|
|
|
|
|
MTGS vs FMI Match at Beaconsfield GC on Tuesday, August 5th 2025
Match Report
On what started out as a less than seasonal August morning, with cloudy skies and a brisk breeze, but which improved in the afternoon, twelve members of MTGS and their opposite numbers from the FMI assembled at Beaconsfield Golf Club, for what has become the annual joust for the splendid cut glass trophy. Prior to the match there were a couple of late withdrawals due to injury and circumstances and I’m grateful to Martin Derrick and John Smith for not only coming off the subs bench, but making a significant contribution to the outcome of the match.
With coffee, tea and generous bacon rolls consumed, the competitors of Match 1; the FMI’s Match Manager, Ray Sommerville and Len Curran and MTGS President, Joff Suter and yours truly, made their way to the first tee. MTGS lost the toss, however this was the only part of the game which was conceded, thanks to the imperious form of President Joff who shot a gross 82 which included 3 birdies and a near eagle on the par 5, tenth hole. Despite the dead weight of his playing partner, your scribe, which I suspect necessitated Joff visiting a chiropractor, the following day, the match ended 4 and 3 in favour of MTGS. After showering and changing we began the wait for the other matches to come in.
We didn’t have to wait long. The second match had the evergreen duo of Peter Featherstone and John Smith, versus the FMI President, Peter Cottle and Paul Fulford. A welcome thumbs up was signalled by John when he confirmed a further 3 and 2 win for MTGS.
The third game brought Sean Friedman and Mark Binyon up against the FMI’s Len Mileham and Stephen Fulford, with the latter proving to be too strong by carding a 5 and 4 for their side, making it 2 - 1.
Match 4 saw the MTGS father and son pairing of Graham and Eamon Balaam produce unexpected loss to Len Mileham and Stephen Fulford, when they went down 5 and 4, which significantly lifted the FMI spirits.
At two matches apiece, both Match Manger’s nerves were jangling until Match 5 ended when Paul Newman and Jon O’Neil lowered the colours of FMi pair Steve Argent and David Evans with a resounding 5 and 4 win over, giving MTGS a one match lead.
The final match had Martin Derrick partnered with Roger Prowting in a strongly contested affair against Clive Fletcher and Jeremy Stopher, which was only decided on the eighteenth, when the MTGS men overcame their opponents by one hole, thus giving MTGS a 4 match versus 2 match win overall. and secured the trophy for another year.
Everyone changed and showered and we sat down to an excellent lunch which was much appreciated by both teams. A short presentation followed when the writer thanked the FMI for their participation, announced the match result and thanked the staff at Beaconsfield GC for the high standards of catering and the condition of the course.
Peter Cottle the FMI President, responded by thanking and congratulating the MTGS
team and said how much the FMI enjoyed the fixture and looked forward to next year’s match before handing over the trophy to MTGS President Joff Suter.
David McCluskey
Match Manager