The weather forecast for Porthcawl had been pretty dire over the preceding days and we were met by a strong easterly wind and some driving rain when all the teams assembled for lunch on the Monday. When XLGS teed off against the Free Foresters at 1pm, the rain had relented a little but the unusual (for Porthcawl) easterly wind was still blowing at about 2 club strength. Luckily, after about 5 holes the rain had just about stopped and for the rest of the round we only had to contend with the cold wind which made several holes play exceedingly long. XLGS prevailed in this semi-final by 2½ matches to 1½. The score in the second semi-final was the same, with the MCC overcoming the challenge of the Decanter holders the Grancogs.
Porthcawl was in very good condition considering the amount of rain that had been falling there over the winter. There were small lakes in places where I had never seen water before and the Club were having to use pumps to get the water off the course back into the sea! The notoriously deep bunkers were made even more difficult with their compacted wet sand but they were all in play which, together with the always immaculate greens, was a real tribute to the greenkeepers.
The usual excellent dinner and conviviality between the teams in the Clubhouse took all of our minds off the afternoon’s golf, helped just a little by the Albarino and the Malbec!
Following our hearty breakfasts the XLGS took on the MCC in what, surprisingly, became a round played in shirtsleeve weather; thanks to Porthcawl’s micro-climate. All of the participants were busy shedding the many layers they had been wearing on Monday in anticipation of a repeat of the same weather. One or two players were so overcome by this sudden warmth that their pace of play slowed almost to a standstill on occasions – earning a rebuke from your Match Manager! Nevertheless, in bright sunshine with just a gentle zephyr blowing, the two sides could not be separated and the Decanter was shared. In the other match the Grancogs ensured that the Foresters retained the Wooden Spoon for another year.
Many thanks to John Edwards and all of his staff at Royal Porthcawl GC for looking after us so well again; and to my fellow Match Managers and their teams for ensuring that this fixture was as enjoyable as always. Next year’s match will be on March 23rd & 24th.
Stuart Bowden.
