The weather dawns perfectly for today's final against Carmarthen. Blue sky and sunshine with wispy high clouds and with the dew still on the grass Turnhouse teed off at 08:30 from the first tee. The format is pairs today rather than the previous 3 days of 4 balls.
Mark is first to tee off against James and is giving him 9 shots over the course. Mark is 3 up after 4 holes when he arrives at the 5th green where he halfs the hole and remains up 3 even although he has given a shot away here.
Arriving at the 6th, it is interesting to see that the pin has been moved to the back of the green today, so although it's a tricky hole the aim is further away from the water. This hole caused many problems yesterday with numerous balls lots in the water when the players hit short of the green.
Mark's ball is closer to the hole whilst James is out on the fringe. A long putt takes Mark within a few feet of the pin. James is further away with his second shot and misses his 3rd by a whisker. Mark sinks his for a 3 to win the hole and go 4 up . Mark is at the 11th at 11:15 so play is much faster today. It's just as well as the clouds are rolling in over the the mountains and it's looking like more rain on the way. Mark is on the green with his opponent in the bunker. Mark has a long putt to a few feet of the hole whilst his opponent chips out and goes way past the hole and leaves Mark an easy putt to win and go 6 up with only 7 more holes to play. Mark wins the 13th with 5 holes to play but still has to keep going to 18 in case of a count back.
Jack is up next playing Scott and is giving away 10 shots, the highest number for any of the Turnhouse team. He is always going to be up against it in this match with so many shots to give away. Jack arrives at the 6th having already given away 3 of his shots but he's only 2 down after 5. Scott hits on to the green whilst Jack is out to the right on the fringe of the green and has a much longer putt. He leaves it short and Scott putts uphill and gets in closer. Jacks 3rd shot is around 7'and he's unfortunate to miss. Scott holes his for a 3 to win the hole and Jack goes 3 down. Jack has given 4 shots on the front 9 and his opponent is playing brilliantly.
On the 11th, probably the noisiest of the course as it is right next to a farmyard with crowing cockerels barking dogs and today a white horse is adding to the cacophony. However Jack is composed and still manages to half the hole and remain 4 down. On the 15th Jack is giving away another shot but is on the green in 2 and has a fairly good first putt. Scott is on the green in 3 and has 2 putts for the match. Even although Jack has a birdie he still loses 4 and 3. Still playing on on the 16th jack has a great long putt from the fringe. Scott runs past the hole and Jack putts and misses from 4'. Scott also misses but Jack loses as he gives another one of those shots here. A valiant effort in his last game as a junior. Well done Jack. The team will miss you but you will be going on to much success in the mens games this summer.
In the third game, Mikey is next to tee off against Iestyn who is a 10 handicapper so Mikey gives him 8 shots in this game. Not quite as many as Jack but still a very daunting task and Mikey is still smiling. Mikey is 1 up after the fist hole but overshoots the green leaving Iestyn to putt for a birdie. Back to all square after 2. He won the 4th to bring it back to all square after losing the 3rd.
At the 6th Mikey is still all square even after giving shots at 1, 3 and 5. Only 5 more to go. Two tough putts on the 6th for both players with Mikey marginally closer. Iestyn has to putt first and his shot runs past to leave a 4'. Mikeys putt almost goes in and it's close enough to be a gimme. Mikey takes the hole when Iestyn misses for a 4. Then they are off to the 7th where Mikey is giving Iestyn another shot. On the 9th Mikey lands his second shot to a few inches of the hole and almost gets an eagle. But his 3 is enough to win and go 2 up. On the 11th, Mikey has a second shot into the bunker then 2 putts while his opponent sinks his 3rd and Mikey loses the hole. He is still 1 up going on to the 12th and still has 3 shots to give Iestyn who is playing really well.
