Foxhills and Dulwich & Sydenham agree on a draw in the final of the John Ling Trophy

Surrey Golf

Foxhills and Dulwich & Sydenham agree on a draw in the final of the John Ling Trophy

The final of the 2020 John Ling Trophy was played between Foxhills and Dulwich & Sydenham, at West Byfleet Golf Club on Thursday the 17th of October. The match is played over 18 holes in a ten a side 4BBB match-play format.

To get to the Final Foxhills won their way through five rounds, having a bye in the first and Dulwich & Sydenham six rounds. Foxhills defeated, Leatherhead, The Wisley, Shirley Park, Surbiton, and West Byfleet in the semi-final to book the spot in the final. Dulwich & Sydenham had wins over, Royal Wimbledon, Silvermere, Royal Mid Surrey, Croham Hurst, Braeside and Epsom.

The pairings on the day of the final were:

Foxhills:

Jamie Puddle & Peter Walsham
Andy Goldie & Tino Pasetti
Liam Kelly & Phil Haskell
Stuart Ogily & David Stringer
Dave Sargent & Frank Wilson

Dulwich & Sydenham:

Mike Roden & Mark Precious
Jeff Unger & Neil Harradine
Harry Hanifan & Steve Knowles
Gordon Howie & Toni Rossi
Nick McCormack & Nick Richards

For an October day the weather was pleasantly warm, and this continued throughout the afternoon.

Terry Casey, Surrey President started the players off with the first 4 ball teeing off at 13:00. The teams were joined on the course by Surrey Referees Danny Lee and Nigel Coase.

Dulwich & Sydenham took a two nil lead winning the first two matches 3/2 and 1 up but that didn’t last long, with the next two matches going the way of Foxhills winning both matches 3/2. The last match was extremely tight coming down the last with Foxhills 1 up and one of their players receiving a stroke. However, it wasn’t to be, and Dulwich & Sydenham dug deep and won the hole. The light had faded fast and whilst the rules state that the matches be played to a result, both teams agreed with Surrey Golf to shake hands and share the trophy each holding it for a six month period.

It was a bittersweet end to the 2020 John Ling Final with past Surrey President and presenter of the John Ling Trophy back in 2005 sadly passing away this year. John always enjoyed attending the finals of the trophy and salver, having a drink, and chatting with the players, he will be sorely missed.

All matches were played in great spirit, and this carried on afterwards when the players had some food, and the presentations were completed by Terry Casey (County President).

Congratulations to both teams on a great day’s golf and perhaps a fitting end to the 2020 John Ling Final.

My thanks to West Byfleet Golf Club for hosting the final and looking after everyone so well, and to our referees, Danny and Nigel and of course Surrey President Terry Casey.

Caroline Hardy-Evans

Assistant County Secretary