County Match Play Championship - 24 June to 1 July
This year, the Championship is at Gosforth starting with the 36 hole stroke play qualifying session. Out of the 80 or so players entered, the great news was that two of the lads qualified for the last 16 match play stages - and in some style too. James Curry shot rounds 69 and 67 and Danny Shevill waded in with 66 and 69 to be just two shots off leading qualifiers Andy Minnikin, George Cowan and Ben Taylor.
The cut was made at 139 and the other players who missed out, despite much improved second rounds, were Paul Armstrong (78 and 71), Kevin Robson (73 and 70) and Denny Ward (77 and 70). Shaun Philipson shot a great 66 in the first round but, with a great chance of qualifying, had to retire with an injured back during the second round.
Once the draw was made, James and Danny found themselves facing tough first round matches against 2005 Stroke Play Champion , Phil Ridden, and Chris Paisley respectively.
In a close match, James won 3/1 but Danny found Chris a real handful on the night and went down 5/4.
James now faced the experienced John Oakley in the quarter finals. John is a former County Stroke Play Champion and belied his 50 something age with a scintillating display of driving, iron play and putting and eventually winning 3/2.
I'd heard a rumour that John had beaten James' father, former British Amateur Champion David Curry, in this Championship. So I spoke to John about it and he confirmed that, 21 years ago, he'd beaten David in the quarter finals too. John's still very fit so, if James gets married and has a son, it wouldn't be a surprise if John plays him in 20 years or so. Hopefully, third time lucky for the Curry brigade!
This year, the Championship is at Gosforth starting with the 36 hole stroke play qualifying session. Out of the 80 or so players entered, the great news was that two of the lads qualified for the last 16 match play stages - and in some style too. James Curry shot rounds 69 and 67 and Danny Shevill waded in with 66 and 69 to be just two shots off leading qualifiers Andy Minnikin, George Cowan and Ben Taylor.
The cut was made at 139 and the other players who missed out, despite much improved second rounds, were Paul Armstrong (78 and 71), Kevin Robson (73 and 70) and Denny Ward (77 and 70). Shaun Philipson shot a great 66 in the first round but, with a great chance of qualifying, had to retire with an injured back during the second round.
Once the draw was made, James and Danny found themselves facing tough first round matches against 2005 Stroke Play Champion , Phil Ridden, and Chris Paisley respectively.
In a close match, James won 3/1 but Danny found Chris a real handful on the night and went down 5/4.
James now faced the experienced John Oakley in the quarter finals. John is a former County Stroke Play Champion and belied his 50 something age with a scintillating display of driving, iron play and putting and eventually winning 3/2.
I'd heard a rumour that John had beaten James' father, former British Amateur Champion David Curry, in this Championship. So I spoke to John about it and he confirmed that, 21 years ago, he'd beaten David in the quarter finals too. John's still very fit so, if James gets married and has a son, it wouldn't be a surprise if John plays him in 20 years or so. Hopefully, third time lucky for the Curry brigade!
posted by Mini Profile | 2:19 pm
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