Goodwood Seniors Storm to Victory in the Cyril Blake

For those not familiar the Cyril Blake is a foursome’s match play knockout competition in teams of eight. Foursomes is a stern test of golf involving pairs playing alternate shots. The famous golfer Ben Crenshaw once said ‘Foursomes is the most mentally challenging form of golf’.

Golf At Goodwood has had a great run in the competition this year winning against Slinfold, Royal Eastbourne and Littlehampton. This paved the way to their quarter-final match up at home against Hollingbury Park. Following recent renovations The Downs looked stunning and both teams were ready for the challenge. Stand in Captain Roger Dzenis-Herbert has done an excellent job this year and had assembled a very strong looking team.

On the 14th hole Golf At Goodwood were slightly ahead being up in 3 and down in 1. The pairing of Russell Braham and Warwick Davis had a tough afternoon on the course eventually losing 5 and 3. Good news followed in match three and four. The new pairing of Martin Leo and Ken Fisher-Pascall who first met the morning of the match gelled magnificently well. They were up throughout their match winning 3 and 2. At this point the first match looked pivotal. At the 17th hole. Golf At Goodwood were dormy 2 up and looked like they were playing well. However, the Hollingbury pairing looked like they were up for the battle and started to play some amazing shots. Much to Golf At Goodwood's dismay Hollingbury won the final two holes meaning this match was halved.

This left the match precariously poised one and a half to one and a half. The final pairing on the course was the rock-solid partnership of Mike Walsh and Aidan Walls. They had a resounding victory away at Littlehampton and were full of confidence. Unaware of the drama unfolding ahead of them the pair played magnificently well winning their match 4 and 3. This meant Golf At Goodwood were victorious by the smallest of margins, two and a half to one and a half.

Up next for Golf At Goodwood are the semi-finals which will be played at Seaford Golf Club on Monday 24th July against East Sussex National. Best of luck to all that play.