Surrey Golf
Surrey First Team
Fresh off the previous weekend's National Finals we selected a much-changed side with a mixture of youth and experience. The league final coincided with the European Tour Qualifying School in which regular team members Harry Uzzell and Harvey Byers were competing meaning they were unable to be selected. Other team members Will Dugdale, and Ben Palmer had to fill work commitments.
The following players were selected:
- David Corben (Captain)
- Jacob Aaholm
- Monty Holcombe
- Kris Kim
- Oscar Lent
- Kieran Lovelock
- Terry Nicholls
- David Primrose
The Surrey captain elected to go with experience first and paired himself with Kieran Lovelock heading out first. The match was nip and tuck until a burst of three birdies in four holes sent the Essex pair clear. Despite some valiant attempts they could not be caught, and the match finished at the 17th with a 3&1 win for Essex.
Our second pair, with a combined age under thirty, of Monty Holcombe and Kris Kim were presented with the challenge of probably Essex’s two best players, Zach Chigwidden and Shay McQueen. The Surrey pair made a solid start and showed no signs of intimidation. At the 17th tee Essex were 1up and after two shots each on the 17th it looked likely the match would finish Essex’s way. However, a true matchplay moment occurred with Monty holing and Essex then missing meaning the match went up the last A/S. Essex’s two players showed their class and experience to finish with a birdie to take the match 1up.
Our third pair of Terry Nicholls and debutant Oscar Lent played phenomenal golf and shook hands in the countryside with a remarkable 8&7 victory. Despite being the third match this one was easily the first to finish and put Surrey 1-0 ahead.
Our final pairing of experienced players David Primrose and Jacob Aaholm were up against it from the outset and could not contend against their younger opponents, succumbing to a 5&3 defeat. The score was 3-1 Essex with Surrey needing to produce a comeback of some magnitude.
Following lunch, a quick start was required and to do so the captain opted for the energy of youth at the beginning.
The captain, leading the order, was pitted against England international Chigwidden and the match was poised A/S at the halfway mark. Birdies at 11, 12 & 14 put the Surrey captain ahead and this was a lead he wouldn’t relinquish finishing the match at the 16th, 3&2.
Oscar Lent, fresh off his victory in the morning and a fantastic practice round, was promoted to number two. He continued his excellent form and out played his opponent Ben Humphrey to also win 3&2. A wonderful achievement for a 15-year-old making his first appearance at senior level.
Monty Holcombe took up the third position in the order and showed no signs of being fazed. Continuing his excellence for this year resulting in wins at the Alliss Trophy and U16 West of England, Monty got ahead in his match and calmly finished off the game at the 17th, 2&1. A likewise excellent debut at senior level.
With this win Surrey poked their noses ahead 4-3. The next two matches went the way of youth. Terry Nicholls tried his hardest but unfortunately came up against strong play from his young opponent Charlie Croker, a recent winner of the junior Champion of Champions. The final margin to the Essex man was 3&2.
Our youngest member, Kris Kim started slowly and found himself a couple behind. However, a barrage of six birdies in seven holes around the turn was too much for his opponent and Kris calmly finished the match off on the tricky 16th hole winning 3&2. This was Kris’s second match for the county having made his debut as a 13-year-old.
Word came through that we were slightly behind in all three remaining games. However, with the course presenting a tricky finish we still held hope.
David Primrose and Kieran Lovelock tried as they might to get something from their games, out 6th and 7th respectively. Both would succumb 2&1 with Kieran’s opponent finishing with a tap in two on the 17th to move the score to 6-5 in favour of Essex.
Our anchor man Jacob Aaholm found himself one down after 12. The 13th and 14th would prove pivotal with the Essex player holing twice from distance to speed to a 3up lead. After halving the 15th, the overall match was Essex’s as they were now in an insurmountable position. The final match finished 2up to Essex and the final score was Surrey 5 – Essex 7.
Surrey have now won the Southern League four of the last five years. Unfortunately, though, we have lost the last three league finals by the narrowest of margins. We go forward to next season safe in the knowledge that as a team we are in a great position with a great blend of experience, youth, and an incredible pool of talent currently at university in America.
We thank Letchworth for their hospitality and as a team, thank John Noble, Jim Christine, Steve McNeill, and Simon Crockett for their work behind the scenes.
David Corben
1st Team Captain
Left to right front row Monty Holcombe, Ben Palmer, Terry Casey (County President), Kris Kim, Oscar Lent, David Corben (Captain)
Left to right back row Simon Crockett (Surrey board member), John Noble (Surrey Head County Coach), David Primrose, Jacob Aaholm, Terry Nicholls, Kieran Lovelock
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