Trevor XIV, 2009 - Wales "The Taffy Trevor"
The Trevor's first "overseas" sojourn and the spiritual home to a few trevorers, Many questioned this decision based on the notorious Welsh weather, but these fears were unfounded as fine weather was experienced whenever a golf club was in hand. It was not that we didn't have rain - almost as if the golfing gods were shining on our righteous band of brothers, it seemed to only rain whenever off the course. Indeed on the drive to the course on one day, the rain was so heavy that you considered parking up as visibility was so poor, then the cloud broke in time for golf - a Celtic miracle!!
For the second time in a fortnight Wales has done us proud following the Ashes “Great Escape” only ten days before. Well done Wales!!
Based for the second time in three years in a City centre hotel, this time in Swansea (a somewhat different urban experience to Bournemouth!! - LT), with the golf played on two courses, the relatively new, but nuch heralded Machynys Peninsula and, in complete contrast, one of the region's eldest and finest tests of golf, Ashburnham.
Both courses were superb, Machynys perfect for the Trevor with wide fairways and minimal rough yet still a true test of golf. Ashburnham provided a much tougher challenge, a complete contrast, narrow with heavy rough but still enjoyed by all the boys; one day here was perfect.
For the second time in a fortnight Wales has done us proud following the Ashes “Great Escape” only ten days before. Well done Wales!!
Based for the second time in three years in a City centre hotel, this time in Swansea (a somewhat different urban experience to Bournemouth!! - LT), with the golf played on two courses, the relatively new, but nuch heralded Machynys Peninsula and, in complete contrast, one of the region's eldest and finest tests of golf, Ashburnham.
Both courses were superb, Machynys perfect for the Trevor with wide fairways and minimal rough yet still a true test of golf. Ashburnham provided a much tougher challenge, a complete contrast, narrow with heavy rough but still enjoyed by all the boys; one day here was perfect.
Pre Trevor
As is the trait in recent times, original availability followed by last minute problems with completing the ROW team took its toll on those involved in trying to fill the void.
The OHA lost JG early on as he decided on a sabbatical year in 2009 followed by the withdrawal in early 2009 of the Headmaster, Jim Hooke, after yet another skiing accident!! The return of Rich from Oz was, as always a welcome plus and Nicky Boy, the perennial reserve, once again filled the breach for his fourth consecutive Trevor. These OHA team changes resulted in the match returning to twelve a side.
The ROW had even more issues. Sarge and Kev both have long-term injuries and were early withdrawals, Medsey has too much going on his life to fit in the Trevor (shocking Trevor – LT!!) and Softers sadly double booked and was gutted to miss out.
This left a considerable void in the ROW squad although the return of Big Dog after a two year absence helped. Finally after a lot of trevoring, new skipper Karlos ably supported by some sterling efforts from ROW “President” Prich, the team was finalised.
Karlos managed to acquire the services of Softers for the final day singles with local boy Chris Powell making himself available for the first two day’s battle – even if his wife was not quite so clued up!! Chris proved a welcome addition and would certainly enhance the Trevor with his possible presence in the future.
Two handicap records were broken for this event, firstly Hoody after 14 years finally had a handicap change having been off 18 since year one. Secondly Kenny, having joined a Club played off a 5 handicap (6 shots lower than 2008, the biggest ever handicap cut!). Good on you Kenny but the poor lad struggled off this new number!!
With three new boys joined up with Clubs to have an official handicap, this now means that 2/3 of the teams have official handicaps making life a lot easier for the Captains when in negotiations for the annual review.
The overall match score stands at 6½ - 6½ so something had to give this year – unless another tie (a la 2001) kept the scores level.
The OHA lost JG early on as he decided on a sabbatical year in 2009 followed by the withdrawal in early 2009 of the Headmaster, Jim Hooke, after yet another skiing accident!! The return of Rich from Oz was, as always a welcome plus and Nicky Boy, the perennial reserve, once again filled the breach for his fourth consecutive Trevor. These OHA team changes resulted in the match returning to twelve a side.
The ROW had even more issues. Sarge and Kev both have long-term injuries and were early withdrawals, Medsey has too much going on his life to fit in the Trevor (shocking Trevor – LT!!) and Softers sadly double booked and was gutted to miss out.
This left a considerable void in the ROW squad although the return of Big Dog after a two year absence helped. Finally after a lot of trevoring, new skipper Karlos ably supported by some sterling efforts from ROW “President” Prich, the team was finalised.
Karlos managed to acquire the services of Softers for the final day singles with local boy Chris Powell making himself available for the first two day’s battle – even if his wife was not quite so clued up!! Chris proved a welcome addition and would certainly enhance the Trevor with his possible presence in the future.
Two handicap records were broken for this event, firstly Hoody after 14 years finally had a handicap change having been off 18 since year one. Secondly Kenny, having joined a Club played off a 5 handicap (6 shots lower than 2008, the biggest ever handicap cut!). Good on you Kenny but the poor lad struggled off this new number!!
With three new boys joined up with Clubs to have an official handicap, this now means that 2/3 of the teams have official handicaps making life a lot easier for the Captains when in negotiations for the annual review.
The overall match score stands at 6½ - 6½ so something had to give this year – unless another tie (a la 2001) kept the scores level.
The Lion Roars!!
Day one was played at Machynys Peninsula and this beautiful setting on the Gower Peninsula seemed to inspire the OHA team who came out firing with all guns blazing as they stormed into an early lead in the better ball.
The skip, Kill, and partner Joey were the only OHA pair not to record a win, taken out by Dronny & Jack. The top two games were big wins allowing a long lunch for said players. Probably the best, and most unlikely win, came from Saint & Nick beating a strong ROW pairing of Lethal & Prichy.
