Northcote Trophy returns to Alumni golfers

Unlike all previous matches, the weather was not shirt-sleeves and sun-protection spray but the opposite – multi-layers of clothing and cold-sore cream. While much of the country was suffering from snow and gale force winds the South-west had a deluge of rain to contend with on the Friday followed by a rapid drop in temperature and a chilly easterly breeze for Saturday and Sunday.

Up against a strong University side, flushed with getting to the final of the British Universities Golf Championship, the alumni were helped by a course restricted to 10 holes. Captain Rod Alexander successfully negotiated full handicap allowance which enabled alumni with higher handicaps the chance to quickly establish supremacy, particularly in Saturday’s four-balls.

In the first match John Gilbert (17) started with 3 pars and a birdie in the first 5 holes that set the foundations for a 4 & 3 win with Jon Mitchell (1). In the three other 4-balls Rod Alexander (14), Roger Peek (11) and Mark Taylor (16) all benefited in a similar way with all citing excellent putting as a key reason for victory.

Saturday’s dinner with the students was a cheery affair for the alumni, up 4-0 and needing just 2 ½ points to regain the trophy. With a number of students off to play in Scarborough the next day, Sunday’s student team was much changed. In came University 1st team captain Laurie Potter (+2) to inspire his team, although not from the front as alumni captain Rod Alexander had expected, but at the rear.

Such a move almost paid off. The students recovered strongly building up a 4-2 lead with the result, as in the past 2 years, dependent on the final two pairings. Fortunately alumni Mark Taylor closed out his match on the ninth hole winning 2 &1 and thereby sealing alumni victory by 7 matches to 5, with Laurie Potter winning his match with Jon Mitchell by 2 holes.

Earlier alumni captain Rod Alexander had won his match 3 & 2 against Joe Scibilia (4) and Roger Peek completed a very successful weekend with a 4 & 2 win against Katie Bradbury (scratch) to set the team on the path to getting the 2 1 /2 points needed to win.

Following a group photograph and convivial lunch, University Golf Director Craig Townsend thanked the alumni for all their support during the past 7 years, a theme echoed by Laurie Potter in handing the trophy back to Rod Alexander. Next year Rod’s excellent negotiating skills over match format may be challenged as the students seek to regain the trophy.

The event would not have happened without the work put in by Craig Townsend in helping to ensure the match went ahead and to the staff at Dawlish Warren GC for looking after so well despite the trying weather conditions. Our thanks go out to both Craig and the Dawlish Warren Golf Club.

We look forward to defending the Northcote Trophy in 2014.