rod Alexander was heartened by the alumni performance against a very strong students side despite suffering with partner Chris Hayter from a birdie blitz by the 'Jersey Boys' of Chris Young and Nick Wildman in Saturday’s four-balls, having been at one stage looking well placed to win.

With only newcomer Jon Whitely, partnered by regular alumni team member and ace putter Roger Peek securing a point in Saturday’s fourballs, Captain Alexander had to motivate and deploy his team to maximum effect for the Sunday singles, in which historically the students tended to perform better.

Perhaps a convivial evening out with a number of the students may have helped to ‘soften up’ the opposition, and give a boost to alumni confidence and bonding. Captain Alexander’s team selection proved shrewd as the points began to tot up for the alumni team. Wins by alumni Mark Taylor and John Mitchell in the opening two singles started the alumni fightback followed by victories for Roger Peek, Captain Alexander and Jon Whiteley.

With both teams watching the final group from the clubhouse balcony, a magnificent shot into the green by Tom Thornhill, already 1 up, close to the pin, ensured the match would be all-square.

No holes-in-one to report in 2012 following alumni Ian Murray’s ace a year ago, although alumni Craig Townsend was pretty close on the 3rd hole on Saturday. There were many descriptions of putts in the clubhouse – a few longer ones that went in - but more about putts that just missed on the excellently prepared, but tricky-to-read, Dawlish Warren greens. As always the length of drives by many of the students was awesome, with bogey golf and a few pars the competitive challenge for most alumni.

While disappointed to return without the Northcote Trophy, Captain Alexander remains as competitive as ever citing the Alumni as still ahead in points won over the 4 years of the trophy.

With the prospect of a number of students returning as alumni in the coming years the outlook for the annual alumni v students golf match looks to be firmly assured. Next year it would be even more exciting if we could field a team of 12 to increase the competitiveness and conviviality of the occasion.

Our thanks go to Nick Beasant, Craig Townsend and the Dawlish Warren Golf Club for their efforts in helping to make the weekend such an enjoyable break – and one that always seems to show Devon off at its best. Roll on Spring 2013 for another effort to regain the Northcote Trophy!

Results:

Saturday - 4 Balls

(Alumni names first)
Craig Townsend (1) & John Gilbert (17) lost 1 down to Laurie Potter (+1) and Danny Vallis (scratch)
Rod Alexander (14) & Chris Hayter (scratch) lost 2 &1 to Chris Young (scratch) & Nick Wildman (scratch)
Roger Peek (11) & Jon Whiteley (10) beat 1 up James Wallace (2) & Ben Leigh (2)
Phillip Kimberley (15) & Mark Taylor (16) lost 6 & 5 to Jack Irwin (1) & Nick Hector (4)
Saturday score: Alumni 1 Students 3

Sunday - singles

John Mitchell (1) beat 2 & 1 Danny Vallis
Mark Taylor beat 2 &1 Nick Wildman
Chris Haytor lost 4 & 3 to Dan Scott (3)
Roger Peek beat 1 up Tom Watkins (3)
Rod Alexander beat 7 & 5 Alice Barnes (4)
Phillip Kimberley lost 6 & 5 to Nick Hector
Jon Whiteley beat 2 & 1 Ben Leigh
John Gilbert lost 2 down to Tom Thornhill (scratch)
Sunday score: Alumni 5 Students 3

Overall score: Alumni 6 Students 6 (Students retain Northcote Trophy as holders)