The final match of the 2018 season took place at St. Ives Golf Club for a match against Cambridgeshire. The Northants team were very similar to the last match with one only change, Callum Farr coming in for the unavailable Fraser
The match was played on another fantastic day for golf, totally clear skies all day, warm sunshine from early on and only light breezes. For the second consecutive season, the Northants team had a chance of Anglian league victory, however this year, unlike 2017, the situation was not 100% in our hands. Leicestershire would collect the title with either a draw or win, playing against Suffolk in Stowmarket. We had to win and then keep our fingers crossed – the team had talked a lot about just concentrating on our jobs and the parts we could control.
Morning Foursomes
The foursomes
Mikey and Michael quickly took control of their match against Cambs captain Ed DiMambro and home member Kevin Taylor, 4 up through 6. Callum and Lee were all
At the next suitable point of the golf course (12th
Mikey and Michael would go on to win their match on 17, thanks largely to the excellent golf played in the early part. Lee and Callum would shake hands on the same hole with a 3&1 victory. At this point
Not long after Miles and Liam made their way down 18, also with a 1 up lead, when the Cambridgeshire lay up finished in the pond to the left of the fairway the match ended with a 2up victory and a 4-0
Northamptonshire 4 Cambridgeshire 0
News filtered through at lunchtime that Leicestershire
Afternoon Singles
So the singles orders were prepared, with Northants Captain using the same order from the August matches, Callum Farr replacing Fraser in the potentially crucial number 6 role. So Salter again
Despite this early wobble, we remained convinced the team would pull the match through and we knew this set of players would be giving it 100%.
Once all players had moved through the 7th hole, we moved to the back of the 11th green to catch up, Mikey was 4 up by this time and Michael 6up…however these were the only 2 matches with a lead. Charlie would win the 13th hole to take an advantage for the first time – while Lee and Luis were both 4 down after 11. Callum was all square, with Miles 1 down and Liam 3 down.
By this time Mikey had won his match 6&4 and Micheal 7&5 – we know had 6 points, just half a point to find….Charlie playing 17 was all square, but thanks to a perfect drive and well measured 2nd shot, Charlie would have 2 putts to win the hole and secure the match result – 2 putts later and Charlie moved to the 18th with a lead. He would win the 18th hole too and shake hands on a 2up,
Lee had lost his match on the 15th green, Luis lost one hole later, having left himself to much work to do from the early holes. Liam also lost his match on the 15th.
Callum reached he 17th tee with a 1up lead and put pressure on his opponent with the best drive of the day on 17, his young opponent would not match Callum’s quality and a wide drive would lead to a lost ball and eventually lost hole – allowing Callum to shake hands on a 2&1 victory.
This left just Miles on the course – by this time news had come through from Suffolk that Leicestershire had been beaten in Suffolk – that meant that the Anglian League title for 2018 belonged to Northamptonshire, for only the 4th time in 48 years!! This news was given to Miles while playing the 17th – Miles has given everything to county golf for at least the last 6 years – clearly giving him a boost, Miles would win the 17th hole to get back to all square. A half down the last would be the least Miles deserved and that’s what happened – leaving the overall match result 8.5-3.5. By this time
Singles Northamptonshire 4.5 Cambridgeshire 3.5
Match Result: Northamptonshire 8.5 Cambridgeshire 3.5
Winning the Anglian League is a fine achievement and one that our county has not managed enough in the past – but this crop of players, many of who have filtered through from the successes of Adam Myers’ Boys teams, have been fantastic over the past 2 seasons. The core of players has been relatively small, but they have taken their opportunities to win and maintain their places and all built on that, improved as individuals and are a superb team!
As Captain, I could not be prouder of them, could not have enjoyed more, being their captain and I am very grateful for the commitment they have given to the county, Mike and I.
Quite obviously County golf is not
While the achievement of this team will live in my memory, right alongside being a playing member of the successful 2011 team, it would be hugely remiss if a few individuals were not mentioned:
Shane Rose has been an
Adam Myers for his years of effort at Junior level and allowing the
Mike Gilbrook – it’s difficult to describe what Mike does as Team Manager, but I can assure you there’s a load of different things catered for to ensure the players and Captain can concentrate solely on the playing element of county golf. Not to mention that he is 100% the most passionate man about the success of Northamptonshire County golf. Mike’s role is one that would be extremely difficult to replace…
And finally to my players – if any of them are reading this far down – you’ve all been amazing and I am grateful for your commitment to us and the county team, but also the fun we’ve had along the way – all great memories,
Graham Bott
Northamptonshire 1st team Captain