Surrey Golf YearBook 2019 | Page 21

matches against other Counties the team went the year undefeated! Not to be outdone the U13 team also went the entire year undefeated against several other Counties in friendly matches along with winning the Triple Shield against Sussex and Kent, then beat Hampshire and Sussex for the Friendship Trophy. Our youngest team the under 12’s, which includes boys as young as nine followed suit and remained undefeated for the entire year, they continue to be a very strong section, and shows that the future for boys’ and men’s golf in Surrey continues to be bright. We would like to thank all those Clubs, and their members, for supporting us by hosting County events during the year, namely: - County 1st Team Matches: - Addington Palace GC, Coombe Hill GC, Hankley Common, Hindhead GC, Roehampton GC, Royal Wimbledon GC, St. George’s Hill GC, Sunningdale GC, Walton Heath GC, Wentworth GC and Woking GC. Seniors’ Matches: - Worplesdon GC and Burhill GC who hosted the Seniors SEG League matches and all the practice and coaching sessions. County Championships: - Addington Palace GC, Betchworth GC, Burhill GC, Clandon Regis GC, Farnham GC, Leatherhead GC, Milford GC, Purley Downs GC and Farnham GC. Junior Matches: - Camberley Heath GC, Chobham GC, Guildford GC, Hampton Court Palace GC, Merrist Wood GC, Puttenham GC, Purley Downs GC, St Georges Hill GC, Sunningdale Heath GC, West Byfleet GC, West Surrey GC, County Card Meetings: - St Georges Hill GC, West Byfleet GC, West Hill GC, Hindhead GC, Hankley Common GC, Walton Heath GC. FIRST TEAM REPORT FROM KIERAN LOVELOCK Having ended 2017 on a high by winning the South East League the Surrey first team proceeded into 2018 in a positive mood. The plan remained the same- to continue to integrate youth with the experience within the squad, all of which would be moulded together by a great team spirit. After some intense winter coaching training (some of which took part in heavy snow!) at the ever accommodating Burhill pre season started well with an 8-4 victory over Sunningdale with a side that included juniors Tom Spreadbrough and Enrique Dimayuga making their debuts. A disappointing loss to Royal Wimbledon followed after which our next two pre-season matches fell victim to the Beast from the East. Our pre-season ended with a 10.5 - 4.5 win over a strong Hindhead team and with players to come back from America we headed into the season with momentum with almost the whole squad getting game time under their belts. The opening game of the season was played against Sussex at the wonderful Coombe Hill. Having returned home from America both Max O’Hagan and Angus Flanagan were able to play however due to a late injury Dave Primrose was replaced by former First Team captain, Mark Booker. The morning foursomes ended 2.5-1.5 to Sussex with Kieran Lovelock and Billy Whiteman winning their sixth match in a row in the alternate shot format. A tense afternoon of singles matches followed but it wasn’t to be and Sussex managed to take game seven up the last to win by the narrowest margins. Hankley Common would provide the hosting of the second match of the season against Dorset. Surrey would welcome new County Champion Jacob Aaholm into the team for his debut as well as Burhill Men’s Open Champion, Cameron Phillips. The match was tied up at 2-2 at lunch with both Jacob and Cameron winning their foursomes matches partnering Will Dugdale and Max O’Hagan respectively. Yet again the singles matches would come down to the wire with Cameron Philipps and Billy Whiteman getting halves, however unfortunately captain Kieran Lovelock couldn’t quite manage the same result in the anchor match and the final match score would end 6-6. The annual six man tournament was up next and we headed to Orsett with the same plan of mixing youth with experience by fielding a team of Max O’Hagan, Angus Flanagan, Cameron Phillips, David Corben, Will Dugdale and Harry Plowman-Ollington. As with last year we unfortunately didn’t have our “A game” and despite some great preparation finished halfway in a field of eleven teams. With the vast majority of our team now playing college golf in the States I have no doubt that next year we will be in a much stronger and more experienced place to do well. - 21 -