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Hampshire Seven's (Thanks to Paul Wood) The first match out saw the new svelte figure of Dale Martin take on the Les Mielles talisman Shane Fitsimmons (3). Dale Martin was “quick out of the blocks” and soon took control of this match early on. Fitsimmons rallied in the back nine making several birdies, but the seven shots he conceded to the Scotsman and the steady iron play of Martin coupled with the advice from fellow countryman George Baird proved decisive with Dale Martin securing the match 2 & 1. The second match saw Peter Hopley play Matt Hague (8) the silver fox from Stockport started well and had a commanding 2 up lead heading into the back nine. However, Hopley’s age soon caught up with him and despite frantic efforts by his son Chris, who was carrying his bag, Peter ran out of steam and lost the match 4 & 2. The next match saw another debutant Mark Hutcheson make his first appearance in the Hampshire Seven’s. Mark showed no sign of nerves on the first tee and this was confirmed by his opening ‘boomed’ drive which split the fairway leaving a short iron to the green. Unfortunately, his next shot didn’t match the drive as he proceeded to ‘shank’ a pitching wedge out of bounds (we’ve all done it). The fine driving and loose approach play by Mark continued throughout the morning resulting with his opponent soon taking the lead. The vociferous Scotsman William Moir caddied for Mark, and despite Billy’s best vocal attempts to motivate the Jersey policeman, he was eventually beaten 7 & 5. With the score at Les Ormes 1, Les Mielles 2, it was time for the reliable Shaun Clark to step up to the mark. Despite being down early on in his match, Clarky refused to concede and the tenacious Jersey man turned his match round by making two fine birdies, closing out the match by 4 & 3. New member Mark Fail made his first appearance for the club in the fifth match. Despite several wayward tee shots and almost hospitalising the Les Mielles captain on the first hole, Mark calmly and steadily ground down the opposition and recorded an emphatic 6 & 5 victory to leave Les Ormes requiring a single point from the remaining two matches. In the penultimate match Paul Wood made a steady start but found himself one down after the first three holes. However, Paul made full use of the shots he received at the fourth and fifth holes to go one up after five holes and this seemed to un-nerve his opponent with Paul winning three of the next four holes to reach the turn four up. With young Andy MacDonald carrying his bag and offering ‘sound’ advice the match concluded at the fourteenth to seal victory for Les Ormes. It was left for Neil Kelly (6) in the last match to try and overcome the gritty Joe Fernandes (7) from Les Mielles. The Les Ormes stalwart played his usual consistent golf and edged in front of the opposition around the turn. Neil reached the short par three sixteenth hole 3 up with just three holes remaining and the match looked a formality. However, little Joe would not lie down and he made a good ‘up and down’ to win the sixteenth. A tremendous birdie followed at the seventeenth which took the match to the eighteenth with Kelly just 1 up. Fernandes played first and found the right bunker. The calming influence of ice man Derek Rogers seemed to settle Kelly on the tee and the resulting tee shot almost pitched in the hole and checked to ten feet. A magnificent stroke. Fernandes failed to hole the bunker shot and missed the par putt to concede the match giving Les Ormes a 5 – 2 victory. Well done boys. Many thanks to the supporters and caddies (George Baird, Mark Sumner, Chris Hopley, Billy Moir, Andy MacDonald and Derek Rogers) who gave up their time on Mothers Day to support the team. A special mention should also be given to green-keeper John Wallwork who made a specific visit to the course late on Saturday evening to re-position the pins. Many thanks to the Les Mielles team who conducted themselves in an exemplary manner as always with all matches played in the sporting fashion that the game deserves. The next round is a home tie against our friends from St.Clements (date to be arranged) and your support would be very welcome. Results Dale Martin won 2 & 1 Peter Hopley lost 4 & 2 Mark Hutcheson lost 7 & 5 Shaun Clark won 4 & 3 Mark Fail won 6 & 5 Paul Wood won 5 & 4 Neil Kelly won 2 up Les Ormes 5 – Les Mielles 2
Missing
Competitions
The rules of the club state that if you do not
inform the Secretary then you face a 2-match competition ban and you will be
charged for the cost of the slot. This rule applies to every member regardless
of their members status i.e. 7 day members
Hampshire 7s Hi Peter Now this is the funny thing, by this time it gets a bit ‘blurry’ but I remember the walk from the 18th green to the 1st tee and the excited encouragement from fellow team members and caddies is something I’ll remember for a long time. It was then that I was told the score was 3 each and it was all down to my match (gulp!!). I would like to advise anyone standing near the rear of the first tee to be careful where they tread!! Billy was garbling on about how he’d always wanted to caddie for someone called Woods (which he found hilarious!!) and he was so hyper I thought he was going to explode. Anyway, I wanted to keep the pressure on Terry and I knew it was crucial to hit a decent tee shot and keep the ball in play (i.e. not fire it down Mont Le Brune like I have a tendency to do when I get a bit excited). Fortunately, I hit a good 3 iron straight down the middle and consequently, Terry pulled his rescue wood down the 2nd fairway. He hit a good second to the back of the green leaving a downhill putt of about 20 feet. I was in between clubs and I was torn between a pitching wedge and a 9 iron. I consulted Billy and he confirmed “he didn’t have a clue but it was probably a seven iron”!!!!! I didn’t want to be through the green so I plummed for the wedge (knowing I might get an extra few yards with adrenalin) and aimed well clear of the bunkers. The contact wasn’t spot on and I came up short in ‘dingly dell’ but I wasn’t in trouble and I had an uphill putt or chip to the flag. There was no question I was going to putt instead of chipping and I concentrated on making a decent contact and trying to leave the ball close, to put the pressure back on Terry. The excitement was palpable and I stroked the ball to 6 inches of the cup which Terry gave me. Inevitably, Terry missed his putt and that was that!! We had won. I glanced at Billy who was now doing the highland fling in a greenside bunker and I shook Terry’s hand. According to Mark Sumner my putt “was the best he had ever seen” but then again you might need to confirm that with him. I hope that fills any gaps for you and I’d like to pass on my congratulations to the whole of the team, caddies and supporters who each played a vital part in our victory. Well done boys.
Hampshire 7s Oops! If you count the scores you should see that we are one score missing that of Derek (The Master) Rogers who because he won by a large margin and didn't bother playing the last few holes I overlooked. My apologies to Derek.
Winter
League
2008
Subscriptions New members may apply
2008
Committee
Charity E-Cards A friend of the secretary has just set up an electronic greeting card web site where the majority of the money charged is donated to a local Jersey charity of your choice. Check it out at http://www.sendforgood.com
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