1st team v Suffolk

First things first: a huge thank you to Kingsthorpe Golf Club. They bailed the county out of trouble this year when we found ourselves short of two venues very close to the start of the season. Without their generosity, we might have been quite literally homeless. To not only step in once, but twice, speaks volumes about the spirit of the club. Add to that a course in fine condition and a welcome as warm as ever, and it’s safe to say Northamptonshire golf owes them a debt of gratitude.

It was a sunny but blustery day...classic Kingsthorpe. If there’s ever a place where home advantage should count double, it’s here. And this time, it did.

Morning Foursomes

Jensen Parfitt & Torin Little beat Jack Cardy & Harry Brinded 2&1

The Northants pair took the first hole courtesy of a nervy four-putt from their opponents, only to immediately lose the next four in succession. But quality rises, and slowly but surely Jensen and Torin reeled them back in. From 1 down through 13, they rattled off wins at 14, 15 and 16. On 17, Jensen’s wedge was, let’s say, not his finest, leaving Torin a horrid pitch. He clipped it to 10 feet. Jensen holed it. Of course he did. Inevitable.

Max Faulkner & Jordan Darnell beat Ben Sayers & Callum Pearce 3&2

I’m starting to think Kingsthorpe might be Jordan’s favourite course—mainly because he gets to use his favourite club, “the spoon”, at almost every opportunity. The pair were always in front, despite Max’s putter being only warm rather than white-hot. A comfortable win in the end. 2–0.

Jack Brown & Ryan Genner lost 1 down to Jimmy Price & Taylor Crisp

Jack and Ryan have played more golf together than most, and it showed. There were moments of short-game brilliance, and the shot of the day from Ryan—a blind hook from next to the 3rd green to 10 feet on 17. Jack holed it, obviously. All square heading to the last, but Suffolk stiffed it and we didn’t. 1 down. Bugger.

Jon Harris & Jamie Milligan beat Josh Robertson & Alex Mair 1 up

Jon and Jamie started fast and kept their noses in front. Kingsthorpe’s 18th can bring chaos, but Jamie’s soft cut down the fairway (that somehow still went 324 yards) left Jon a simple wedge. From there, it was safely done. A 1 up win, and a 3–1 lead at lunch. Happy days.

Afternoon Singles

Torin Little lost 4&3 to Jack Cardy

Torin wasn’t in the sunniest mood starting out, though still managed to win the 1st. The scoreline was harsh, but when your opponent gets on a birdie run at Kingsthorpe, it can feel like the walls are closing in. Tough at the top of the order.

Max Faulkner lost 4&3 to Ben Sayers

Level through 8, then Sayers caught fire, birdieing four of the next seven. Max’s putter was simmering rather than blazing, and against that, it was too much. Another cruel scoreline that doesn’t tell the whole story. Suddenly it was 3–3, and the Captain was starting to sweat.

Jensen Parfitt beat Harry Brinded 3&2

Jensen was ahead all the way round and became my favourite bit of news all afternoon. At one point I even told the team manager not to radio in unless it was good news. Naturally, he ignored me and said Jensen was only 1 up through 15. More uh-ohs. But Jensen is Jensen. He won 15 and 16 with ease, and that was that. Inevitable.

Jordan Darnell beat Taylor Crisp 3&2

Jordan kept his spoon in play, even using it to knock it to 10 feet on the long par 3 13th. Like Jensen, he closed it out in style with wins on 15 and 16. Lovely stuff.

5-3... breathing space

Jack Brown beat Callum Pearce 2&1

Happiness as a Captain is seeing Jack Brown with a wedge at Kingsthorpe. Behind early, he battled back, holing clutch putts at 15 and 16 before repeating his morning trick on 17; same spot, same result. Holed it, because he’s Jack Brown.

Jamie Milligan halved with Jimmy Price

Jamie found himself 2 down with 2 to play, insisting he’d lost his swing in the wind. My advice? You can still drive it, you can still putt, so just get on with it. He did. Rock-solid par at 17, then a 314-yard tee shot at the last (wind-adjusted from his 324 in the morning) left a wedge to 10 feet. 2 putts were all that were required and Jamie is the king of lagging. A half and a great finish.

