Midland Seniors News

Midland Seniors v UKSGA at Redditch Golf Club on Sunday 15th October 2023

Captain's report:

On a cool but clear Sunday, the Midlands took on the UKSGA at Redditch golf club. Both sides turned out strong teams and we were lucky to be playing as only 12 holes had been open the previous day due to the rain on Friday. The course played well with the greens of a good pace and true.
Some fine golf was played on the front nine by both sides with the Midlands edging ahead in 4 of the games. A special note in the second game with 9 birdies between the four players and the Midlands being out in 6 under!
On the back nine the Midlands were strong, winning 4 games and halving one. Overall, winning 4 1/2-1 1/2
The shot of the day was probably Les Buckner hitting two mighty blows on to the 18th, a par 5, to win with a birdie and claim a half point.

A big thank you must go to Redditch for holding the event and to all the people and sponsors involved in making the event viable.

Midland Senior League Play Off Finals at Coventry Golf Club on 6th September 2023

Shropshire & Herefordshire v Lincolnshire (7.5 - 10.5)

Final Result Sheet

SWCGA Seniors v Midland Seniors at Remedy Oak Golf Club on 31st August 2023

Captain's Report:

What a wonderful course we were taken to by the SWCGA.  Remedy Oak is set in over 300 acres of woodland with 18 huge undulating greens.
The morning foursomes were played in extremely wet conditions which made hanging on to the clubs quite difficult.  The morning session finished 2 1/2 : 2 1/2 which seemed a fair result for every one.
The SW came out very strongly in the afternoon taking 5 out of the first 6 matches with some superb putting which sealed the Midlands fate !
Congratulations must go to Rob Stevens and Duncan McPherson who played together and halved plus both halved their singles in the afternoon but the outstanding player was Karl Smith who managed to win both his matches.
The  matches were played in a great spirit and intensity with some good banter from both sides.
All who were there hope that this match will carry on and felt it can only make stronger ties between the Midlands and SWCGA

Charles Banks
Midlands Senior Captain

5th September 2023

Match results sheet

UKSGA v Midland Seniors (2022)

17th October 2022 at Little Aston Golf Club

Midland Seniors win 4 - 2

Match score sheet

Captain's report

UKSGA V Midland seniors at Little Aston on Monday the 17th October 2022.

Sponsored by, Jeff Walker FLR Group commercial floorings.

This was my last match as Midland Seniors Captain and winning farewell was hoped for.

The match was played on a warm, windy Autumn day at Little Aston, a course of outstanding beauty which was presented in top condition. Thank you to John Hemphrey for organising this venue, very special and to Jeff our sponsor for making it possible.

This was the fourth match between these teams and this match lived up to the previous three.

Starter Mark Reynolds saw Gareth Bradley, the UKSGA Captain tee off first for the home team with his partner John Coupe, playing Kevin Blow and Ken Parsons from the Midland team. A very close match being all square after nine holes and all square after eighteen. After nine holes in the six matches  the Midlands were up in three matches and down in two. A special mention to Bob Aston and Nigel Chesters who were one down after nine despite a two from Nigel, they recovered to record the largest winning score of the two and one, which shows how close the matches were. Brendon Moss also managed two on the ninth hole from 25 feet witnessed by several spectators.

Brendon Moss and Graham Coppens  brought the Midlands home on the eighteenth, in the last match recording a one up score. This resulted in a 4 to 2 winning margin for the Midlands.

At the after match dinner, Gareth Bradley the UKSGA captain for the day presented the Peter  Adams trophy to myself  the Midlands Captain. Unfortunately, Peter Adams wife Alison could not be present as her Mother had been taken ill earlier in the day. I will extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery,

I  responded thanking Graham and his players, for  a well fought match played in a great spirit. Also, I thanked the MGU officials present, Kevin Whitfield Green Chairman, and Steve Kellett Chairman of the Midland Seniors, also Mike Abbotts for initiating these matches four years ago. A thank you also went to Little Aston for hosting the match.

Lastly a thank you to the sponsor of the match Jeff Walker, who unfortunately could not be present. Jeff is a friend of mine and I will pass on the thanks of everyone present at the match.

Looking forward I asked Charles Banks, who will be succeeding me as Midland seniors captain to stand and take a bow. We all wish Charles well for the next two years.

 I also thanked all who have supported me over the last two years and the players who should be congratulated for being selected and their superb play. It has always been my view that the Captain and officials job is to make sure the players enjoy the game and also take the Midlands forward in senior golf.

