Palairet 2022 - Vs Portmore

Sunday 5^th June saw RND’S Palairet Trophy team take on local rivals Portmore on the goat hills of Ilfracombe Golf Club. With the course in fine condition and greens running fast and true it made for a fine match. A fairly mild start to the day saw fairly heavy rain come in, with most matches soaked by the end of the game.

Both teams fielded strong pairings with good quality golf played and every match bar one went down to the last one or two holes.

Match Report as follows

1. Tanton and Tanton

The fielding together of two of Royal North Devon Golf Club’s most famous and skilful sons, unbelievably has never been done before.The match up made for a ruthless performance, with the pair demolishing their opponents 5 up and in the club house eating lunch a good hour and a half before the next game finished! As was expected Kiaran lasered every shot onto the green and Olly knocked the putt in from wherever it was on the green!!!

2. Flood and Lee

Match no. 2 saw two of RND’S winning Rosebowl team return to the fold. A scrappy start from both pairs over the first six holes saw the opponents just edging it on the balance of play and two up after six holes.  A gritty performance from the RND pair saw them fight back to just one down after 14 but they could not seem to gain on their opponents seemingly with handicap shots and long-bomb putts helping them at the right time. A lost ball on 15 sealed the fate of the RND pair and could not hold on any more beyond the 17^th losing 2 down.

3. Hampton and Sanders

Match no.3 saw a new pairing in Pat Sanders and Captain Chris Hampton. The match got off to a nervy start with both teams making mistakes and the match remained all square after the 7th hole. Matchplay can turn quick though and an errant shot or two, some missed putts and a sprinkling of bad luck saw the RND pair three down after the 11^th hole. The pair then rallied and good shot making on 12, 13 & 14 saw them bring the game back to one down after 14. 

 The turning point, however, was the 15^th hole when the opposition hit one from the right rough tight to the pin and won the hole and even a RND win on the 16^th was not enough when another iron shot on 17 from the opposition was in tight to the pin and the match was lost 2 down

4. Sturman and Loze

Match no.4 saw the very much anticipated pairing of Chris Sturman and Shaun Loze. Sturman and Loze are veteran players of the Mens County Inter Club competition and their experience and matchplay expertise showed through in this match. Having gone 2 down early in the game they doggedly fought back and were 1 up by the time they reached the 16^th tee. Again experience showed through and three holes halved later they had won their game 1 up.

5. Worthington and Fisher

Match no.5 saw reigning Victory Foursomes champions Worthington and Fisher making a return to the Men’s Squads and representing the Club at a competitive level.

Another very tight match started with both pairs making good shots and mistakes, but down to good putting from the opponents, the RND pair found themselves two down early. The match continued in a very close fashion with the RND pair valiantly bringing the match to one down, but a six under handicap performance from the opposition on the back nine was too big a hill to climb (not a lot unlike the course!) and the match was lost 2 down on the 17^th hole.

 All in all a very decent performance that could have gone either way was just pipped by our Opponents – good luck to them in the next round!.

Many thanks to Ilfracombe Golf Club for hosting us all and a special thank you for Geoff Wilford who came and supported us on the side of a mountain in the rain!!

Thank you to all the players who represented the club this year and don’t be down hearted we will try again next year!!