Jon Harris beat Josh Robertson 2&1

Jon was a big part of the script. He was steady, clinical, and his win delivered the point that got us over the line. Jon was ahead all the way round and is currently in the best form of his life. He told us he is hitting the gym this winter and I am sure he will come back next year even better

Ryan Genner lost to Alex Mair 2&1

Ryan’s last game for Northamptonshire. The script had been written for him to clinch the winning point. Sadly, sport doesn’t always do scripts. He battled, but lost on 17, his final shot for us finding out of bounds. A tough end for a great servant.

Final score: Northamptonshire 7.5 – Suffolk 4.5

Notable Performances

Maximum points: Jensen Parfitt, Jordan Darnell, Jon Harris
Undefeated: Jamie Milligan
Player of the Match: Jensen Parfitt – forming a formidable partnership with Torin in the morning, then delivering a calm, inevitable singles win. Heroic, composed and absolutely the heartbeat of our side.

Tributes

Catherine Tildesley

This match was also significant in another way, as it marked the last occasion our President, Catherine Tildesley, joined the first team in her official capacity. To describe Catherine simply as our President doesn’t do her justice. She has been a constant source of kindness, generosity and encouragement to every single player who has pulled on the county shirt during her time. Her presence has lifted the atmosphere wherever she has gone, not just through her leadership, but through the way she treats every individual with genuine warmth and respect.

On a personal level, Catherine’s influence on me has been profound. Her support and friendship have made this season one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in golf. She has become one of the people I value most, not only within the game, but in my life away from it too. For all she has done; for the players, for the county, and for me personally, we owe her a huge debt of gratitude. Catherine, you will always be a part of this team, and a part of us.

Ryan Genner

We also said farewell to one of Northamptonshire’s stalwarts: Ryan Genner. His contribution to county golf over the years has been immense, and his move to Leicestershire will leave a gap that will not be easy to fill.

Ryan has done just about everything you could ask of a county player. He has been a mainstay of the first team, captained both the second and first teams, and even served at board level as teams director. He has also been the driving force behind the Winter Order of Merit, a competition that has become central to our county calendar and has given countless players opportunities to sharpen their games in the off-season. And, of course, he has his name on the biggest prize of all, the County Championship, a fitting reward for his dedication and talent.

What has always set Ryan apart, though, is not just his list of achievements but the way he has carried himself. He has been fiercely competitive, utterly dependable and completely committed to the badge on his chest. He has given his time, his energy and his heart to Northamptonshire golf.

Ryan leaves behind a legacy that is both deep and lasting. He has shaped the present and the future of county golf here, and those of us who have played alongside him know how lucky

we have been to have him as a teammate. We wish him every success in the next chapter, and we will always be proud to call him one of ours.

Reflections on the Season

This season has been full of nearly moments. We’ve been edged out in tight matches, had one or two results slip away at the last, but we’ve also produced some brilliant golf that shows just how much potential there is in this squad. The raw ingredients are here, the foundations are in place, but we know there’s still work to do.

What’s clear is that success won’t come from talent alone. We can’t just rely on a handful of players to carry us; we have to grow stronger as a group, keep building that resilience and belief, and buy into what we’re trying to do together. That’s the only way we’ll move from “nearly” to “there.”

Other counties might have more in terms of coaching structures or even just the polish of turning up looking like a unit. We don’t, not yet. What we do have is heart, determination, and players who are prepared to graft for the badge. It’s not always the easy way, but it makes me proud to captain a group who keep fronting up regardless.

For me, this year has carried extra significance, as I’ve been the first permanent captain since the loss of our beloved Gary Hardy. Gary wasn’t just a captain, he was the heartbeat of this team. His absence is still felt by all of us, but his influence is everywhere. He showed us that county golf is never about individuals, it’s about the team, about being more than the sum of our parts, and about looking out for each other.

If we stand together, keep believing, and keep building, the results will come. And when they do, it will be the perfect way to honour Gary’s memory: not just with words, but by becoming the united, resilient team he always believed we could be.

Chris White
First Team Captain