Kent County Golf Union First Team Page

Kent First Team 2010

Kent County Captain

Pat Donaghey

Kent First Team Fixtures 2010
6 Mar	v Suffolk (F)	Felixstowe Ferry
21 Mar	v Middlesex (F)	Sittingbourne
28 Mar	Capt v President	Littlestone
24 Apr	v Essex (F)	Sheerness
9 May	v Surrey (L)	Wildernesse
20 June	v Dorset (L)	Remedy Oak
10 July	EGU SE Qualifying	Stoneham
1 Aug	v Sussex (L)	Hever Castle
22 Aug	v Hampshire (L)	Hockley

KENT V SUFFOLK

Kent's first friendly in 2010 was away to Suffolk at Felixstowe Ferry which considering the temperature being below zero was very playable. However, with the addition of a 30 mph wind straight off the North Sea, conditions for players and spectators were brutal. Good wins for Dan Byrne, Kevin O'Connell, Alfie Plant and a half by Jordan Godwin were Kent's only successes and the match resulted in a defeat for Kent by 3 and half matches to 4 and half matches. Kent thanked Felixstowe Ferry for their excellent hospitality and would recommend that visiting golfers to the area play the course.

KENT V MIDDLESEX

Kent's annual friendly against Middlesex took place at Sittingbourne and Milton Regis GC which was just starting to emerge from the very hard winter that this part of Kent has experienced. In the morning foursomes Kent achieved good wins by Buckland/ O'Connell, Wilson/Cozens, a spirited half by Johnson / Clark. Middlesex's win was by the Fallon brothers against the fancied Burns/ Saunders. At lunch 2&1/2 to 1&1/2 to Kent. The afternoon singles were led off by Liam Burns versus the highly regarded England A Squad player Tommy King which resulted in a 5&4 win for Burns. 2&1 wins by both Levi Johnson and Michael Saunders over Scott and Dean Fallon appeared to put Kent in control. However, wins by Middlesex's Tony Ginn and David Ryan and with Kent's Rob Clark being 1 down with 2 to play against Harry Casey and Charlie Wilson unable to close early lead, the match result appeared to be in doubt. However, with Clark finishing birdie, birdie to halve and Charlie Wilson finally winning on 18th green Kent restored their advantage. Kent's final win was achieved by Matt Cozens who, at just 17 years old, is starting to make a name for himself winning both his matches. Final result Kent 8 Middlesex 4. The county thanked Sittingbourne and its members for the use of their course and their opponents Middlesex for the excellent match.

CAPTAIN V PRESIDENT
Cancelled due to re-arranged Hinge Trophy final


KENT V ESSEX

On a fine and sunny day Sheerness was looking at its best and the morning foursomes finished 2 matches each. Kent's points were gained by newcomers Alfie Plant/ Jack Colgate and Freddie Price/ Connor Fletcher. Essex's victories were achieved by Reese Philips/ Jack Heasman and Andy May/ Joe Galbraith. In the afternoon singles Essex strength in depth came through with wins by Ryan Adair, Reese Philips, Joe Galbraith, Steve Jones & Andy May. Kent wins were by Alex Dixon, Sam Foster & Alfie Plant. Final result Kent 5 matches Essex 7 matches. Kent thanked the Sheerness Captain and Secretary for their excellent hospitality and to their members for spectating in such large numbers. Kent congratulated Essex on their win and their success as English County Champions and wished them well for the coming season. Thanks to the KCGU President Chris Tappin, Past President Ian Burton, Allister Raphael, Dave Watkins & David Oldcorn for supporting the team.