On the 15th Mikey loses and is now 1 down. Iestyn has a cracking shot close to the pin and an easy putt to win the hole. He is certainly not going to be phased by playing someone as good as Mikey. On the 16th Mikey has a cracking shot off the tee that sees him land 8' from the pin. Iestyn hits the bunker on the right. This is the hole where Mikey gives away his last shot. Iestyn chips out of the bunker almost to the fringe of the green on the opposite side. Mikey has a chance of a birdie here. Iestyn has a long putt and once again overshoots but only by 4'. Mikey misses his putt and Iestyn putts for a half and gets it. Mikey is still 1 down with 2 to play. He finishes square on the 18th, very unlucky not to get the win.
Playing at number 4 today, Craig tees off again against Jac who has a handicap of 12 so he is giving 6 shots away. He wins the 1st but loses on the 2nd and halfs the 3rd. A win on the 4th sees him 1 up and the seesaw continues on the 5th where he loses and his partner hits the green whilst Craig hits his 1st shot into the water. His second just makes the green but then goes rolling back towards the water and settled in the gully. He picks up as his partner hits a 3rd shot to skim the hole and Craig loses the 6th to go 1 down. Jac hits off to the left and hits a tree on the 7th.
Jac's drive on the 11th goes right and he has to chip over the trees to the back of the green. Craig meantime is in the bunker and he chips out on the green. Jac misses his putt that would mean a half and craig holds his nerve to putt for the win. 1 up and the Team game is really close after the 10th with 3 games up, 2 games down and 1 square. Still all to play for even although there are a number of shots still to be given away. Down at the 13th Craig doesn't look too happy with his shot but he is on the green. Great effort on his putt leave his opponent 2 putts for a win. He overshoots on the first then misses the second. Craig is giving 1 shot away on this hole and his opponent has 2 putts for a win. Back to all square.
On the 15th, Craig is on the green in 2 with no more shots to give. Jac has a penalty drop and is on the green in 4. Craig puts it past the hole from about 3' but still wins the hole to go back to all square. On the 16th Craig is just short of the green and Jac makes the green out on the left, but still a long way from the pin. Craig hits up and lands ahead of the hole by about 15 feet. Jac is further away but has a wonderful putt close to the hole. Craig misses his putt and goes 1 down with 2 to play. Jac is in trouble and on the path on the 18th. His shot hits the bank and dribbles back down. Craig is also off to the right and hits off the bank too. Very nervy stuff. With both players now on the 18th green, with a bit of a crowd, Jac holes his putt and Craig loses the game 1 down.
Playing at number 5 today is Matthew who burnt up the fairways yesterday with a convincing win in his first team game this week. Today he plays Keiran and is giving him 5 shots so he has a real challenge on his hands. On the 5th a great shot from the fairway sees Matthew about close to the pin. Keiran hits out of the hazard to the right of the green on the 5th and has now played 6 shots. He misses his putt to give Matthew the win taking him back to all square after 5 holes.
On to the 6th and Matthew is on the green. However, his opponent is too and his ball rolls back away from the pin leaving Matthew with an closer shot. His putt runs away past on the other side of the hole. His 3rd shot skims the cup. Keiran s putt is slightly uphill but he also misses. Keiran holes his putt to win the hole and go 1 up on Matthew after 6 holes.
On the 7th Matthew's ball lands on the green and then rolls back towards the water. This has been a feature of this hole this week with many a good shot to the pin drawing groans from the crowd as the ball simply rolls away. Matthew loses to go 2 down. However the fight back continues tho so by the time he gets to the 11th he is back to 1 up having triumphed on the 10th.
Matthew hits a lovely putt on the 11th and Keiran replies with a 8 ' of his own to win the hole. Back to all square. Its a fascinating game to watch and the players are evenly matched even with the shots given.
Matthew then goes on to half the 12th, and gets the green on the 13th where he gives his opponent his last shot. His opponent has an awful lie and chips up to reach the green but his ball catches the slope and runs off the other side. Matthew misses his putt and so does Keiran. Matthew wins the hole despite the shot. from here on in its a level playing field. Matthew then wins 3 holes in a row and is 3 up after the 15th.
