Worcestershire County Golf Ltd
Worcestershire U16’s v Gloucestershire U16’s Friendly
Worcestershire U16’s v Gloucestershire U16’s Friendly
6th April 2025 – Redditch Kingfisher Golf Club
A beautiful Spring morning greeted the U16’s team as we welcomed our friends from Gloucestershire for the annual U16’s friendly match. This fixture provides an opportunity for players making the step up from U14’s to gain valuable experience in the environment of scratch match-play golf and allows new pairings to be tested. Several players were making their debuts for the for County and their nerves were soon put at ease by the more experienced members of the squad who had previously met them at the winter coaching sessions.
The morning foursomes were set off by Paul from the club who provided great humour and some valuable tips for the boys who had not previously played the course. Harry and Hayden led the way for Worcestershire, the experienced pair were always in control and secured a 4&3 win. Alex Perry, partnered with Freddie Wilson for the first time, and they also secured a comfortable point for the Pears.
Max Wesley and Nicholas Campbell showed true determination to battle back from being 4 down to win 1 up on the last. A very late Gloucestershire withdrawal meant Oliver Ansell’s and Tom Jurkowski’s match was a walk over, nevertheless the boys still took the opportunity to gain some foursomes experience by taking on the solo Gloucestershire player.
The last match of the morning went the way of Gloucestershire giving Worcestershire a 4:1 to take into the afternoon’s singles matches. To ensure things remained competitive, and to ensure every point had to be fought for it was agreed the Gloucestershire Captain, Felix Chippendale, would play singles against two Worcestershire players.
Harry Evans (1up) and Hayden Sarfo (4&3) secured the first Worcestershire points of the afternoon. Unfortunately, despite some excellent golf Oli Ansell (1 down) and Nicholas Campbell (1 down) fell to narrow defeats. Max Wesley’s 4&3 win meant only a point was needed to secure a win from the remaining 3 matches. The Gloucestershire Captain won both points against the Worcestershire boys. A special mention must go to Tom Jurkowski who, in his first ever County match found himself 5 down at one stage but battled back to be 1 down stood on the 18th tee, unfortunately he was unable to secure a deserved half.
The match win was secured by another U16’s debutant, Ciaran Hessian-Wilson, who held his nerve to make a 5-foot putt on the 18th green to win 1 Up. This rounded off an excellent day of competitive golf which was played in great spirits and provided valuable experience to those who had not competed at this level in the past. Both sets of players displayed impeccable etiquette and sportsmanship, and we wish Gloucestershire well for the forthcoming season.
Thanks go to everyone at Redditch Kingfisher Golf Club for their hospitality, Paul for starting the matches, the catering staff and the greens team. I would also like to thank Kevin Fee and Luke Perry for their support and assistance on the day.
Mark Evans
U16’s Manager
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