With one of the strongest teams in recent times at the regional Amateur Golf Championships the Somerset team not only won through undefeated in the inter-counties match play Championship, they also won the right to represent the South West at the County Finals later this year by winning the team stroke play competition.
Back row: Duncan Whittaker (Bath) sporting his S.W.Counties tie as he is for this year The Captain; Lee Corfield (Burnham); Matthew Lock (Weston); David Kent (Burnham) County President; Matthew Burton (Orchardleigh); David Dixon (Enmore); Bradley Porter (Kendleshire). Front row: Phillip Fisher (Tall Pines) with the Strokeplay Cup; Adrian Deakins (Worlebury) S.G.U.Captain with the Matchplay Shield and John Morgan (Clevedon). Missing: Gavin Legg (Enmore) and Mike Walls (Pickeridge).
This annual event was held this year at the Royal North Devon Golf Club at Westward Ho! and was, as usual, attended by teams from the 6 South West Counties. South West Week, as it is known, is a six-day event played on a 'round robin' basis, with County teams playing 8 singles matches in the morning and 4 foursomes in the afternoon against each other. The week also features the Team Stroke play and Individual event traditionally held on the Wednesday.
From the very first game Somerset showed their determination to do well by winning the morning singles 7-1 against Wiltshire and from there on in, remained undefeated throughout the week. The strength of Somerset's squad made itself very clear in the afternoons in the foursomes where once again the team was undefeated. In some thrilling finishes many going all the way to the 18th some top class golf was on display and it must be said that the course, presented in its own inimitable way, was a huge test for even the best of the best. The wind although fairly mild for most of the week, continually changed direction. On the Wednesday stroke play event it showed just what effect it can have on scores by blowing hard and cold from the West making the outward nine difficult, and as for the inward holes, well, I'm just glad I wasn't playing.
A three way tie in the individual event between Scott Godfrey (St.Enodoc GC), John Morgan (Clevedon GC) and Matt Lock (Weston-super-Mare GC) all on 148 resulted in a 5-hole play off, and on Friday this was won by Scott Godfrey by 1 shot. Scott also won the Burdon Trophy for the best individual performance through the week.
All in all a great weeks golf, particularly for Somerset, in superb surroundings with the best traditions of the game upheld. Many new friends were made and there is much to look forward to in terms of West-Country golf in future years.
Our victorious team was:
| Adrian Deakins (Captain), Worlebury GC |
| Phil Fisher (Vice Captain), Tall Pines GC |
| Matt Burton, Orchardleigh GC |
| Lee Corfield, Burnham & Berrow GC |
| Dave Dixon (Winner Lytham Trophy 2000), Enmore Park GC |
| Gavin Legg (County Champion 1999), Enmore Park GC |
| Matt Lock, Weston Super Mare GC |
| John Morgan (Current England International), Clevedon GC |
| Brad Porter, Kendleshire GC |
| Mike Walls (Former England Player), Taunton & Pickeridge GC |
| Duncan Whittaker (South West Counties Captain 2000), Bath GC |