Matthew is first off the 16th tee and goes to the left fringe of the green. Keiran tops his ball and goes back to find it. His second shot goes right into the trees. He's in the hazard so gets to drop a ball so that's him played 4 on to the green. Matthew's second shot rolls off to the right and he will have 2 putts from there to win. Keiran narrowly misses his putt. Matthew too but still wins the hole and the game 4 and 2.
Giving the least amount of shots is Ben, playing in the 6th game, who plays off 9 so he is closer to his opponent Sam who plays off 12. So only 3 shots given away by Ben today but still tough for him as he had a shoulder injury earlier in the week.
He's having a close game in his first team game of the week, and is still all square when they finish the 5th. His shot to the 6th lands 5' and then runs back to 15' of the hole whilst Sam although he also hits the green it is on the fringe of the green near the water. His putt is brilliant however and takes him to a few feet of the hole. Ben is further away and putts to get his 3 to continue the all square scoreline. Ben holds on to be just 1 down after 9 holes. He loses the 10th and arrives at the 11th 2 down. It's still all to play for and after 10 holes he has given all his shots away.
He wins the 12th and approaches the 13th only 1 shot down with no more shots to give. Bens shot hits the green but rolls back and Sam gets the green but still with a long putt though. Ben putts uphill and it's short. Sam gets closer and Ben misses his next by a margin and loses the hole.
Sam is in the bunker on the 16th whilst Ben hits into the trees. The ball is found and looks unplayable so he takes a drop and gets up to the green leaving a long putt. Sam chips out of the bunker and overshoots the green to the rough on the far side. His chip on to the green leaves a long putt. Ben asks for the pin out and lines up to take his putt and he gets to within 2 feet. Sam 2 putts and Ben loses the hole and his match 3 and 2.
So, Turnhouse's campaign ends with a 4th place in the tournament as they finish with a 3 1/2 21/2 loss to Camarthen. It has been a great week of very intense competition over a long and arduous course.
The first and second play off was won by Galway 4 - 2 against Rochford 100 who have bettered their 4th place from last year. The other Irish team Carton House finished 5th against Huyton & Prescott whilst the Scottish champions, Gullane came 7th playing against Maesteg from Wales.
It has been a great experience for all the players and we are looking forward to coming back next year!
Mark is first to tee off against James and is giving him 9 shots over the course. Mark is 3 up after 4 holes when he arrives at the 5th green where he halfs the hole and remains up 3 even although he has given a shot away here.
Arriving at the 6th, it is interesting to see that the pin has been moved to the back of the green today, so although it's a tricky hole the aim is further away from the water. This hole caused many problems yesterday with numerous balls lots in the water when the players hit short of the green.
Mark's ball is closer to the hole whilst James is out on the fringe. A long putt takes Mark within a few feet of the pin. James is further away with his second shot and misses his 3rd by a whisker. Mark sinks his for a 3 to win the hole and go 4 up . Mark is at the 11th at 11:15 so play is much faster today. It's just as well as the clouds are rolling in over the the mountains and it's looking like more rain on the way. Mark is on the green with his opponent in the bunker. Mark has a long putt to a few feet of the hole whilst his opponent chips out and goes way past the hole and leaves Mark an easy putt to win and go 6 up with only 7 more holes to play. Mark wins the 13th with 5 holes to play but still has to keep going to 18 in case of a count back.
Jack is up next playing Scott and is giving away 10 shots, the highest number for any of the Turnhouse team. He is always going to be up against it in this match with so many shots to give away. Jack arrives at the 6th having already given away 3 of his shots but he's only 2 down after 5. Scott hits on to the green whilst Jack is out to the right on the fringe of the green and has a much longer putt. He leaves it short and Scott putts uphill and gets in closer. Jacks 3rd shot is around 7'and he's unfortunate to miss. Scott holes his for a 3 to win the hole and Jack goes 3 down. Jack has given 4 shots on the front 9 and his opponent is playing brilliantly.
