Boys Under 17’s away day at Sundridge Park GC West course
Sunday 22nd October saw an inexperienced u17 team travel to the sun-drenched Sundridge Park just outside of Bromley to take on their counterparts from Kent in the annual friendly. A very last-minute switch of course, just as the first matches were making their way to the first tee, from the East course which had one hole out of play saw this match played on the West course on a beautiful autumn day. This match is becoming akin to recent Ryder Cups where an away win is becoming more and more elusive, and this would prove to be the case again in 2023 with the hosts winning by a margin of 6-2.
The team who traveled was mostly made up of players who have been part of the playing or performance squads this past year but who were unable to play in many of the matches throughout the year due to other commitments such as examinations and a few stalwarts thrown in too. There were also two debutants in the form of Hanbury Manor’s William Lyons and Callum McCarthy of Knebworth GC both of whom were representing Hertfordshire for the first time at any level.
Kent fielded a very strong team as they hadn’t had a match together since mid-May and from the get go, Hertfordshire found themselves chasing their opponents. Newly capped England international Harry Cox had a very rare off day and found himself on the wrong side of a 5&4 defeat to fellow England player Jack Swift. Castor Morris and Patrick Donovan were on the wrong end of respective 3&1 and 3&2 scorelines. There were narrow defeats too for Oscar Freeman and despite a birdie barrage from the West Herts man, Harrison Preston, the aforementioned Callum fought back from a very early 4 down deficit against the Kent captain before being edged out on the 17th green.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom on the day though. Nathaniel Warren of Verulam GC was in inspired form and was 5up after 5 and at one stage was even 7up. He would eventually register a fine 5&3 victory. Will Lyons was in a closer match which went all the way to the final green. Despite being 1 down at the turn Will would eventually record a 1-hole win against his Kent opponent.
Harry Cox lost 5&4 v Jack Swift, – Nathaniel Warren won 5&3 v Ed Greenslade, – Castor Morris lost 2&1 v George Edwards, – William Lyons won 1 hole v Josh van Niekerk, – Patrick Donovan lost 3&2 v Tom Paterson, – Harrison Preston lost 1 hole v Max Murray, Oscar Freeman lost 2&1 v Scott Antoun, & Callum McCarthy lost 2&1 v Abe Bignell.
