Guilford Trophy 2010

Clubs are interested in taking part in The Guilford Trophy for 2010 season should contact

John Young, hon sec

Email address - youngj7@sky.com

before our annual meeting and draw on the 30th October 2009.

Guilford Trophy Final 2009.

The final this year took place at Ashford golf Club on Saturday 26^th September 2009 between Canterbury and Littlestone. On a glorious September day everything was right for a great final, with two equally matched teams. Canterbury were in their second consecutive final, having lost on count back to Royal Cinque Ports by 1 hole last year, the match having finished all square 6 points apiece.

The first two matches of the morning foursomes went to Canterbury by considerable margins. However, Littlestone struck back in match three with a 2up win for youngsters Charlie Wilson and Jamie Guppy over the experienced pair of Richard Davies and John Coupe. The final match was a close contest between  Dean Danton and Colin Gellatly of Canterbury and Littlestone’s Derek Hitchman and David Weighton. They came to the 18^th tee all square, Canterbury having been three down with four to play. With both tee shots missing the par 3 18^th green, a half looked on the cards, and that’s how it finished.

After a short break for lunch, the afternoon singles started, with Canterbury carrying a slender one point lead. This very quickly became three points as the first two games went comfortably to Canterbury.  Littlestone hit back winning games seven and eight by considerable margins, which was then followed by Bruce Hilsdon beating John MacDonald 2up. The match was now all square, however in the three remaining games, Canterbury were up in two and down in one. The match turned back in Canterbury’s favour when Dean Danton forced his way back to earn a half against Jamie Guppy. The winning put was sunk by Canterbury’s Richard Davies on the 17^th to defeat David Weighton.

Once in the clubhouse, John Young thanked Ashford Golf Club for their hospitality and the excellent condition of the course. This was followed by a short prize giving with Mick Owen, Ashford’s IPC, presenting the Guilford Trophy to John Coupe, captain of Canterbury’s Guilford Trophy Team.

John G Young

Hon Sec Guilford Trophy.

Guilford Trophy Final

Played at Littlestone Saturday 20^th September 2008.

This year’s final of the Guilford Trophy was contested at Littlestone on a fine Saturday with virtually no wind by Canterbury and Royal Cinque Ports. Both sides had earned their place in these finals by winning their semi-finals away from home at Littlestone and Ashford respectively. Special mention to Canterbury who had in fact been drawn away in every round.

The morning foursomes finished all square at 2 all, after some exciting golf from all parts of the links.

The breeze began to blow as the 8 singles went off in the afternoon. They were all fairly tight matches with the exception of Cinque Ports Ian Mason who won 5 up as did Canterbury’s Richard Davies.

After 6 of these singles matches the tie was all square, with just 2 matches still playing. With most of the other players now following these matches, the pressure was on, and as the matches went through the 15^th Mike Bidewell was 2 down to Cinque Port’s Howard Moxon and Toby Cozens was 3 down to Canterbury’s Colin Gellatly. Toby managed to win 1 hole back and lost 2 down, which meant all was now on Howard and Mike. The long par 4  16^th  proved to be the deciding hole with Mike in deep rough to the right of the green and Howard through the green, both in two. Howard managed to make the green with his third shot, where Mike took two to move his ball from the jungle, allowing Howard to win the game.

This left the scores tied at 6 all with Cinque Ports winning by 1 hole on a count back.

Royal Cinque Ports now represent The Guilford Trophy Clubs in the Mid Kent Cup at Chislehurst on 19^th April 2009 against either Rochester and Cobham or Knowle Park, who contest the final for The Perman Shield on the 5^th October 2009 at Royal Blackheath.

Congratulations to both teams for the not just the high standard of golf but the spirit in which all the matches were played.

John G Young

Hon Sec Guilford Trophy.