On the 11th, probably the noisiest of the course as it is right next to a farmyard with crowing cockerels barking dogs and today a white horse is adding to the cacophony. However Jack is composed and still manages to half the hole and remain 4 down. On the 15th Jack is giving away another shot but is on the green in 2 and has a fairly good first putt. Scott is on the green in 3 and has 2 putts for the match. Even although Jack has a birdie he still loses 4 and 3. Still playing on on the 16th jack has a great long putt from the fringe. Scott runs past the hole and Jack putts and misses from 4'. Scott also misses but Jack loses as he gives another one of those shots here. A valiant effort in his last game as a junior. Well done Jack. The team will miss you but you will be going on to much success in the mens games this summer.
In the third game, Mikey is next to tee off against Iestyn who is a 10 handicapper so Mikey gives him 8 shots in this game. Not quite as many as Jack but still a very daunting task and Mikey is still smiling. Mikey is 1 up after the fist hole but overshoots the green leaving Iestyn to putt for a birdie. Back to all square after 2. He won the 4th to bring it back to all square after losing the 3rd.
At the 6th Mikey is still all square even after giving shots at 1, 3 and 5. Only 5 more to go. Two tough putts on the 6th for both players with Mikey marginally closer. Iestyn has to putt first and his shot runs past to leave a 4'. Mikeys putt almost goes in and it's close enough to be a gimme. Mikey takes the hole when Iestyn misses for a 4. Then they are off to the 7th where Mikey is giving Iestyn another shot. On the 9th Mikey lands his second shot to a few inches of the hole and almost gets an eagle. But his 3 is enough to win and go 2 up. On the 11th, Mikey has a second shot into the bunker then 2 putts while his opponent sinks his 3rd and Mikey loses the hole. He is still 1 up going on to the 12th and still has 3 shots to give Iestyn who is playing really well.
On the 15th Mikey loses and is now 1 down. Iestyn has a cracking shot close to the pin and an easy putt to win the hole. He is certainly not going to be phased by playing someone as good as Mikey. On the 16th Mikey has a cracking shot off the tee that sees him land 8' from the pin. Iestyn hits the bunker on the right. This is the hole where Mikey gives away his last shot. Iestyn chips out of the bunker almost to the fringe of the green on the opposite side. Mikey has a chance of a birdie here. Iestyn has a long putt and once again overshoots but only by 4'. Mikey misses his putt and Iestyn putts for a half and gets it. Mikey is still 1 down with 2 to play. He finishes square on the 18th, very unlucky not to get the win.
Playing at number 4 today, Craig tees off again against Jac who has a handicap of 12 so he is giving 6 shots away. He wins the 1st but loses on the 2nd and halfs the 3rd. A win on the 4th sees him 1 up and the seesaw continues on the 5th where he loses and his partner hits the green whilst Craig hits his 1st shot into the water. His second just makes the green but then goes rolling back towards the water and settled in the gully. He picks up as his partner hits a 3rd shot to skim the hole and Craig loses the 6th to go 1 down. Jac hits off to the left and hits a tree on the 7th.
Jac's drive on the 11th goes right and he has to chip over the trees to the back of the green. Craig meantime is in the bunker and he chips out on the green. Jac misses his putt that would mean a half and craig holds his nerve to putt for the win. 1 up and the Team game is really close after the 10th with 3 games up, 2 games down and 1 square. Still all to play for even although there are a number of shots still to be given away. Down at the 13th Craig doesn't look too happy with his shot but he is on the green. Great effort on his putt leave his opponent 2 putts for a win. He overshoots on the first then misses the second. Craig is giving 1 shot away on this hole and his opponent has 2 putts for a win. Back to all square.
On the 15th, Craig is on the green in 2 with no more shots to give. Jac has a penalty drop and is on the green in 4. Craig puts it past the hole from about 3' but still wins the hole to go back to all square. On the 16th Craig is just short of the green and Jac makes the green out on the left, but still a long way from the pin. Craig hits up and lands ahead of the hole by about 15 feet. Jac is further away but has a wonderful putt close to the hole. Craig misses his putt and goes 1 down with 2 to play. Jac is in trouble and on the path on the 18th. His shot hits the bank and dribbles back down. Craig is also off to the right and hits off the bank too. Very nervy stuff. With both players now on the 18th green, with a bit of a crowd, Jac holes his putt and Craig loses the game 1 down.
