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Why does it always have to be like this

25 Jul 2010

Another day, another Palairet match, another batch of grey hairs.

There never seems to be anything easy for this team. I know Palairet matches are invariably close affairs, but we seem to be abusing the privilege. I guess that at least this time the game finished without extra holes, but there was still no shortage of drama.

It was no surprise to find we were conceding a lot of shots. That was fully expected, and the team make-up and order had been changed partly with this in mind. Still, 5 shots in the 1st game, 6 in the next 2, then 8 and 11.

Not surprisingly that 11 shot burden proved too much for Paul Llewellyn and Mark Wood. They stayed competitive through the front nine, but the shots proved crucial and they were finally closed out on the 15th. Up at the other end, Lee West and Rob Sandford played superbly through the first 8 holes to be 5 up, won 1 and halved four of the next 5 to win on the 13th green. In the very top game Andy Place and Jamie Easton-Johns cruised to another win, this time 3/2, again playing excellent foursomes golf.

The need for an early ruling meant that the third and fourth matches had changed order on the golf course. That brought Neil Hailey and Keith Rendell through ahead of Chris Moulder and Mark Fowden. Both games were level crossing the road to the 11th.  Neil and Keith immediately won both 11 and 12, lost 13 to birdie but made a birdie of their own at 14 to regain that 2-hole advantage. 15 was lost to a net birdie. Mark Davis hit a great wooden club shot into the heart of the par 3 16th, providing a chance for birdie, but the holed was halved in par after a superb approach putt from Neil and a miss from Mark's partner Paul Standon.

17 proved a classic. Paul's tee shot looked to be out of bounds, but proved to be safe by 6 feet. Neil hit the ball in the edge of the fairway. The Saunton boys then had a burst of adventure which ended with them still 200 yards from the hole in 3, although receiving a shot. Keith played a safe iron shot short of the green, then Mark hit a great shot with a wood but still 10 yards short of the green. Neil chipped safely onto the green from around 40 yards away, whereupon Paul holes the chip shot for a net par. Keith hit a great putt from 20 feet, but it didn't drop - all square.

Mark's tee shot at 18 clipped a tree, but that only served to put it back closer to the fairway. Keith's tee shot took a kick right on landing, and found a fairway trap. Both pairs had to lay up on this short par 5, both pitched safely onto the green. From short and below the level of the hole Neil left the approach putt 6 feet short, Paul left it 2 feet short. Keith missed, Mark holed; Saunton Artisans won 1 up and the match is tied 2-2.

So, back to Chris and Mark. Having lost the 11th a superb approach from Mark to the 13th produced a winning birdie. Both pairs had bunker trouble at 14, but after some tight golf the Staddon pair reach the 17th tee 1 hole up. Both pairs hit their tee shots left and were blocked out by the trees, but the Saunton shot was given up when they needed 2 to escape the trees and the hole was halved. Mark hit a great tee shot at 18, but the 2nd slipped close to the trees on the right. Dave Jarvis and Paul Lane had hit the tee shot at 18 close to the left hand trees, and after a recovery hit a great third shot just short of the green. Mark's chip and run under the trees was just too strong and ran off the left edge of the green. The Saunton boys hit a great putt just 3 feet past the hole, and when Chris' chip came up 6-feet short and Mark missed it looked for all the world like sudden death. 

But strange things happen in Palairet. With all the teams and the many spectators gathered around that putt for the match was missed, and Staddon were through 3 - 2.

Skipper Mike Eastel praised his team for their gritty performance, and thanked the many supporters who had made the trip to Exeter to back their team. They come to support, whether in good weather or bad, and their presence is always appreciated. Thanks were also given to Russell Mayne and the staff at Exeter G & CC for organising and running a fantastic day.

We believe our semi-final opponents will be Libbaton, who have defeated Tavistock at Royal North Devon. The question to be resolved is where. We hope to hear details of the Finals Day venue later in the week.

Away from this kind of tension the Club recorded a good result in the Plymouth League with a tied match at Tavistock on Friday night. Tim Aggett and Jamie Easton-Johns took the top match, courtesy of Jamie's spectacular back nine, whilst Rob Sandford and Andy Crago fought back form losing the first three holes to win at the last. Sadly, a putt to record a further win on the last for Martyn and Darren Clarke lipped out leaving the match tied.

The Club's juniors halvedat home to Yelverton in the Junior League, but 2 points from the return match should see them lead their group and will qualify them for Finals Day. There was a superb performance from Harry Trump in winning his singles, and again Adam Symons came through at the death.