Yet again it was time for the tour of the 2 matches in Sussex and Kent. Originally designed as a way of reducing travelling following diary clashes in , it seems to have evolved into an exercise in stamina.
The Tour started for some on the Sunday evening when England were in the Euro’s Final as a way of avoiding the M25 on Monday morning, as good an excuse as any. The tour group then met up at Nevill GC on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells for a game before moving down to Eastbourne in preparation for the Sussex match.
The best score of the day was from Trevor Clifton.
Tuesday morning was a little damp and windy, ideal conditions for playing a course close to the coast. The Royal Eastbourne clubhouse was very welcoming with plenty of ‘coffee’ available prior to lunch and then an afternoon start.
The course featured some interesting use of the local hilly terrain, being not far from Beachy Head. The 3rd hole having a reputation all of it’s own.
3rd Hole
12th green
It also featured a Folly behind the 12th green.
After all the on-course action the final result was that SCAGC continued to amass trophies, managing to win the match 5-3.
Most retired back to the hotel for an ‘early night’ but a small tour of Eastbourne hostelries was undertaken by a few Barkway Boys.
A far better day dawned on Wednesday for the drive after breakfast to Maidstone for the match against Kent. Some quite scenic routes were taken but all arrived safe and sound ready to fuel up for the match at Bearsted GC on the outskirts of Maidstone.
Again the course was reasonably hilly being on the edge of the North Kent downs.
This course also had an interesting feature, celebrating the 125th anniversary of Bearsted GC.
After a very enjoyable afternoon the result form the 10 teams was that Kent narrowly prevailed with a 6 – 4 win. Unfortunately Kent forgot to bring the trophy but it should now have an extra shine for when SCAGC reclaim it next year.
All players managed to survive relatively unscathed and should be looking to repeat the ordeal in 2 years time.
