Surrey Golf
Surrey A Team vs. Roehampton
A highlight of the year is our annual visit to the beautiful Roehampton Club, and once again, this year's visit didn't disappoint.
Given the recent rain and changeable weather, the team arrived at The Roehampton Club to a sunny, dry golf club that might as well have been a game played in mid-June, that is if it wasn't about 10 degrees!
The chill soon disappeared (mainly due to the hot bacon rolls) and the golf heated up very quickly!
First out saw Surrey's Andy Inglis who was a former member at Roehampton, play against the formidable Mike Hamblin.
With both players in form, and on a course where knowledge is key, they remained inseparable throughout as a brilliant birdie on the 18th from Mike finished off in the game in a half.
A half point that would later make all the difference!
Playing with Andy and Mike was the very solid Chris Marriott for Surrey, against Roehampton's Captain Peter Crocombe.
Unfortunately for Peter, Chris was too solid all afternoon and shook hands on the 15th to give Surrey a tiny lead.
Group 2 saw the repeat match of Surrey Captain Mark Scott against Roehampton's Dave Birn.
With the overall rivalry currently at 2-2 after Mark tied the series last year, could 2024 be the decider?
Sadly for the Surrey Captain, the Roehampton artist had a ridiculously hot putter, and seemed to play better and better as the match went on.
With Mark holding on the best he could driving all 3 short par 4's on the front nine, including chipping in once for eagle, and again for birdie a second time while sadly experiencing lip out after lip out with a much colder putter.
Dave then went ballistic going 6 under through 6 holes from the 9th to finally bring the game to an abrupt finish on the 15th with a spectacular 4 iron from 220 to 5 feet, and an almost gimmie eagle given his form on the greens.
Down it dropped and off came the caps.
In the same group was Rowan Noble for Surrey, who was pitted against the newly crowned Roehampton ‘Lockwood Foster Handicap Knockout' Champion that very morning Adam Muskikant.
A feat that is particularly impressive for any of the Scratch players at Roehampton.
This means Rowan had to have hit wits with him all afternoon to keep Adam at bay.
Again, sadly for Surrey, the Roehampton Champion kept his form going from the morning and took the point on the 17th green.
Group 3 had 2 fellow greenkeepers and big hitting duo of John Ingham and Callum Rice for Surrey, playing against Tom Bembow and Brian Crotty for Roehampton respectively.
A match that seemed to be full of fireworks, as I wondered over to the group on the 9th to ask how it was going, and John just shook his head!
“These boys are unreal, I'm 2 under and 4 down!†he said.
“Callum is also playing well and getting stuffed!â€
Needless to say, neither of these matches went past the 16th!
Next up saw the experience of Surrey's Keith Collins taking down Rob Finley 5&3 and on contrast in this group, former Roehampton Club Champion Luke Gorman who was too dominant around his home track winning his match 5&3 against Surrey's Chris Powell.
The final group of the day (who were by no means the last group back into the clubhouse!) was the Surrey due of James Molyneux and the very talented James Marriott against Dante Mama and Vince Thorne.
Both were done and dusted early as the Surrey pair displayed outstanding golf to claim their matches 5&3 and 6&4 respectively.
Word has it that James Marriott may have been around 8 under when his game finished! Definitely one to watch for the future, especially as he is still to turn 17!
So the result, and remember when I said about Mike's birdie for Roehampton on the 18th that made a difference…. It did!
Final score, 4.5 to Surrey, 5.5 to Roehampton!
Once again, and just like the last 5 years in a row, the two teams were separated by a single point!
My thanks and congratulations go once again to Roehampton, and I speak for all of my Surrey team mates when I say we are already looking forward to next year!
Mark Scott
Surrey A Team Captain
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