James & Tommy just miss out in County Foursomes play-off
James Surridge and Tommy Ashton finished as runners-up in the Herts County Foursomes at Old Fold Manor on Saturday 20th August. They scored a superb 1 under par 70 in the morning, followed by 76 in the afternoon to tie for the lead with 3 other pairs on 146. There then followed a 4 way play-off, which was won at the second extra hole by Paul Wilkins and Lewis Watcham from Harpenden Common.
The other Verulam pair of Paul Senior and Dave Salter scored 156 (78, 78), and our total of 302 in the overall team event was good enough for 4th place, just 4 shots behind winners Moor Park.
Scratch Team win secures promotion
A comprehensive home win against Mill Green in their final game on Saturday has seen the Verulam Scratch Team secure promotion to Herts Division 2.
After a stunning away win at Harpenden two weeks ago, victory in this final match was always likely to be good enough to claim the Division 3 runners-up spot, behind Porters Park. Verulam took a strong 3 -1 lead from the morning foursomes, and then dominated the afternoon singles to finish up with a comfortable 9.5 – 2.5 win, with all 8 players contributing at least one win. And then 24 hours later, results elsewhere meant that promotion was confirmed, and the team could look forward to a return to Division 2 for the first time since 2004.
Congratulations to all of the 13 players who have represented the team in league matches this season:
James Surridge (unbeaten, with 10 wins and 2 halves)
Tommy Ashton
Louis Matamala
Paul Senior
Alan Murray
Eric Keith
Dave Salter
Gareth Hodges
David Dobinson
Steve Fownes (captain)
Mark Bosher
Tim O’Donovan
Calum Marjoram
Cam takes Champion Tommy to the 38th!
Tuesday 26th July
After winning the Tom Anderson-Davis Cup for the best nett in the Club Championship on Saturday, Cameron Taylor led Tommy Ashton from the 2nd hole in the Junior Club Championship. Tommy finally drew level after birdies on their 32nd and 33rd holes resulting in a tie on 152.
Tommy prevailed on the 2nd hole of the sudden-death playoff to remain Junior Club Champion. Callum Walker was 3rd on 162.
On a day of exceptional scoring more than half the field cut their handicaps. Cam won the Rylands Trophy with a nett score of 132, 6 lower than his winning score on Saturday and 5 clear of Charlie Bowskill and Molly Doyle.
Matt Lye and Anthony Walter now share the lead in the Aslett Trophy for the Junior with the best hole by hole nett medal score for 2011.
Scratch Team well beaten by Porters Park
The Scratch Team lost 9 – 3 away at league-leaders Porters Park on Saturday. In what was always going to be the toughest match of the season, the foursomes were closely fought, but in pouring rain Porters won 3 of the morning games on the 17th, with only James Surridge and Tommy Ashton managing a half. We faired only slightly better in the afternoon singles - the only winners were James (who’s unbeaten run now stretches back 15 games) and Gareth Hodges, with captain Steve Fownes managing a half.
Whilst Porters are now well clear and looking likely Division 3 winners, a win in both our last two matches could well be enough to claim second place and promotion to Division 2. The next game is away at Harpenden on 30th July.
Verulam come 3rd in Knebworth Silver Bowl
Verulam put in a strong performance in the Knebworth Bowl event at Knebworth GC on Saturday, coming 3rd of 22 teams in the Silver Bowl (nett) and 6th overall in the Gold Bowl (scratch).
On a testing day that ended in heavy rain, our team had individual gross scores as follows
James Surridge 75, 74
Tommy Ashton 73, 74
Gareth Hodges 77, 81
Moor Park won the Gold Bowl, whilst Knebworth claimed the Silver Bowl.
Points a plenty!
Sunday 3rd July
Will Cutmore scored 46 points to win the July Junior Stableford, just ahead of Ben Moore (44), James Biggs and Molly Doyle (40 each).
On a day of impressive scoring (average 38 points), 6 of the 11 players had a 2 on their card!!
Ben Moore takes over the lead, just ahead of Matt Lye, in the Day Trophy for the Junior with the best hole by hole stableford score for 2011.
Tom wins McMillan Salver
Saturday 26th June
Tom Li had the outstanding round on a warm and windy Saturday to win the McMillan Salver with a nett 68.
Molly Doyle picked up the June Junior Medal on countback over the last 3 holes with a nett 71 (edging out Tom Burman and Cam Taylor).
Matt Lye takes over the lead from Anthony Walter and Will Cutmore in the Aslett Trophy for the Junior with the best hole by hole medal score for 2011.
Nick picks up stableford with 46 points!
Sunday 5th June
Nick Marnoch scored an very impressive 46 points to win the June Junior Stableford. Anthony Walter (40) and Matt Lye (39) continued their run of handicap reductions in 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
Matt maintains the lead, just ahead of Nick and Tom Li, in the Day Trophy for the Junior with the best hole by hole stableford score for 2011.
Scores adjusted for Tee SSS differences
CSS = 71
Scratch Team too strong for Knebworth
The scratch team recorded a stunning home win over Knebworth on Sunday, by 9.5 points to 2.5, and are now only 1 point behind league leaders Porters Park.
Following an impressive three wins and one half from the morning four foursomes games, we dominated the singles as well to record our biggest win for several seasons. Very well done to James Surridge, Louis Matamala, Gareth Hodges, Mark Bosher, Alan Murray (all of whom won both of their games), Eric Keith and Tommy Ashton.
League results so far:
Chesfield Downs 7, Verulam 5
Verulam 7.5, Ashridge 4.5
Verulam 9.5, Knebworth 2.5
Our next match is a top of the table clash at Porters Park on 16th July
Scratch team win sees them move up to 2nd
The scratch team beat Ashridge at home on Saturday by 7.5 points to 4.5 to move up to equal second in Division 3. On a blustery day at Verulam, the morning foursomes were won 3-1 as Ashridge struggled with the firm, fast conditions. The afternoon singles were more evenly matched, but we picked up the points needed to win comfortably. Congratulations in particular go to James Surridge, Tommy Ashton, Louis Matamala and Paul Senior, all of whom won maximum points, and to David Dobinson who was unbeaten with a win and a half.
Next weekend sees the visit of Knebworth, with whom we currently share second place in the division, and a chance to close the gap on league leaders Porters Park.
