Ladies & Men's County Foursomes Go Down to the Wire at Wrag Barn

The 2023 Wiltshire County Foursomes took place at Wrag Barn on Sunday 9th July 2023, with both the Men's & Women's titles up for grabs.

The early lead after the first round of the Men's competition was taken by home player Matt Simpkins and his partner Simon Futcher (Ogbourne Downs) who posted a level par 72 in testing conditions. Tony Keyes (Wrag Barn) and Martin Sell (Cumberwell Park) were hot on their heels one shot back, with 2022 champions, Bowood's Harry Llewellyn and Calum Fitzgerald third on 74. 

With conditions deteriorating the afternoon round was set to be a severe test of skill and nerve, and so it proved. Kingsdown's Richard George and William Gilsenan set the early pace, carding an excellent 73 for a 5 over total of 149. This was matched by Futcher & Simpkins, and a nervous wait ensued. If Keyes and Sell and Llewellyn and Fitzgerald could birdie the last there would be a 4 way playoff, but both putts slid agonisingly by, so just 2 teams made their way to the 10th tee.

After 3 extra holes they couldn't be seperated, but a great drive and nerveless second set the kingsdown pair up for a solid par and a great victory. Rich and Will are pictured above receiving their trophies from Tilly the Wiltshire Golf Dog as the sun set.

Wrag Barn Pair Ivor Whinney and Shaun Judd took the honours in the nett competiton, with Matt Packer & Paul Watts taking second place.

The Ladies competition was almost as exciting with Chippenham's Trudy Feltham and and Ali Grandison holding an early lead, only to be pipped by the home pair of Tracey Judd and Alison Talbert.

However, Jackie Bartleet (Cumberwell Park) and Kate Lush (Rushmore ) took third place with 92, and it was left to the last two pairs to fight it out for the honours. Despite a 30 foot birdie putt on 18 by County Captain Gill Loughrey (Wrag Barn) she and her partner Alex Patton (Cumberwell Park) just lost out by 2 shots to Broome Manor's Lauren Hulston & Claire Smith who carded an 83. Their victory was made even more impressive by the fact that they dropped 8 shots in 2 holes in the middle of the back 9, otherwise it would have been a 1-over round on a very difficult day.

Lauren and Claire are picture above receiving their trophy from County Vice-President Ian Wood

Winner of the nett prize were High Post members June and Fiona Haslem with a nett 74 with Chippenham's Carol Main and Anne Fisher in runners up spot.

Full results are available on the front page of the website

Everyone at Wiltshire Golf would like to offer a massive thanks to Wrag Barn's owners Tim & Verity Manners for their continued strong support of County Golf. We would also like to thank Head Greenkeeper Neil Carter and his team for the immense amount of work they put in during the lead up to the Championship - the course was in amazing condition.

Finally, a big thank you to Club General Manager Tracy Lee and all her team for the warm welcome and the nnormal excellent level of service.

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