The Mail on Sunday First Round

So today we had the first round of the Mail On Sunday Club Classic, and we were drawn against Gatton Manor. When I woke up this morning and saw it was snowing I did not this we were gong to be able to play, but it did not settle and was not too cold with my long Johns and 5 layers on. It was good to see Gatton had taken this competitions seriously and had pulled out all the big guns for this local derby. we exchanged team sheets and the draw was as below.

Rob England (11) V Mark Dawson (4)
Brian Johnstone (12) V Mark Marshall (5)
Nick Baker (8) V Alex Cannon (8)
Paul McHale (5) V Dave Dearing (7)
Clive Wright (9) V John Humphries (3)

So we were a little outgunned on the handicaps but we hoped the system was fair and it would even it out with the shots received. It was a little disappointing to find out that none of the Tees were open and and all the holes were played off of Mats. In General the course was in good condition, and although the Fairways and Greens seemed a lot wetter than Slinfold the walking between tees was kept drier with paths etc. so it was not as muddy.
So on to the Match. and for me I was up against a John who played very well. By the 5th hole I found myself 3 down, I played the fifth very well and managed a birdie however I lost this hole to an eagle. John went on to win the 6th but I birdied 7 and 8 to get it back to 2 down only to loose 9 to another birdie. So after 9 holes I was three down, four over gross and with 3 birdies. It did not get any better for me and I ended up loosing 6&5 although I played the 18 holes 8 over, 1 under my handicap. John who I played was 3 under gross when our match ended. As I was playing the 13th I saw Brian J on 15 and he was 4 down (he ended up loosing 4&3), so without knowing what was going on the other matches it did not look good for Slinfold. On 17 there was a bit of a holdup and we caught up with Paul M, and there was some more positive news. Turns out Nick Baker had been 1 up and so had Rob E and with Paul M all square we were still in with a shout. But then Paul pushed one out into the woods on 17, and as we walked up behind them we could see he had lost that hole (to a birdie I heard in the end). On 18 we had to wait on the fairway for the Paul to putt out and as he punched the air we knew he had won that hole and made a half, and as we walked up the green I was told, "your going down the first for a playoff" as Rob (2&1) and Nick (1Up) had both won their matches. So with the rules being in a tied Match the 5th group have to playoff John H and Myself had to go back down the first.
OK so this was my first time in a position like this, and it was good that all the rest of the teams would watch and follow us for these playoff holes (NOT).  I won the toss and elected to play first. I don't think I have been so nervous before hitting a golf shot, my heart should not beat this fast. I hit a bit of a scuffy shot but got away with it and it ended about 220 in the middle of the fairway. My opponent John hit and equally scuffy shot and ended up about 1 Yard in front of my ball. 200 left to green, up hill, wet and cold so I elected for 5 wood. I hit it well and came up just short of the green, John hit his and ended up about ten yards behind me. This may have been good in most circumstances, I was just off he green and could Putt, John had to chip, however all day long any chip John had hit was stone dead, so I had to think I needed a 4. John hit his chip and thinned it all the way to back of the green. I then hit my putt, but in thinking I must get up the hill I went past by 12 feet. When John put his next putt 7 feet past the hole I thought I was in with a chance. I played my putt and it just missed and rolled on another foot and when John missed his Putt back, making a 6, I only had a foot left to win the hole. Well it should be easy, I know we can all walk up and tap these in with our eyes closed, but not now. All sorts were going through my mind but I went back to routine, look at the point you want to hit it, concentrate on that point, now back down to the ball and strike the Putt. I holed it and we had won the match.
What a great experience to play it these conditions, and of course it was great to win. Gatton were great hosts and provided Sandwiches and chips and John even bought me a beer. Thanks to the team for playing so well and we look forward to the next round.