DEVON MEN DEFEAT DORSET IN THE CHANNEL LEAGUE

On Sunday 14th May Devon welcomed Dorset to Exeter Golf and Country Club with both teams keen to build upon recent home wins in the Channel League.

Home players Peter Howell and Jack Jeffery led the foursomes off and made a quick impression winning early holes and playing error free foursomes golf. The Exeter pair, brimming with confidence, finished on 13 for a 6&5 win.

Match 2 had Tiveton’s Eliot Baker and Jay Scott matching up against an experienced Dorset pair of Oscar Hein and Matt Warren. Some exciting match play golf characterised this match with some fantastic recovery shots from the tree lined Exeter fairways. Devon’s consistency was winning back 9 holes and gave them a lead they would close out on 17 for a 2&1 win.

Leigh Jones and Dan Rosevear continued to show great form as a foursomes pairing and were up early and playing error free golf. A birdie on 13 took the pair 5 up with 5 to play. A Dorset birdie on 14 and a remarkable Eagle on the long 15th took this to the 16th hole, where the experienced Devon pair closed this one out 3 &2.

A new pairing of Stover’s Archie Christophers and The Warren’s Ben Sclater took a 4 hole lead through 10 holes despite losing the first two holes. An important up and down on 13 preserved their 4 hole lead and a win with birdie on 14 ended the match 5&4 in Devon’s favour.

There was very little in the final match throughout the round, some great saves from each pair on the front nine they continued to match each other shot for shot on the back 9. All square with 3 to play a fine Devon birdie on 16 won the hole. In typical fashion in this game, Dorset would bounce straight back on 17 with a birdie after Kolberg drove the green. Down the last all sqaure and Dorset had the advantage in the fairway after Devon had played for position on this par 5, having driven in the rough.

Kolberg, going for the green would leak his long approach splashing down in the greenside pond. Sensing a possible clean sweep, Saunton’s Stan White wedged 15 feet over the flag and the par was enough for he, and partner Ryan Acres to secure a 1up victory and 5-0 foursomes return for Devon.

*Missing pair Ryan Acres and Stanley White

The singles, underway in warm early summer sunshine saw Eliot Baker in match 1 take on Oscar Hein. Baker looked full of confidence following a recent top 10 in the Lytham Trophy and found his stride early and built up a 4 hole lead mid-way through the back 9. This good quality match would finish with a birdie 2 for Baker on 16 and a 3 and 2 win.

Exeter’s Peter Howell has also been quietly recording some good early season finishes and he was involved in a tight match with the experienced Kolberg. 1 down at the turn, Howell found form with the driver and by the time he came back round he had won two holes in the field and had a 1 hole lead. Another win on 17 gave Pete a 2&1 win.

Jack Jeffery in match 3 looked in total control of his ball and was capitalising on any error from his opponent. A strong day with the long clubs and ever consistent on the greens, Jack finished his day on 15 with a 4 and 3 win.

Remarkably, the three early afternoon wins took Devon to the 8 points required to win the match with seven keenly contested matches still on the course.

Jay Scott is another who has enjoyed good form at Exeter in the past. Some precision iron play gave Jay plenty of winning opportunities and he would move into the back 9, 3up. Steady back 9 golf saw this tie also end on 15 and a 4&3 win.

Saunton youngster Stanley White , up against Sam Roles was down early and struggling to make any headway, finding some heavy lies and relying on scrambling to keep in touch with the consistent Roles. A fine shot into 15 from the Dorset man would settle this one to record a 4/3 victory and Dorset’s first point of the day.

Ben Sclater, returning to his childhood golf club showed all his experience when facing Lyme Regis’ hot prospect Zac Mudford. Up early, Sclater kept a narrow lead with some clutch up and downs before closing out his match on 17 for a 2&1 win.

Ryan Acres , fresh off a recent Order of Merit win was confidently plotting his way round in typical error free fashion. Four up after 10 Ryan, maintained this lead and even after his flop shot lipped out on 15, the par was enough to halve the hole and win his match 4&3.

The last two matches were the next to finish Leigh Jones losing out 5&3 and Dan Rosevear losing 2&1 in a good quality match.

This left Archie Christophers in the only match left on the course vs Luke Hirst. The Dorset man had played some miraculous recovery shots and holed some significant footage and they went to the 18th all square in this entertaining match. Dorset with the honour played for position with an Iron. Archie, knowing the green was in reach hit a fine tee shot to the right edge of the fairway. With Hirst in position for a wedge for this third to the par 5, Archie launched a long iron straight at the flag from 210 yards, pitching and stopping 2 feet from the flag for a conceded eagle and a spectacular way to end a great match.

Click here for full match results

Thanks to Exeter Golf and Country Club, Darren Everett and the many members who offered support on the day.

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