Titans/ACGA Take Inaugural 3 Way at Heythrop
Heythrop Park Resort played host, the location was perfect, completely isolated a short hop from Chipping Norton in rural Oxfordshire. The weather was superb, a cloudless sky, temperatures pushing 26°Centigrade with just a light breeze for added interest and comfort. Set against the historic back drop of Heythrop Hall no traffic noise or any other unwelcome distractions to detracted from the experience.
Day one began with the arrival of the teams with the usual meeting greeting and banter ahead of the challenges to come. Breakfast duly consumed the preparations began with Captains confirming the proceedings and protocols and players warming up on the practice area. The composition of the teams consisted of combined pairs from Titans/ACGA Vs Pairs from CGS. Four ball better ball match play the format.
The match began with Dean Leith and Linton Bell leading off for the CGS against Martin Charles and Ernie Owusu for Titans/ACGA.
The course is less than two years old and will no doubt get better as it matures. The only real disappointment was the greens had not been cut resulting in putting surfaces that were rendered unacceptable. The course threaded its way through the landscape with nothing to distract your attention other than the usual sounds of bird song streams and the occasional aeroplane overhead and of course “Fore”, “Fore Right” “Fore Left”. The camaraderie between the teams was the usual blend of bluff and bravado blended with laughter appreciation of good play and encouragement when things went awry.
The position at the end of Day 1 stood at CGS 3 Titans/ACGA 3 comprised of 1 win each and 4 halved matches.
The bar area patio was filled with sounds of what could should and did take place as players exchanged the tale of their days play. We then went to check in to our rooms and prepare for dinner.
The anticipation of food was balanced against the fact that the European Cup Final was taking place at the same time. The Library was the venue for our meal which was very well received. Following food the captains announced the order of play for day 2. Twelve singles matches were announced with some match-ups looking good for both sides. This was going to be close but we were confident that we could pull it off.
Day 2 was as equally beautiful as day 1, the greens had been cut and the scene was set. Eric Queely led off for CGS Vs Errol Green for Titans/ACGA. Carl Douglas as Captain took the anchor role Vs Fearon Newell for Titans/ACGA. The players competed and challenged the course with equal determination, on completion they returned the result and the scores began accumulating. The first three games went to Titans/ACGA followed by two for CGS. The six group featured Titans captain Tennis Russel and CGS chairman Earl Harris. This match went down to the wire with the match being decided on the last putt of the game, CGS now down 4 to 2. CGS bring the match back to 4 each with wins for both Vassel Brown and Don Bramble. With four more matches still out on the course, the title was still up for grabs. However it wasn’t to be for the CGS winning only one of the last four matches, and with the last match complete the cheers went up for Martin Charles (23) as he managed to hold off Roan McLeod (9). with a chipin on the 17th hole after Roan pulled the result back from being 4 down to 2 down with 2 to play.
Congratulations to Titans/ACGA on their thoroughly deserved victory, they displayed their dogged determination to dig deep when they were under some very serious pressure.
Event Result: