Nev Appleton smiles as his PGS team retains the trophy, presented by glum-looking Brian Viner, Northcliffe’s skipper.pic by Ian McIlgorm
For the second year running the highly anticipated match against the Northcliffe Golfing Society ended in a tie – this time an 8-8, high-stakes thriller on the highest golf course in England.
With the PGS cruising into a 6-2 lead on the first day, the match flipped entirely on day two as the Northcliffe came close to a historic Kington Comeback, edging into an 8-7 lead with one match left on the course.
Happily, match captain Nev Appleton had sent out Big Guns Evan Samuel and Ian McIlgorm in his last pairing and they repaid his faith as their 1-up victory secured a dramatic point and ensured the PGS retained the trophy.
Northcliffe captain and Daily Mail film critic Brian Viner hosted us at his home club Kington, which rises to 1,284ft in Herefordshire and provides panoramic views of seven counties from the peak of its fairways. He also booked three days of bright spring sunshine, which combined with a cold easterly wind and bone-dry turf that would test the very best links golfer.
After what proved to be an essential practice day for half of the 16-strong side, the PGS team donned their newly minted team shirts and bobble hats – specially ordered by captain Nev – for the first day of battle in greensomes.
Nic Brook & Jonny Bramley (2&1) and Tim Allan & Mike Waker (2&1) provided early wins, but the Northcliffe balanced the scoring as losses for Andy Glen & Colin Hancock (4&2) and Steve Lewis & Ian McIlgorm (5&4) meant a 2-2 halfway score.
Then a huge 8&7 win for rookie Caroline Day and Hugh Whittow – inspired by views of the distant Welsh mountains set the tone for the remaining matches as Chris Cutmore & Ben Todd (2&1) and Evan Samuel & Neil White (1 up) battled to gutsy wins. Finally, the captains’ shootout of Appleton and Viner, together with playing partners James Nursey and Jon Worsnop respectively, ended 3&2 in the PGS’s favour and added up to a commanding 6-2 match lead for skipper Nev’s side.
Following a convivial dinner – and the awarding of five nearest the pin prizes generously provided by NGS captain Brian – a chilly and windy day two started with the PGS needing just two points to secure the cup.
What could possibly go wrong!?
First up in the better-ball format was in-form Nic Brook and secretary Tim Allan, but despite a great effort they couldn’t match an inspired performance by Viner, who finished his round a terrific three-over gross and was ably supported by Andy Gregory.
Appleton and Whittow fell just short in the second match, losing on the last to Lee Terry and Barry Theobald, while in the third pairing Felix Duckworth (playing for his Daily Mail paymasters – boo!) took revenge for his first-day defeat as he and Jon Worsnop beat ‘Bubbles’ Bramley and ‘Harry Putter’ Waker 3&2.
With the PGS failing to score in three matches and the already testing wind picking up two or three notches, Appleton was now very aware that his team’s lead had been cut to 6-5.
And with radio silence on the WhatsApp group there was a nervous wait before Colin Hancock and Ben Todd emerged on the 18th tee one down to Garth Burden and Ian McGowan. After a great second shot into the green on the very tricky 18th, Hancock was left with a three-footer for birdie that he dispatched to give the PGS their first half point of the day and make it 6½-5½.
However, the NGS soon levelled the match when Jane Burden and Phil Barber beat Steve Lewis and Chris Cutmore 3&1 and the teams stayed neck-and-neck on 7-7 as Andy Glen and Neil White secured a vital half point on the last against Keith Cottington and Phillip Woods.
With momentum with the Northcliffe, the next match saw them do the impossible by taking an 8-7 lead as Day and our lowest handicapper Nursey were pipped 3&2 by Will Flint and John Wellington.
So as the early groups tucked into a hearty carvery lunch in the clubhouse, Appleton and Viner stalked the edges of the 18th green to watch Samuel and McIlgorm play the last with a slim one-hole advantage over Lisa Heywood and Nick Ratcliffe.
Again the sloping trickery of the 18th fairway proved decisive as both sides hit neatly played approaches to set-up a nervy finish. McIlgorm’s second just fell short of the green while Samuel hit the putting surface in two, leaving an 8-footer for birdie. Ratcliffe matched him, albeit with an uphill 18-footer for his birdie, but the closing stages saw his putt slide pass the hole and McIlgorm leaving himself with a short par putt.
Which left Samuel, whose birdie putt on the fast and slippery green tantalisingly kissed the edge of the cup before rolling on two feet.
After a brief moment with his head in his hands, Samuel reset to hole his fourth shot, win his match and level the fixture at 8-8. And to prove the golfing gods were watching, the sprinklers burst into action as Samuel’s ball dropped, giving the PGS the champagne finish their performance deserved.
Huge thanks go to Brian for hosting a great event and his team for a match played in a terrific spirit. A special mention should go to Evan, who was the only PGS player to notch up two points and was given a fetching hat for his efforts, and Caroline, who played brilliantly in her debut match for the PGS.
And finally also to last year’s match captain James Nursey, who over the two days of competition was the only player to hit the green with his tee shots on the difficult par 3 15th – 199 yards into the teeth of 35mph gusts and with a 100ft drop from tee to green. His two nearest the pin prizes were well deserved.
Nev Appleton
Northcliffe Golf Society V Press Golfing Society at Kington Golf Club, Herefordshire.
Day one result was NGS 2-6 PGS
Day two result was NGS 6-2 PGS
Match tied.
