Ben Evans writes ... Three of the four pairs matches may have gone down to the wire but the Golf Foundation retained the Chesterfield Trophy 2 1/2 points to 1 1/2 points in the annual match between the UK junior charity and the Association of Golf Writers (AGW), staged at Buckinghamshire Golf Club.
Despite days of heavy rain in the build-up, the course was in remarkably good condition with excellent greens for the two visiting sides for this fixture that stretches back to 1987. AGW team captain Peter Dixon, keen to reverse the trend after losses in the previous two years, selected a side that was ‘packed with experience’. Meanwhile, the Golf Foundation invested in youth yet, for the sake of a couple of putts, the result could have gone to either side, as three matches went to the long par 5, 18th.
AGW Captain Peter Dixon (right) presents the Chesterfield Trophy to Golf Foundation winning captain, Martin Crowder
Notable performances included Foundation chairman Stephen Lewis and Young Ambassador Jessica Pilgrim, aged 13, holding off a determined fight from Rob Perkins and Neil McLeman, with Jessica holing the winning putt on the last green. For Jane Carter and Andy Farrell their sterling efforts were not rewarded as their putts just wouldn’t drop, with Foundation regional development officer Alice Lowe holing the crucial putt on the 18th for a half, while partner Ella Baker, a second Young Ambassador, also aged 13, won the prize for the longest drive of the day!
Along with Ella and Jessica, Channel 4 TV presenter Kerr Drummond, a newly welcomed official ambassador to the Golf Foundation, was in simply too good form with Martin Crowder as they outplayed Peter Dixon and Colin Callander to complete a commanding win on the 14th.
Golf Foundation ambassadors Kerr Drummond with Jessica Pilgrim (left) and Ella Baker
While Paul Trow and Adrian Milledge have worked on rival golf titles before, they made a great combination to close out Foundation trustee Nick Bragg and press officer Ben Evans on the 18th for a deserved 2-up win for the AGW.
This day is always a positive one for the Golf Foundation and AGW members, offering the chance to compare notes about the future of the game and how we can all help more young players to take up the sport and thrive while playing it.
Following the match, Peter Dixon spoke very well to all present about the contribution the GF’s Young Ambassadors Jessica and Ella brought to the match and their role in bringing a youthful voice to help promote the aims of this junior charity.
RESULTS
Rob Perkins & Neil McLeman v Stephen Lewis & Jessica Pilgrim(won 1-UP)
Jane Carter & Andy Farrell v Alice Lowe & Ella Baker (ALL-SQUARE)
Peter Dixon & Colin Callander v Kerr Drummond & Martin Crowder(won 5&4)
Paul Trow & Adrian Milledge (won 2-UP) v Nick Bragg & Ben Evans
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