We achieved third place in the Six Man Qualifier which was a great result considering one of our
players has a substantial injury.
We finished the season with a win against the Surrey Senior Ladies at Worplesdon. Not been done
before in living memory.
A big thank you to our President Jack Buchanan for supporting us at the matches.
Thanks to all the golf clubs that supported and hosted our matches, both at home and away,
especially Burhill and Royal Mid Surrey. Steve McNeill, John Noble, Jane, Sue and Caroline also
have our thanks.
The contribution that the players made supporting their county was fantastic. We have a great
team spirit and I’m very much looking forward to our Christmas get together at Royal Mid Surrey.
Next year fills me full of promise for some great results.
A Team Report From Phil Brittain
It has been another good year for Surrey ‘A’ in terms of the highest number of matches played
and players taking part, but not a good year for retaining shields - 5 lost this year. Mark Scott,
Ben Palmer, Andy Inglis, Keith Collins and Phil Brittain continued as captains for the 2019 season.
The winter weather took its toll on the West Byfleet match in early March - so the season started later
in the month at West Surrey. A great venue, with a keen competitive team. Mark’s team secured
the win 5 - 3. The following week Mark led another team against The Addington. The county
won 9½ - 2½. A solid start to the season! Mother’s Day commitments in both squads put paid to
the Farnham match. We’ll look for a different weekend in 2020. Mitcham were next up in April,
with Phil at the helm, unfortunately a closely fought loss was the result 1½ - 2½. Shield one gone.
Keith captained a 2 - 2 draw with Coombe Wood at the end of the month.
Surrey A Team fared better this year at Betchworth. In May, Ben led a hungry team out on the
rolling fairways near Dorking and secured a 9 - 5 victory to secure revenge for last year’s defeat.
Keith selected a strong team for the tricky North Downs fixture later in May - and did well to
secure a halved match 4 - 4.
Tyrrells Wood fielded a typically strong team in July, and this year Surrey were captained by Mark.
The four fourball matches were hard fought, but unfortunately the result was a defeat 1½ - 2½.
Shield two gone.
The only match in August was tight affair at Purley Downs, but another defeat for Surrey. Mark
was disappointed with the final 4 - 6 result. Shield three gone.
Players dropping out last minute, leaving us one player short at both Tyrrells Wood and Purley
Downs were significant factors in these defeats. Extremely disappointing and stressful. This is
something that we’ll want to avoid at all costs as it reflects badly on the county. Two playing
reserves for each fixture is something that is being considered for 2020.
There were three matches arranged for September - but only the new fixture against Sutton
Green went ahead. Another narrow defeat was the result - 5½ - 6½. Shield four gone. Guildford
and the much anticipated ‘new’ match against Hindhead fell foul of the weather.
Mark took charge of the two fixtures in October. The first saw us return to Roehampton and this
year we secured a fantastic 6½ - 5½ win, after defeat last year. Two weekends later we were back
at Reigate Heath. As ever, a truly wonderful day of competitive golf - and this year the A team won
7½ - 4½. At both venues the welcome, the food, the course condition and competitiveness were
absolutely top drawer. Mark understandably had plenty of available players for these matches!
We came up against the extremely combative Banstead Downs in November. A great day for
captain Phil with close friends on both teams, but unfortunately another loss. Shield 5. The season
was brought to a close with the Christmas match at Burhill in late November. Another great day.
Lleyton returned as the traditional county captain with a team of 10 and secured a 3 - 2 victory.
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