Berks Bucks & Oxon Golf
Our U14 team had the best possible start to the season winning both matches comfortably. The venue was Stockwood Park in Luton which is where Bedfordshire hold the majority of their coaching sessions since there is a very good 9 hole par 3 course as well as an 18 hole mostly parkland municipal track. Heavy overnight rain had little effect on the course but all but a few bunkers were full of water and declared GUR for the afternoon singles.
Once again, Middlesex were short a player in the morning Not that a full team would have made much difference as we beat Middlesex 5-0 (with the walkover) and Bedfordshire 5-0. The morning whitewash naturally made the afternoon much easier and while the boys felt they could repeat the performance I knew it would not be that simple.
In the end we beat Bedfordshire 5½ - 4½ and Middlesex 7-3.
Highlights of the afternoon singles were the half gained by Nick Elmey against Ryan Smith (both players close to level gross), and Steve Stanhope, Guilhem Loisel McFadden, Aiden Osobase and Mitchell Green's emphatic despatch of both opponents. The progress made by Steven Stanhope, Nick Elmey and Guilhem Loisel McFadden is very encouraging and all three will have a good season wherever they play. Aiden Osobase is a real find and will become a very good player as the year develops.
Every Boy (and Parent) were a credit to the county and captain Steven Stanhope gave a good speech at the end.
The Team at Stockwell Park