31 May 2024

NWMGA Team Match - Week 3, Away vs Prestwich GC

Thursday 30th May saw the Team playing some 48 hours after the last game, but back on schedule with the league Fixtures. Prestwich away is probably one of the hardest away fixtures that there is, as you have to properly manage your way around the course, with plenty of tricky short Par 4's Long Par 3's (The stroke 1 is actually a Par 3 over 200 yards) and 1 Par 5 - which has a narrow target to hit from the Drive. The Team had been hand picked by myself and Gaz, Wednesday only to lose Cosmo to work, and then Si last Minute again due to work, so it was time to call on Joint Team Captains Gaz and I to throw ourselves at the Mercy of Prestwich............Not helped by the fact I updated my GPS the night before, just in case - only to find that it had failed to find the newer Prestwich course. Apologies for the Short write ups, as I played and we had no on course reporter as such, however the outcome unfolds below.

Match / Player Report

Paul 'Rafa' Jones

Rafa went out first, and the slope itself would make his game a very tough one as his 2.9 only gave him a CH of 1 - couple that with him playing a +1 Golfer, and even though he got 2 shots In the Match, he unfortunately lost on the last Hole - A great Effort Rafa against a Formidable opponent and course. Rafa, you can have more time learning how to Cut Grass with DB next Wednesday, . (DB being our Head Grass Cutter Dave Berry)

Kev 'The Machine' Simmons

Back in the team after missing the first couple of weeks, and giving 2 shots, The Machine got back to his usual winning ways with a 2 up victory, and a healthy 4 point haul as he begins his quest to retain the Order of Merit he won last year

Ian 'Mozzer' Morris

Mozzer, again back in the Team after missing the first 2 games and Giving 2 shots, and what seemed to be a Tight game, ended in a flat Match.

Josh Carr

Making His Debut for the Team - giving 3 shots on a New Course for him, (as we had struggled for Low Men) was always going to find it tough - he did eventually lose 4 and 3, however he was only 2 over gross when they shook hands - so that bodes well for the future and adds a little bit more strength to the Low men.

Andy Hall

Andy received 2 shots and after tasting defeat on Tuesday at home, it had left a bitter taste as he swept his opponent aside 3 and 2, and now leads the OOM with 8 points

Ross Speight

Ross was another giving 3 shots - which apart from Rafa, was the theme for all the other Low Men. Ross under his own admission played well, but when it wont drop and your opponents does, then there will only be 1 outcome, unfortunately for Ross, he lost 3 and 2 for his second defeat in a week - He can have a rest next week and maybe join Rafa cutting Grass with DB

Mick 'Kex' Kelly - Joint Team Captain

Drafted in to the team last minute and Last of the low men giving 3 shots to his much younger opponent. The game was always close, and apart from my annoyance at missing a short putt at 17 to remain 1 up - happy with my game - and a Flat Match was a fair result for both players in the end

Gaz Hall - Joint Team Captain

My Fellow Joint Captain, and receiving 2 shots in his match - Gaz had just returned from a bit of an injury but he made no mistake in bringing home the win 3n2

So in the end the Match finished 4-4, which is a brilliant result away from home, but especially there, great Team effort. Thanks yet again to the other 6 lads for giving up their time, and for their contribution to the team spirit after the game. Welcome to Josh Carr our newest recruit, bit of a Baptism of fire playing at Prestwich!! Big Headache now for Team selection for our next game at Home to Whitefield on Wednesday 5th June, however we did say that even a win last night would not guarantee a place in that team, so if you did win and are not selected to play then please do not take it personally - the decision will be made in the best interest of the team, which is why we have a squad - remember those that won Tuesday may not have featured last night. The team will be selected on Monday and you will be approached beforehand to confirm your availability.

Play well this weekend, but not to well that you lose shots!!