Boys Challenge Shield Match 2023
THE COUNTY BOYS UNDER 18 & UNDER 16 TEAMS PICTURED ON THE PUTTING GREEN AT MID HERTS GC WITH THEIR LEAD COACHES, MATT SPENCER OF ESSENDON & LAURENCE ALLEN OF VERULAM.
The annual season opener on the Wednesday of winter half term saw 24 of the most promising junior boys in Hertfordshire enjoy the Mid Herts heathland course in this annual match between the Under 18’s v Under 16’s for the Boys Challenge Shield. This year the matches included players from the Performance, Playing and Development squads and u14 squad captain River Gardiner, and everyone who played gave a great account of themselves throughout the day with some exceptional shot making and scoring from both teams.
The match, which was last played in 2020 due to Covid and Storm Dudley in 2022, is always keenly contested and this year was no different with the boys enjoying the crisp, dry conditions presented to them. The match was evenly poised at lunch with the U18’s taking a slender 3.5-2.5 lead after the morning foursomes. So, it was all to play for in the afternoon and the all-important 12 individual singles matches.
With matches going off the 1st and 10th tees, the u18s recorded victories in 5 of the opening 6 games that went off the 1st tee which gave the impression that a landslide win was imminent. However, at the same time, their younger opponents were recording wins in 4 of the 6 games that started on the 10th. With one game also tied, things couldn’t have been any tighter with the result being a narrow victory by 10 points to 8 for the Under 18’s, who retain the Challenge Shield they had won in 2020 at Berkhamsted.
Overall a very enjoyable day was had by all in this early season fixture which has the aim to give the boys a taste of competitive golf after the winter and to hone learning opportunities and develop match play experiences. Our thanks to Mid Herts for generously hosting us and especially to David, the greenkeeping staff and finally the catering team for the food on the day.
WINNING BOYS UNDER 18 CAPTAIN JAMES BAXTER OF CENTURION WITH THE CHALLENGE SHIELD, PICTURED WITH BOYS UNDER 18 MANAGER PETER HOPKINS OF BISHOP’S STORTFORD
Click here to view the full results of the match
THE BOYS CHALLENGE SHIELD
