1st team v Warwickshire friendly 

A Grand Slam and a Grand Day at Whittlebury

Golfing history was made yesterday on both sides of the Atlantic. At Augusta National, Rory McIlroy joined the elite as only the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, and the first in 25 years to do so. Closer to home, Whittlebury Park was the scene of its own slice of history and not just because Northamptonshire edged Warwickshire 7–5 in a fiercely contested annual friendly.

In an extraordinary morning of foursomes, the golfing gods smiled on both counties. Warwickshire stalwart, and current county president, Stu Bloxham made a hole-in-one on the 8th hole, a rare feat at any level, made even more remarkable in the format. But the theatre didn’t stop there. Just five holes later, Jensen Parfitt and debutant Sam Bird delivered an albatross, the rarest of golfing birds, in what may be an unprecedented occurrence in foursomes golf.

Morning Foursomes: 2-2

George Castle & Torin Little lost 4&2 to Rob Bardsley and Harrison Long

The scoreline does no justice to the contest. Torin was striping it off the tee, giving the Northants pair great opportunities throughout. The defining moment came on what turned out to be the final hole of their match, both teams landed the green off the tee, both took a bounce right. Warwickshire skipped just clear of trouble; Northants found what must be the narrowest ditch in golf. That summed up the margins in this one. Torin and George deserved better, but golf doesn’t always pay fairly.

Owen Watts & Taylor Sargeant lost 2 down to Stu Bloxham and Tom Ibbertson

Owen made his return to county golf, pairing with the ever-reliable Taylor. But when your opponents make a hole-in-one on the 8th, like Stu Bloxham did, you’re up against it. That moment ultimately proved the difference. The match played out as a bit of a short game battle, and at times, a short game struggle. Needing to attack the last, the Northants pair went long and the game slipped away. A gritty effort all round, and a baptism of fire for Owen’s return.

Jensen Parfitt & Sam Bird won 1up against Jacob Parsons and Freddie Montgomery

This one had fireworks. Having trailed earlier in the match, Northants flipped the script with an albatross on a par five, courtesy of Jensen and Sam, a golfing unicorn if ever there was one. The match stayed tight, but when Sam’s eagle chip on 17 lipped out, the momentum was theirs. The pair held their nerve up the last to earn a brilliant point. For Sam, a dream debut. For Jensen, just another chapter in a career already full of clutch moments.

Jack Brown & Ryan Genner won 1up against James Charlton and Shaun Young

With four County Championship titles between them, Jack and Ryan were always going to be a formidable duo and they didn’t disappoint. Their margin of victory was slim, but the golf they played was anything but. They delivered a putting clinic and seemed to be wielding wands rather than putters. A dynamic pairing that looked rock solid from the first tee to the final putt, and a point well earned.

Afternoon Singles: Northants Take Control

Torin Little halved with Harrison Long in a match of the highest quality, with both players

posting betterball scores in the low 60s. It was a superb effort from Torin and a fair result.

Jensen Parfitt defeated Tom Ibbertson 3&2, in the most predictable of outcomes. Calm, composed, and clinical, Jensen never looked like losing. A truly mercurial talent, he swept all before him with the ease of a player destined for even higher honours.

George Castle scrapped his way to a gutsy half point against hole-in-one hero Stu Bloxham. Three down through 11, George rallied hard and nearly stole the win, leaving his birdie putt on the 18th just a whisker short. A gritty, captain’s dream performance.

Owen Watts fell 6&5 to Rob Bardsley. Back in the side and playing well in the morning, this was a reminder of the fine margins in top-level golf. Owen’s return is hugely welcome and this match will fuel him for the season ahead.

Ryan Genner picked up a 2&1 win over Jacob Parsons, showcasing incredible consistency off the tee. Even when the follow-through said “trouble,” the ball never did. A maximum return and a big statement from one of the most dependable players in the county.

Sam Bird, making his 1st Team debut, faced a tough task in Freddie Montgomery. Despite falling behind early, Sam kept his head up and showed real promise. Freddie never let him back in, but Sam will bounce back — the foundations are clearly there.

Jack Brown beat James Charlton 4&3 in a match where his short game bordered on the supernatural. Not his most polished ball-striking day, but class is permanent, and Jack made sure he walked away with maximum points. He even gave his opponent a mid-match putting lesson... confidence or kindness? Either way, it worked.

With the score at 6–5 to Northamptonshire, Taylor Sargeant delivered the winning blow with a confident 5&3 win over Shaun Young. Taylor clawed back an early deficit and then dominated from tee to green. His opponent, four down late on, added a surreal moment by playing to the wrong green, a detail that somehow summed up Taylor’s control.

Maximum Points: Jack Brown, Jensen Parfitt and Ryan Genner
Player of the match: Jensen Parfitt – A maestro, unflappable under pressure and blessed with a game as elegant as it is effective. Two wins, an albatross, and an aura that makes it all look easy.

My first outing as captain couldn’t have gone better — a great team win, special moments galore, and a sense that we’re building something strong. The camaraderie, the spirit, and the standard were all first class. Thank you to the entire team for welcoming me back into the fold.

A huge thank you also to Whittlebury Park for their fantastic hospitality and to Ben Hawkins (2nd Team Captain) and Graham Bott (Teams Director) for their support on the day.

Here’s to the season ahead — the journey has begun.

Chris White
1st Team Captain