U18 MIDLAND BOYS LEAGUE FINAL 2022

For the first time in recorded history Worcestershire U18's became the Midland Boys 2022 League Champions after defeating Cambridgeshire in an incredibly close encounter at The Nottinghamshire G.C. on Sunday 25th September. Both counties, who had a wealth of talented players on show, having won their respective West and East Midland leagues were now in the end of season show-down.It was the last MGU U18 event of the calendar year to find the overall Midland League Champions.

Both Counties had practice rounds on the previous day so were relatively familiar with the course and were able to devise strategies on how to manage the course in a match-play format. Our strength over the season had been the morning foursomes matches so we hoped that trend would continue in this event as we started the days play at 8 am. Unfortunately, we got off to a shaky start and fell behind in the early stages in the majority of the 5 matches and entering the back 9 we were fighting just to stay in touch with only the pairing of Tom Lennon and Dan Wakeman (7&5) in control of their match. Our lead-off pair of James Ilsley and James Humphries, who have been outstanding all season, lost their match against a strong pairing 4&3, and it became vitally important the other pairings turn their games around as we were behind in many of them at the half way stage. But wins for Cassius Blake and Philip Krone ,who had a magnificent hole in one at the 14th (1up), and Mark Hewlett and Elliot Jones (3&1) meant that we were guaranteed a lead going into the singles.  In the final foursomes match, George Stephens and Ollie Smith had fought back to A/S playing the final hole and only a successful 30 ft birdie putt on the 18th green by Cambridgeshire prevented them from getting something out of the game. So, at the half way stage Worcestershire had established a 3-2 lead entering the all important afternoon singles.

Rather like the morning session, Cambridgeshire started quickly and gained the initiative in the early stages of the singles session and at the mid point of the afternoon the advantage was definitely with the opposition. Once again, after what appeared to be a frustrating period for the Worcestershire boys we started to apply pressure and gain momentum with several players who were behind after 9 holes now establishing leads entering the final stages of their games. 

The points were shared in the first 4 games following victories for Cassius Blake (2&1) and Philip Krone (5&4). When Mark Hewlett completed a 3&1 win we had a 6-4 overall lead needing only 2 more points for victory but we did not have the lead in any of the remaining 5 matches. Once again the final 6 holes proved to be a turning point in 2 of the games with George Stephens coming from behind to win on the 17th by 2&1 and therefore with only 1 match remaining on the course the overall score was 7-7. In a period of 6 holes, Elliot Jones had gone from 2 down to 1 up and a win on 16 put him 2 up with 2 to play. With the crowds gathering on the final holes the 2 players suspected that their match could determine the outcome of the event. After a solid par by Cambridgeshire on the 17th Worcestershire were still 1 up playing the last.

At this stage a tie was a distinct possibility so our Captain Philip Krone who was in excellent form, started to prepare for a potential sudden death play-off. The players in the final game marched up to the 18th green, which was a par 5, following two good approach shots. Elliot was in a green side bunker and his opponent was in the light rough just short of the green. A fine long bunker shot to 10 ft put pressure on the Cambridgeshire player who left his chip 4 ft short. A good lag putt from above the hole gave Elliot a par and it all came down to a 4 ft putt to take the contest into a sudden death play-off. With both teams, family members, officials and club members watching, it wasn't quite a 'Miracle at Medinah' moment - but almost. The final putt was struck nicely and touched the side of the hole but didn't drop. A Worcestershire victory was achieved on the final hole, in the final game following the final putt of the season. Wow! What an achievement from the boys. The win felt just reward for missing out in controversial circumstances earlier in the year in the Midland County 6's which prevented us from representing the Midlands in the national finals.

Although it felt like it came down to the final hole in this match, that of course is not the whole story. Fourteen players have represented the U18's Team during the league matches this season and have all contributed to this success. There are some outstanding talented junior golfers in the Worcestershire squad who all deserve praise for this fantastic achievement. The good news is that 9 of the 10 players who played in the final are available next season so perhaps they can achieve another first - to win the competition back-to-back and I wish them good luck in completing that achievement next year.

Our thanks go to the Nottinghamshire Golf Club for hosting the event, to Neil Harris from the MGU and to all the players, friends and family members for their invaluable support and to our tireless officials Kevin Fee and Mark Hewlett for their continued help.

Final Score Cambridgeshire 7     Worcestershire 8

Roger Martin

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