KENT V SURREY

Kent's opening match of 2010 was against Surrey historically the strongest County in the southeast. This year Kent was at home playing at Wildernesse Golf Club which proved an excellent venue both in terms of hospitality and the course. The Surrey side, containing Stiggy Hodgson 2009 Walker Cup, was probably their first pick with Kent fielding three newcomers to first team golf in Jerome Titlow, Matt Cozens and Alfie Plant. In the opening morning foursomes Michael Saunders & Liam Burns gained an excellent 3&1 win against the Surrey pair of Jake Shepherd/ Stiggy Hodgson and with Levi Johnson & Jerome Titlow in match 2 fighting back to gain a half against Steven Brown & Warren Harmston Kent were hopeful to get a further point in the last two foursomes. Alas after a good start by Matt Cozens & Charlie Wilson they were unable to hold on losing to Josh White & Curtis Griffiths 2&1. In the final match Surrey's steady pairing of their Captain Simon Crockett & Alex Christie always had the upper hand against Jon Bell & Alfie Plant even halving the Kent's pair fine birdie on 17th to win 2&1. 2 & 1/2 to 1 1/2 to Surrey at lunch. In the afternoon singles Levi Johnson led the Kent side out but with his opponent Jake Shepherd being 6 under par through 17 holes Surrey won the opening singles 2&1. In the second match Liam Burns led against Steven Brown through the first 12 holes but again Surrey fought back to again win 2&1. Even with Michael Saunders gaining a valuable half against Stiggy Hodgson Surrey were in the driving seat needing just 1 and 1/2 points from the remaining 5 matches to win. However, with fine wins by newcomers Jerome Titlow and Matt Cozens all was not lost for Kent as Jon Bell also won 6&4. 5 points each with two matches left on the course. However, with Alfie Plant in his 1st team debut coming up against the most impressive ball striking from any Surrey player in Alex Christie Kent were again one point behind with one match remaining. All Kent's hopes rested with Charlie Wilson who was having a hard tussle with England A Squad player Josh White with Charlie one down through 13th. However, two unfortunate 3 putts put Charlie behind finally losing 3&2 and a deserved win for a highly professional Surrey Team 7 matches to 5. Both Counties thanked Wildernesse Golf Club and their members for the use of their excellent facilities and wished each other the best for their remaining fixtures.

KENT V DORSET

Kent's match away to Dorset was played at Remedy Oak Golf Club hosting their first county match at a course that is becoming viewed as one of England's top inland courses. Cut out of natural woodland in 2005 the course has matured well with separate tree lined holes and many water hazards guarding tee shots and greens. At 7000 yards it demands well placed shot making with the signature hole being the par 3 11th, 218 yards over water with tall pines up the left hand side, water at the front and right and a bunker at the back of the green. A hole with no bail out. Kent showed many changes to their team from the Surrey match due to R&A and EGU events. Late withdrawals meant Allister Raphael, KCGU Coaching Manager, coming in at the 11th hour to help the county. In the morning foursomes Dorset raced into early leads in all four matches and a four nil deficit looked likely. However, fighting performances by Kevin O'Connell/ Matt Cozens and Rob Clark/Nick Panting gave Kent valuble points when all had seemed lost. In the final foursomes Tom Bayliss partnering Allister were dormie 3 down and a 2 2 result at lunch looked likely. However, with inspired golf and a little luck, Tom & Allister won the last three holes to give Kent a 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 lead at lunch. Hoping to get the 4 points needed for victory Kent changed the order but the solid Dorset side overcame their disappointment in the morning foursomes to get a solid 6 1/2 points from the singles. Kents successes were a win by Levi Johnson and a halved match by Matt Cozens. It seemed a combination of the heat, the extensive walks between holes and the class difference between the teams told by the end. A deserved win for Dorset. Kent thanked Dorset for the excellent match and requested that future visits to Dorset include a return to Remedy Oak.

EGU SE MEN'S QUALIFYING
Squad: Jon Bell, Liam Burns, Jordan Godwin, Levi Johnson, Alfie Plant, Michael Saunders, Tom Sherreard.


KENT V SUSSEX
Team: Liam Burns, Dan Byrne, Jack Colegate, Levi Johnson, Max Orrin, Michael Saunders, Tom Sherreard, Jerome Titlow.


KENT V HAMPSHIRE



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