Derbyshire County Golf
Derbyshire Under 18s started their campaign off for 2022 against a very strong Worcestershire team that disappointingly was missing one of their players with James Illsley being unable to travel through illness.
The doubles matches were very evenly matched up with Quinn and Gavin going up against Phil and Cassius, with all the boys knowing each other it was not only going to be a tough game but one that maybe had a a bit of bragging rights to boot, Quinn and Gavin took and early lead but were soon pegged back, it was then the Worcestershire front pair who took the advantage down the homeward straight again only for the Derbyshire pairing to pull it back to A/S going down 18, our boys had a great chance to close the game out on the green but with Phil holing a 9 foot putt the match was halved.
In the second match a similar theme was taking shape our Captain Taylor along side the ever impressive Shearer took and early foothold in the game and through 9 found themselves 3 up, they too were up against a strong pairing and had to work hard to maintain their advantage through the latter stages, they managed to do so and won their match 1 up on the last.
The next group was a new pairing that felt right, Ollie and Harry took to the tee against another powerful group who would prove to be no shrinking violets, Ollie and Harry were in control early on and on the fifth a great bunker shot from Ollie and a 8 foot putt from Harry looked to have extended the lead before the Worcestershire pairing followed it with a similar distance to make the half, the game swapped lead several times before they found themselves A/S going down 17, Worcestershire took advantage again on that hole and although the boys worked hard to win 18 they fell just short losing 1 down.
The pairing of the day saw James and Jacob take the play great golf together, they lead all the way and look comfortably as a pairing throughout the round eventually closing the game out on the 15 green.
With Worcestershire a man short Zach and Matt went out with Harry from Worcestershire having already secured the point for Derbyshire.
A quick turnaround was in order and soon the teams were back out for the singles with the sun shining down for a great battle in the afternoon to look forward to.
Looking down the order this was going to be one big test for the boys,
Gavin was paired with Phil in the first group and both England regional players, this was too hard to. Call, Phil came out on top this time around and gave Worcestershire a much needed point
Next out was Quinn and Louie both fresh from returning from the Scottish Boys Championship,
Again another that you wouldn't want to call, Louie taking a 3 up lead at one stage with 3 birdies on the bounce before Quinn fought back to make 3 birdies in the last 4 holes to win 1 up,
In the third group another tight match, Taylor our Captain and one of our most reliable players was paired against Tom another from the England Regional squad, this game could of gone either way with it being all square for long periods and at one stage Taylor going behind through 13, but again he fought back with an excellent display to win 1 up on the last
Harry had the most difficult task of all, on paper this was another tight game but Cassius had brought his A game to the table and sometimes you just have to accept your opponent was on fire, Harry did very little wrong and stayed in it without dropping his head which was testement to his great attitude on the day, this now made the single 2-2 and all to play for, with all other games out on the course swinging on a regular basis, the next group was James against Mark, again another well matched up pairing with both capable of beating anyone on their day, James sent Derbyshire into an early lead and maintained it through 13 but Mark is a tough opponent and as the round drew to a close it was the Worcestershire lad who prevailed winning on the 18th 1 up.
Oliver then stepped up against Harry from Worcestershire and although Harry fought valiantly, Ollie maintained his early lead and dispatched his opponent on the 14th green with a very disciplined performance.
The game was still on a knife edge with Derbyshire now having 7.5 points but were down in all 3 remaining games, needed a half from somewhere to win the match.
Next up was Shearer against Dan, two lads who have been integral players for their respective counties right through the age groups, another tight game was in order, Shearer had taken an early lead and was in good shape but this wasnt going to be forgone conclusion, the Worcestershire lad is a fierce competitor and birdies were needed to win holes, The Derbyshire team found themselves 1 down going down the last, a valiant effort from Shearer to get Derbyshire their half was matched by Dan who managed to hold on their his 1 up victory.
It was now down to the final two groups and at one stage both the Derbyshire boys had found themselves 3 down, this was now a case of cometh the hour, cometh the man and neither disappointed, Derbyshire have spoken about their strength in depth this season and that we have no weakness, this was to prove the case, both the Derbyshire boys were paired against great golfers and this was going to be tough, Jacob was 2 down with 5 to play whilst Zach had clawed his game back to A/S at the same point.
Speaking to the lads you just sensed they were up for the fight and boys they were, Jacob chipped in at 16 to take his match to A/S on 17 and took to the tee at 18 in the same position.
Zach matched Tom shot for shot with great pars at 16 and and what was thought to be his shot of the day at 17 to put his opponent under pressure at 17 but the Worcestershire lad made Birdie, both matches now were in the balance with Jacob all square and Zach 1 down with one to play!
Derbyshire needed a half.......
Jacob was equal too it, Zach was equal to it!
First up Jacob, driver bullet straight, approach shot to 8 feet BIRIDIE!! and 1 up, Derbyshire victorious.
The drama wasn't over, Zach had gone left of the tee, he knew he had to find the green, he hit his approach shot through the eye of a needle onto the edge of green and made par to win the hole and half his match.
Derbyshire won 9-6 against a very good Worcestershire side.
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