The competitive season got underway with us hosting Kent in our opening League match. A great
team performance delivered a terrific 8-2 win over a strong Kent side. Hampshire visited Burhill
on 3rd July. A closely contested match was decided in the last two matches on the course when
John Mathis delivered the winning point. Going into our last two league matches we were still in
with an opportunity to win the league. We came unstuck against Sussex at Crowborough Beacon
where we lost 9-1. The weather denied us a practice round and this was a major factor on the
day. Our final match vs Dorset at Knighton Heath GC ended in a 5-5 draw and we finished in 2nd
place in the League behind Sussex.
The Six Man Qualifier fro the National Championship was held at Hindhead GC on 17-18th July.
The course was in excellent condition and we held a narrow lead after day 1. A disappointing
performance on second day coupled with an outstanding performance Sussex saw them emerge
as winners for the second year running while we tied 2nd with BB&O.
The SE Foursomes qualifier was hosted by Sussex at Copthorne GC. On a rather wet day the result
went down to the last game on the course between Surrey and Sussex which we lost by 1 hole to
finish second at the narrowest of margins behind Sussex.
In November we had the annual match against the Surrey Senior Ladies at Worplesdon GC and a
great day’s golf ended with the Ladies securing a 3-2 win.
Our congratulations go to Chris Spiller in winning The Surrey Seniors Championship, held this
year at Betchworth GC. In 2019 the Championship will be held at Burhill GC. Special mention
and congratulations go to Ian Attoe who won the English Seniors Championship for the second
time. A play-off was required but Ian triumphed on the first extra hole. Ian Attoe also represented
England Team in the European Team Championships and Home Internationals. Finally, well
done to Les Bruckner who won the South East Seniors Championship for the first time at South
Bedfordshire GC.
In 2018 we had the strongest ever squad of players and with the exception of our performance
in the Six Man our results are a testament to that fact. An injection of new blood and some great
performances from established players mean that Surrey is now truly competitive and our position
can only improve with more players showing an interest in representing the County.
2018 is my final year as Captain of Surrey Seniors and I am enormously grateful for the support
I have received throughout my tenure, but I must single out John Noble for his commitment
to the Seniors. We have made great strides and Surrey has emerged as a force in Seniors golf
and I am optimistic that under our new Captain, Pat Cunningham, we will very soon be in the
winners circle
A TEAM REPORT FROM PHIL BRITTAIN
It has been another great year for Surrey A. In January two new captains joined the group. The
ever available A Team squad players of Mark Scott and Ben Palmer, joined the three stalwarts of
Andy Inglis, Keith Collins and Phil Brittain to manage the 2018 season.
The winter weather took its toll on the early fixtures at Coombe Wood and West Surrey - so the
season eventually started in March with tight tussle with The Addington. The county won 7-5
and Captain Scott had held onto his shield on its first outing.
Captain Palmer’s first match in charge resulted in a resounding win over Farnham in early April,
and following weekend saw a win over Mitcham with Phil at the helm.
The newly reinstated Betchworth match resulted in a defeat in May - the county office were (as
ever) disappointed with the loss of a shield, but a well contested match is quite rightly back on
the calendar. We’ll be back next year.
Captain Keith assembled a battled hardened team for North Downs in May and secured a
handsome victory over tricky opponents at a far from straightforward venue.
Tyrrells Wood fielded a typically strong team in July, but Phil had secured the services of the
County Champion Jacob Aaholm and 6 other gritty match players. A comfortable victory was
the very pleasing result.
The only match in September was tight affair at Purley Downs, but another victory for Surrey,
under the careful management of Mark.
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