Playing at number 5 today is Matthew who burnt up the fairways yesterday with a convincing win in his first team game this week. Today he plays Keiran and is giving him 5 shots so he has a real challenge on his hands. On the 5th a great shot from the fairway sees Matthew about close to the pin. Keiran hits out of the hazard to the right of the green on the 5th and has now played 6 shots. He misses his putt to give Matthew the win taking him back to all square after 5 holes.
On to the 6th and Matthew is on the green. However, his opponent is too and his ball rolls back away from the pin leaving Matthew with an closer shot. His putt runs away past on the other side of the hole. His 3rd shot skims the cup. Keiran s putt is slightly uphill but he also misses. Keiran holes his putt to win the hole and go 1 up on Matthew after 6 holes.
On the 7th Matthew's ball lands on the green and then rolls back towards the water. This has been a feature of this hole this week with many a good shot to the pin drawing groans from the crowd as the ball simply rolls away. Matthew loses to go 2 down. However the fight back continues tho so by the time he gets to the 11th he is back to 1 up having triumphed on the 10th.
Matthew hits a lovely putt on the 11th and Keiran replies with a 8 ' of his own to win the hole. Back to all square. Its a fascinating game to watch and the players are evenly matched even with the shots given.
Matthew then goes on to half the 12th, and gets the green on the 13th where he gives his opponent his last shot. His opponent has an awful lie and chips up to reach the green but his ball catches the slope and runs off the other side. Matthew misses his putt and so does Keiran. Matthew wins the hole despite the shot. from here on in its a level playing field. Matthew then wins 3 holes in a row and is 3 up after the 15th.
Matthew is first off the 16th tee and goes to the left fringe of the green. Keiran tops his ball and goes back to find it. His second shot goes right into the trees. He's in the hazard so gets to drop a ball so that's him played 4 on to the green. Matthew's second shot rolls off to the right and he will have 2 putts from there to win. Keiran narrowly misses his putt. Matthew too but still wins the hole and the game 4 and 2.
Giving the least amount of shots is Ben, playing in the 6th game, who plays off 9 so he is closer to his opponent Sam who plays off 12. So only 3 shots given away by Ben today but still tough for him as he had a shoulder injury earlier in the week.
He's having a close game in his first team game of the week, and is still all square when they finish the 5th. His shot to the 6th lands 5' and then runs back to 15' of the hole whilst Sam although he also hits the green it is on the fringe of the green near the water. His putt is brilliant however and takes him to a few feet of the hole. Ben is further away and putts to get his 3 to continue the all square scoreline. Ben holds on to be just 1 down after 9 holes. He loses the 10th and arrives at the 11th 2 down. It's still all to play for and after 10 holes he has given all his shots away.
He wins the 12th and approaches the 13th only 1 shot down with no more shots to give. Bens shot hits the green but rolls back and Sam gets the green but still with a long putt though. Ben putts uphill and it's short. Sam gets closer and Ben misses his next by a margin and loses the hole.
Sam is in the bunker on the 16th whilst Ben hits into the trees. The ball is found and looks unplayable so he takes a drop and gets up to the green leaving a long putt. Sam chips out of the bunker and overshoots the green to the rough on the far side. His chip on to the green leaves a long putt. Ben asks for the pin out and lines up to take his putt and he gets to within 2 feet. Sam 2 putts and Ben loses the hole and his match 3 and 2.
So, Turnhouse's campaign ends with a 4th place in the tournament as they finish with a 3 1/2 21/2 loss to Camarthen. It has been a great week of very intense competition over a long and arduous course.
The first and second play off was won by Galway 4 - 2 against Rochford 100 who have bettered their 4th place from last year. The other Irish team Carton House finished 5th against Huyton & Prescott whilst the Scottish champions, Gullane came 7th playing against Maesteg from Wales.
It has been a great experience for all the players and we are looking forward to coming back next year!