First Gloucestershire and Somerset win over Devon
20/04/2015
The PGA in Gloucestershire and Somerset made history by beating The PGA in Devon for the first time in a close match at Chipping Sodbury.
It was also the first home clash as the previous meetings have been in Devon, the last in 2009 at Royal North Devon.
There was little to separate the two ten-man teams playing five morning foursomes matches followed by ten afternoon singles.
Although the home side won the first and last foursomes in the morning, Devon won the middle three to take a 3-2 interval lead on a chilly, breezy day that was perfect for golf over the Beaufort course that proves a stern test of golf with many lakes and ditches.
The 18th hole proved a major factor in the singles with water facing tee-shots and out of bounds running the length of the left hand side constant hazards. And two trips past the white stakes by Devon players helped the Nick Ellis-led home team win the opening three games.
Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) won the top game in the battle of Order of Merit winners against Paul Hendriksen (Dinnaton). Clevedon assistant Ashley Mansell completed an impressive double by beating Kevin Harper (Sidmouth) at the last.
Paul’s brother Dan, the Torquay secretary, gained a half with Ed Goodwin (Cirencester). But he made the shot of the day as he aced the par-three sixth hole for his eighth hole-in-one.
The Devon middle fought back though with the Darryl Kelley (Filton)/Andy Place (Staddon Heights) and Nick Ellis (Naunton Downs)/Richard Woods (Dainton Park) matches being halved between wins for Nicky Maddison (Saunton) and Jason Fullard (Teignmouth). Fullard’s final-hole win against Andrew March (Brean) was the final Devon success.
Gloucestershire and Somerset, resplendent in their new Total Triumph-sponsored sweaters, claimed the final three games. David Dixon (Enmore Park) accounted for Christian Vine (Woodbury Park) on the 16th before David Haines (Burnham and Berrow) defeated Harry Mayers (Torquay) on the 17th.
Home secretary and former Devon stalwart Robin Goodey also won on the 17th against Neil Holman (Torbay Golf Centre) to clinch the 8.5–6.5 victory.