Paul Newman

Midlands  Senior Captain

Midland Seniors v UKSGA (2020

29th September 2020

2020 Midland Seniors v UK Seniors Golf Association.

The second annual match between the Midland Golf Union Seniors and the UK Seniors Golf Association took place at Stanton-on-the-Wolds Golf Club on Monday 28th September 2020. With the course in excellent condition and warm sunshine the teams set off over 18 holes in Fourball format. The inaugural match had finished in favour of the Midland Golf Union Seniors 4.5 to 1.5 and it was evident by the strength in depth of the visitors that they were determined to reverse the result from 12 months ago. With the Midland Seniors, under the guidance of Seniors Captain Steve Kellett, also a much stronger team, they were equally determined not to be overhauled by the visitors.

With fast running greens proving a real challenge both teams were keen to develop an early lead. Paul Wharton and Jeremy Baldwin were facing the vastly experienced pairing of Ian Attoe and Andrew Atkinson. At the turn they were just one hole down but determined to reverse that position. Les Toyne and Graham Marshall were battling away against home player Charles Banks and Graham Forrest with honours even as they walked onto the 10th tee.

Dave Westwood and late replacement Kevin Blow were in command by the halfway point holding a 4-hole lead over Keith Davies and Paul Knight. Dominic Jessup and Matthew Horton were trailing by a single hole at the turn to Nottinghamshire based Tim Clarke and Malcolm Cawte. A similar score line for Andrew Guy and Paul Longden against UKSGA Captain and President Billy Mitchell and David Price.

The final game of Martin Fell and Bill Thompson was honours even against Simon Dymoke and UKSGA Secretary John Hemphrey.

The back nine was going to be crucial if the Midland Seniors were to reverse the trend at the halfway point.

Paul Wharton and Jeremy Baldwin displayed some good approach play and found their touch on the greens and resisted the challenge of Attoe and Atkinson to run out winners 3 and 2. First points on the board to the Midland Seniors. The match behind was a closer and more tense affair. Les Toyne and Graham Marshall headed up the long 18th safe in the knowledge a half would secure another victory for their side. In the end a concession on the 18th meant a 2-up win. The tide was obviously turning in favour of the Midland Seniors. Dave Westwood and Kevin Blow increased their early lead to finish with a comfortable 5 and 4 win. The UK Seniors Golf Association fought back through Tim Clarke and Malcolm Cawte keeping hold of their early lead to give them a 2 and 1 win.

The last two matches could have gone either way. Andrew Guy and Paul Longden fought hard all the way to the 18th green and eventually finished on the 18th green at 1 up. With the match sown up at this point there was still pride to play for in the last game. They couldn’t be separated through nine holes the same applied through 18 with both teams having an outside chance of snatching a win on the final green but it wasn’t to be.

The match result was a win for the Midland Seniors by 4.5 to 1.5 which was a repeat of the 2019 match. However, it was clear from the team sheets at the start that each squad was stronger than last year.

With all the difficulties of the 2020 season it was good to see the match played in such a good competitive spirit and everyone observed the guidelines put in place by the club and the Midland Golf Union. Protocols were followed to the letter for a very enjoyable and successful day.

Steve Kellett the MGU Seniors Captain said "I knew UKSGA were still smarting following last year's result and looking for revenge. When I saw their side and how strong it was I felt it was very important to get the right pairings and order. It was always going to be tough and at halfway when we were down in 3 matches and level in two more, I did wonder, but the boys played the back 9 magnificently. We ran out worthy winners in the end"

Steve went on " it was a real team effort not just from the players but also from Neil, the MGU secretary - without whose efforts we couldn't have played, Mike the Seniors Chair and Paul the Vice-Captain. I couldn't be happier" 

MIDLAND SENIOR LEAGUE PLAY OFF FINAL RESULTS

September 2019

Staffordshire secured a victory over Cambridgeshire in the Midland Senior League Play Off Final at Kirby Muxloe Golf Club on Monday 9th September 2019. The morning foursomes saw Staffordshire surge ahead with a 5.5 to 0.5 lead making the task for Cambridgeshire that bit tougher. With many games close at the half way point in the afternoon a fightback was on the cards but it was to no avail as the afternoon session was shared at 6 to 6 with the overall result going in favour of Staffordshire 11.5 to 6.5.

Cambridgeshire were looking to make it a treble having been crowned champions in the East Midlands Senior League and in the East Anglian Senior League but were unable to add the Play Off Final to their season tally which as also seen success in the East Midland Junior League and the Men's Anglian County League.

Staffordshire Seniors with the West Midland Senior League Trophy and the Midland Senior League Play Off Final Trophy.

Cambridgeshire Seniors with the East Anglian Senior League Shield and the East Midland Senior League Trophy.