The match between the Cheshire Seniors and Cheshire Boys was played at the delightful Knutsford Golf Club and passing aeroplanes taking off from Manchester Airport and deer in the adjacent Tatton Park were able to see some terrific golf and enjoy an excellent match spanning the ages in Cheshire Golf.
The seniors led with ex-professional Richard Stockdale and he soon got the first point on the board despite some very good golf from Shinil Balakrishnan.
Matty Griffiths got a point back for the Boys team with a convincing win over Ian Jenkinson.
Next to finish was Ellis Courtnell with a win for the Boys over Neil Andrew closely followed by Ian Quirk who brought the scores level with a win for the seniors over Cole Parkinson.
The fifth match between the Seniors Captain Martin Keates and Dan Barlow ended all square after a very tough battle all the way round.
Seniors legend Dave Nelson then put the Seniors ahead with a win over Luke Parkinson and Mobi Rawthorne moved them two ahead with a win over Lennon Smith.
But the Boys were not to be outdone as Wilfred Simcock beat Steve Brown on the 17th and then with the last match tied at all square on the 17th tee, debutant Joseph Dodd-Berry who is following in his brother’s footsteps won the 17th to go one up.
His opponent Martin French nearly tied the match as his birdie putt on 18 went over the edge of the hole without dropping.
With nearly all the players out on the course watching Joe held his nerve to sink his putt for a par and win his match leaving the final score on the day as a tie at 4.5:4.5.
A great day in glorious sunshine at one of Cheshire’s most scenic courses with some fantastic performances by some of the Boys as they held their own as a team against the might of the Cheshire Seniors.
Seniors leader Martin Keates remarked: “All the seniors were not only impressed by the high level of play from the boys but more importantly how well they conducted themselves, with good humour and conversation.”
The match left everyone in no doubt that the future of Cheshire Golf is in good hands with these Boys as they progress through their age groups.
Image above: Luke Parkinson
Copy & images: Geoff Garnett
