The Cheshunt Salver – Nazeing GC

Under very difficult wet conditions following torrential rain over the last week, Essex U18s met our friends from Hertfordshire for the annual renewal of The Cheshunt Salver. A combined U18s/U16s team of 12 players took part in the morning foursomes and with the first match being conceded and match 2 going comfortably our way, match 3 produced the best golf of the day as the pairing of boys captain Marley Read & Ollie Baker were round in 6 under par to secure victory on the final green. Hertfordshire easily claimed match 4, with match 5 being halved and a victory for Essex in match 6, leaving the lunch time score 4.5-1.5 in our favour. The afternoon proved to be a much closer affair, 9 of the 12 singles matches going down the last and some very tightly fought matches indeed. Match 1 ended in a half with Micah Blowers winning the 18th, but Ed Mason unfortunately went down to an eagle on 18. Freddie Warn had an excellent victory in match 3 and with the next 7 matches all going the distance and ending all square or a victory by one hole it was down to the final 2 matches to bring home the victory for Essex. Toby Peters and Teddy Ralston secured 3&1 and 3&2 wins respectively. 

The weather was very changeable throughout the day but we ended up with a hail storm that turned the 18th green white as the final matches came in. Nevertheless the boys coped fantastically with all that was thrown at them and came out on top of a match played in fantastic spirit and we retained the trophy for another year. 

I would like to thank Nazeing GC for the great hospitality and welcome they showed us and our visitors and that they managed to provide a golf course that was a huge credit to themselves. The greens are quite possibly the best in the county at this moment and we were grateful for all their efforts in hosting us. Also many thanks to Peter and his team from Hertfordshire and I wish all of the boys the best of season ahead.Overall it was a really good performance and a great start to the season for both U18s and U16s. On to the next one, the signs are positive for the year in front of us.

Paul Prebble

U18s Team Manager