The Ogden club beat last years winners, Willow Valley, 6-2 in the 18-hole matchplay event at Huddersfield Golf Club.
The First match out was Tom Calvert (WV) against Jamie Smith (Hx), both now regulars in the Junior Union Team, therefore both knew each others game. The game started in favour of Willow Valley with a par on the first by Tom to go 1-up. The game swung back to in Halifax's favour with a couple of birdies by Jamie in the next few holes.
A solid par on the par 3 eighth and a nett birdie on the 9th gave Jamie a three hole advantage after the first nine holes. Solid golf on the next few holes gave the Halifax youngster a lead that could not be beaten as he won the first match 6 & 4.
The second match out was Tom Brancker (WV) against Nick Bennett (Hx). This game was evenly matched over the first couple of holes until Nick started to pick up the wins and soon gained a 4-up lead going into the back nine. A solid start to the back nine gave Halifax another win, this time 6 & 5.
The third game out saw Alistair Butters (WV) against Adam Curry (Hx), a game that was closer than all the others, and was to decide the eventual outcome of the final. After exchanging the lead a couple of times early on in the match it was Curry who held a one hole advantage at the half way point.
The 4th match out was Tom Pinder (WV) against Liam Dean (Hx) and from the first tee the difference in lengths of drives, in favour of Tom, was going to be a major factor in the result of this game. Liam stood in for the missing Halifax regular, Oliver Davidson, who was on Rugby duties with his school.
Liam never gave in and exchanged wins on a few holes but the superior length off the tee for Tom eventually put points on the board for Willow Valley winning 6 & 5.
Meanwhile match three, which was going to settle this epic final, saw Curry taking a two hole advantage standing on the 14th tee. Curry drove off first hitting the left side with Butters hitting the right semi where after a short search his ball was found and struck further down the par 5 fairway and the same for Curry. Both players pitched onto the green and advantage went to Curry knocking it in closer than Butters who then came up just short with his birdie attempt unlike Curry who calmly rolled it in for a birdie and a three hole advantage with just four to play.
A wayward drive from Curry on the 15th lost him the hole and reduced the lead to 2up with three to play. Both players hit long drives down the 16th fairway leaving only short iron shots into the green. Both shots came up short on the front of the green but with Curry having a shot on his partner the advantage was back with Halifax.
Curry putted up just short and Butters knowing only birdie would do came up just short too and gracefully conceded the hole to Curry to give Adam a 3-up with two to play victory and the Junior league title to the Halifax Juniors.
Halifax Golf Club Captain Gene Gerrard and past Captain David Lightfoot, who followed all the games, were delighted with all the Juniors who played in the final at Fixby giving a big credit to the Willow Valley juniors on their attitude and behaviour on and off the course.
Halifax Golf Club Junior Organiser Darren Davison was full of praise for all his Juniors for all their hard work this season and to Steve Smith who has helped so much with the Junior section. Darren also gave a big thanks to Sponsors David Lightfoot, Nev Pollard and Lee Shaw for raising funds to coach these juniors and the hard work has paid off.
Halifax are now trying to emulate the standard set last year by Willow Valley who, after qualifying from the next regional finals stage, went onto the National finals which they won with a fantastic team effort and saw them represent England in the Home Nations Final in La Manga golf resort in Spain. Willow Valley Junior organiser gave the Halifax team his best wishes in the next round.
Photo above left to right; Liam Dean, Nick Bennett's (captain) Darren Davison (Junior Organiser), Jamie Smith and Adam Curry.
0 comments:
Post a Comment