Joe Smith leads his team to an AWAY win at Luton Hoo
Report from the “gloves of Joe Smith”
Date 15th July
Opponents Bedfordshire
Venue Luton Hoo (Away)
“Having played two home games this season it was the first time on the road for the men’s Middlesex men’s 2nd team in the challenge league .
Away to Bedfordshire at future Ryder cup venue Luton Hoo …player manager Joe smith said “There was an air of confidence and change in the Bedfordshire squad, with evidence from the 6 man team followed by the Seacroft foursomes, the results were proof enough.
We knew we would be in for a difficult match ….. with Bedfordshire out for revenge
The morning foursomes
I felt we had four pairings that all had experience together and for me it was straight forward selection… first out was Luke Fitzpatrick and Kane Stone who were down early.. then Joe Eastwood and Tayan Wagjiani who always had the edge in a match that they would close out.
Young Freddy Tucker and Andrea Bothma would stroll to a 5 and 4 win .. but with Stone and Fitzpatrick 2 down 3 to play .. and the anchor pairing of father son Joe and Rymer Smith 3 down at the turn if you were a betting man you place it 2..2 at lunch.. but the smiths found their best golf in the difficult format on the back 9.
Joe said we had a small break on the 10th hole in which we won, then we played super golf from there on in covering the last 8 holes in two under to win the match on the 18 th hole ..
Whilst Stone and Fitzpatrick.. left all their effort for a sprint finish of 3 birdies to snatch victory on the 18 th .. to make it 4 – 0 at lunch.
Joe smith said a good problem to have was to warn my team of complacency… i carried out a little shuffling .. and the first win would .. come early by the way of Kane Stone who played sub par golf to win nicely by 4 & 3 … then Joe Eastwood also played very nicely to get a 2 & 1 win
6-0 to Middlesex currently
At the back Joe and Rymer Smith would be in tight tussles .. Joe all square at the turn . And Rymer .. 1 up .. but they both played the back 9 holes well and they too would both produce sub par golf to for Joe to win by 4&3. And .rymer3&1 ..
8-0 to Middlesex
Joe went on to say I was so pleased to get my 53 year old body on the buggy and watch my team in by which time in the space of minutes had 3 matches on the 18th hole!!
Tayan Wagjiani forced his opponent to make a 80 yard up and down to lose on the 18 th .. Andrea bothma would fight brilliantly against Joe Kirby a player highly rated by some 😀 to reach the 18 th 1 down only to find trouble off the tee and lose 2 down ..
A young Freddy Tucker would get the wrong side of a good match losing by the score of 2@1 .. this left Luke Fitzpatrick all square on the last where the Bedfordshire player cooley putted from 40 foot to a gimme range.. as for the Middlesex player whowould not produce the same effort going 8 foot past from 35 feet ..
Joe went on to say the match was firmly put to bed but we’re all competitive and we all gathered and whispered if he gets this we’ve won the singles 4.5 to 3.5 and Luke put it right in the middle of the hole .. Middlesex 8.5… Bedfordshire 3.5 …
It was a gruelling physical day on a massive championship course with long long walks from greens to tees but we stuck in and completed our job, I could not have asked for more of the players, the tweaks we have made in the foursomes seem to be working thus far .. and we have surely now secured the opportunity to go and play Essex with the chance of winning the league that was our aim and we’ve done it .. so rest now until September and we’ll just watch what happens to the two fixtures between Essex and Bedfordshire.
I’d be totally lying to say I wouldn’t want Bedfordshire to win but whatever happens we’ll be at Essex enjoying the challenge..
I would like to thank Gary Boyle and his team they really hosted us like gentleman.. I would like to extend my thanks to my assistant s Gary Gilbert and Phil Scott they are a massive part of my team .. and last not least Middlesex county golf for funding and giving us the opportunity of theses away stays we all very much enjoyed it.