Surrey Golf YearBook 2017 | Page 26

In early July BB&O hosted the South East group qualifier at Calcot Park. After the morning’s six rounds, Hampshire led with Surrey three strokes behind. In fact five teams were only separated by five shots. Unfortunately despite reasonably solid performances all round we did not have that one stand out performance to send us to victory; Surrey finished second. In the end we were four shots away from finishing first in both the league and qualifier over the course of a year where approximately 3600 were hit. We now have a group with great unity and experience which has increased year on year. I look forward to leading this group to its deserved success in my fourth year as captain. Friendly Matches THE COUNTY v ROYAL WIMBLEDON Surrey won 7 - 5 THE COUNTY v WALTON HEATH Surrey won 10 - 2 THE COUNTY v W ENTWORTH Surrey won 9 - 6 THE COUNTY v ST GEORGE’S HILL Surrey won 10 - 2 THE COUNTY v SUNNINGDALE Surrey won 9 - 3 League Matches THE COUNTY v SUSSEX Surrey won 8½ - 3½ THE COUNTY v DORSET Surrey won 7 - 5 THE COUNTY v HAMPSHIRE Surrey lost 2½ - 9½ THE COUNTY v KENT Surrey halved 6 - 6 SENIOR TEAM REPORT FROM BILLY MITCHELL Interest in the Seniors has increased over the last couple of years and we now have a large and capable squad of golfers eager to represent the County. With Senior golf being essentially a midweek activity availability is always an issue. However, in 2016 if everyone was available we could field a 10 man team with maximum individual handicap of 2. During the winter months the County coach held a number of coaching sessions at the RAC Club which were well attended and proved very helpful to those who took part. 2016 was the first year we have been based at a single golf club and we are indebted to Royal Mid- Surrey GC (RMS) for being such brilliant hosts. Our season kicked off with our annual get together at Hankley and was quickly followed by our annual ‘friendly’ against Hertfordshire played at RMS where we came second as we fielded a number of new players. This was quickly followed by a match against RMS where the ‘old boys’ surprised a strong RMS team by coming away with a 5-0 win. In April we hosted Jersey Seniors for our annual two day fixture. This year our thanks go to Worplesdon and Hankley Common golf clubs for their hospitality. After a halved match on Day 1 we prevailed on Day 2 at Hankley with a convincing 4-1 win for an overall result of 6.5-2.5. Our first competitive fixture on 7th June was against Kent at RMS on a day interrupted by thunder and lightning and a very competitive fixture went to the last game and last putt for the fixture to be halved 5-5. Buoyed by a good performance we travelled to Remedy Oak to face Dorset and, short of a couple of players due to clash with Scottish Seniors we came unstuck going down 6-4 to a good Dorset side. This year Hampshire hosted the Southern Counties Foursomes qualifier at Liphook GC which was in outstanding condition. A new round robin format was successfully introduced this year. This ensured there was no ‘dead rubber’ in the afternoon. A closely contested day resulted in our hosts being victorious and unfortunately Surrey propped up the Table. On the 4th July we returned to RMS to face the current League holders, Hampshire, who fielded a very strong side and we were well beaten 6-4, a result which ended our chances of winning the League. We did rally for our final league match against Sussex at Piltdown where a strong Surrey side prevailed 6-4 to finish 3rd in the League. Hampshire went on to beat BB&O in the SE final. - 24 -