Middlesex U18 Golf Match Report
County U18 SE League
Date: Sunday, May 25th, 2025
Venue: Castle Royale Golf and Country Club
Teams: Middlesex U18 vs Essex U18 vs BBO U18
Weather: Lovely sunny day with very blustery conditions
Match Results
BB&O U18 12.5 game points 4 match points
Essex U18 11 game points 2 match points
Middlesex U18 0.5 game points 0 match points
Team Performance
Despite the challenging scoreline, the Middlesex U18 team delivered a performance that exemplified the true spirit of competitive golf. Comprising four under 14 players and 4 under 16 players, the young Middlesex squad faced opponents who were typically 7-10 shots stronger on handicap and in some cases 3-4 years older.
Outstanding Individual Performances
Jack Manders (Captain) produced the highlight of the day for Middlesex, earning a crucial half-point against BBO’s Jamie McGeogh in a tightly contested match that demonstrated his fighting spirit and tactical awareness.
Marley Mohan showed tremendous resilience, taking both his matches deep into the closing holes, with games extending to the 17th and 18th holes. His determination to compete until the final putt epitomised the team’s never-give up attitude.
Zak Mundy showed fantastic resolve to try and stave off the charging BBO and Essex players. At times Zak was impressively showing his opponents how to play the blustery conditions. Fantastic effort to take these matches deep into the round and being unlucky not to earn a half point or even a win on the last.
The entire team deserves recognition for giving the established players from Essex and BBO competitive matches throughout. At times it looked like there could be some big upsets on the turn, with several contests remaining tight well into the back nine holes.
Team Spirit and Development
What truly stood out was not the score line, but the exceptional spirit and enjoyment displayed by every Middlesex player. All opposing team managers commented on the positive attitude and sportsmanship shown by the Middlesex squad, noting that watching these young golfers compete was “a joy to watch.”
This match served as an invaluable development opportunity for the team,providing crucial experience against high-level opposition that will undoubtedly benefit their future performances.
Special Recognition
Parents and Players: A massive thank you to all parents and players who committed to what they knew would be a challenging day, showing unwavering support for the team.
Team Management: Special appreciation to Kevin (U16 Manager) and Jonathan (U14 Manager) for their comprehensive support before, during, and after the match.
Exceptional Commitment: Jonathan and George deserve recognition for making a 2.5-hour journey from their family holiday to ensure the team could compete- a gesture that perfectly embodies the dedication within this group of our players.
Looking Forward
This match represents an important building block for the future of Middlesex golf. The experience gained and the fighting spirit displayed bode well for upcoming fixtures for the U14 and U16 teams, with the team showing real potential to secure points in their upcoming matches. This development pathway clearly works, with these young players gaining invaluable experience against top-level opposition that will serve them well as they progress through the county system. Middlesex Junior Golf has got a great opportunity to build today for the success of the future.
Upcoming Fixtures U18
Next Matches:
• July 3rd, 2025 – 6 Man Event @ Clandon Regis GC
• July 13th, 2025 – SE League @ Veralum GC
Conclusion
While the match points may not reflect it, this was a day of significant progress
for Middlesex Junior golf. The combination of competitive spirit, positive
attitude, and valuable experience gained against quality opposition provides a strong foundation for future success. The team’s performance under challenging circumstances demonstrates the bright future ahead for Middlesex County golf.