After just one session, it is going to be a long way back for Karlos and his team. No team to date has managed to reverse such a big opening lead.
Better Ball Scores OHA 10 ROW 2
The skip, Kill, and partner Joey were the only OHA pair not to record a win, taken out by Dronny & Jack. The top two games were big wins allowing a long lunch for said players. Probably the best, and most unlikely win, came from Saint & Nick beating a strong ROW pairing of Lethal & Prichy.
After just one session, it is going to be a long way back for Karlos and his team. No team to date has managed to reverse such a big opening lead.
Better Ball Scores OHA 10 ROW 2
Game 1
Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 |
Clacks & Copey
Leafy & Hoody LT & Jules Kill & Joey Saint & Nick Toby & Rich |
Sagey & Colin
Kenny & Karlos Woz & Chris Dronny & Jack Prich & Lethal Matt W & Big Dog |
OHA 6&5
OHA 7&6 OHA 2&1 ROW 4&3 OHA 2&1 OHA 1 up |
The afternoon greensomes were shared with only the last game going to the wire. The eventual winners, Matt & Prich got an excellent four on the difficult last to secure victory and give a glimmer of hope for the ROW.
Greensomes Scores OHA 3 ROW 3
Greensomes Scores OHA 3 ROW 3
Game 1
Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 |
Clacks & Hoody
Copey & Kill LT & Nick Leafy & Rich Saint & Jules Toby & Joey |
Sagey & Karlos
Dronny & Chris Lethal & Colin Woz & Jack Kenny & Big Dog Matt W & Prichy |
ROW 2&1
OHA 3&2 OHA 3&2 ROW 4&3 OHA 4&3 ROW 1 up |
Overall Scores OHA 13 ROW 5
The hotel arrangements at the appropriately named Dragon didn't include dinner so it was a case of hitting the bright lights of Swansea for some nosebag and a very illuminating experience - certainly a bit of a shock to a few of the sophisticates from SW London!!
One particular trevorer alikened the experience to a night out in war torn Beirut moving from one bar to the next to witness the next fight. You know you are in a unique place when passed a handbag by a local bowler to allow her to then wade into a fight - quite surreal!!
Could a night out in Swansea provide the inspiration for the ROW boys on day two?
The hotel arrangements at the appropriately named Dragon didn't include dinner so it was a case of hitting the bright lights of Swansea for some nosebag and a very illuminating experience - certainly a bit of a shock to a few of the sophisticates from SW London!!
One particular trevorer alikened the experience to a night out in war torn Beirut moving from one bar to the next to witness the next fight. You know you are in a unique place when passed a handbag by a local bowler to allow her to then wade into a fight - quite surreal!!
Could a night out in Swansea provide the inspiration for the ROW boys on day two?
ROW Halt Tide with Afternoon Victory
Day two was played at Ashburnham Golf Club, host to the Welsh Amateur Championships earlier in the year, a genuine examination of golf.
The morning greensomes showed no change to the pattern to date as the OHA further extended the lead. The OHA winning the first three matches was not really what Karlos was hoping for when he said he wanted a fast start! In these key games two were won on the last hole.
Captain Karlos managed a good win with Lethal and is now needing some intensive trevoring to conjure up the pairs for a strong afternoon better ball session to give the ROW a fighting chance going into the Singles.
The ROW finally got their session win and gave themselves a glimmer of hope for the final day. The captain continued to set the example as partnered with Colin, a good victory was earned over LT & Hoody. Similarly Jack & Chris had a good win against a strong OHA pair, a result reversed when Jules & Joey beat Woz & Prich.
Jules (a Trevor first - LT) went into the singles with a perfect 100% record.
The ROW now need to win the singles 8 - 4 to win back the Trevor or 7½ - 4½ to force a tie. The OHA, as holders, felt relatively comfortable with their lead, particularly in light of the memory still being fresh of the catastrophic singles performance of the ROW in 2008.
Better Ball Scores OHA 4 ROW 8
The morning greensomes showed no change to the pattern to date as the OHA further extended the lead. The OHA winning the first three matches was not really what Karlos was hoping for when he said he wanted a fast start! In these key games two were won on the last hole.
Captain Karlos managed a good win with Lethal and is now needing some intensive trevoring to conjure up the pairs for a strong afternoon better ball session to give the ROW a fighting chance going into the Singles.
The ROW finally got their session win and gave themselves a glimmer of hope for the final day. The captain continued to set the example as partnered with Colin, a good victory was earned over LT & Hoody. Similarly Jack & Chris had a good win against a strong OHA pair, a result reversed when Jules & Joey beat Woz & Prich.
Jules (a Trevor first - LT) went into the singles with a perfect 100% record.
The ROW now need to win the singles 8 - 4 to win back the Trevor or 7½ - 4½ to force a tie. The OHA, as holders, felt relatively comfortable with their lead, particularly in light of the memory still being fresh of the catastrophic singles performance of the ROW in 2008.
Better Ball Scores OHA 4 ROW 8
Game 1
Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 |
Toby & Nick
Jules & Joey Clacks & Kill Copey & Rich Saint & Leafy LT & Hoody |
Sagey & Lethal
Woz & Prich Jack & Chris Kenny & Matt W Dronny & Big Dog Colin & Karlos 2 up |
ROW 3&2
OHA 3&2 ROW 1 up OHA 1 up ROW 4&3 ROW 2 up |
Greensomes Scores OHA 4 ROW 2
Game 1
Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 |
Clacks & Nick
Toby & Saint Jules & Joey Rich & LT Leafy & Kill Copey & Hoody |
Matt W & Kenny
Dronny & Jack Sagey & Chris Karlos & Lethal Woz & Big Dog Prich & Colin |
OHA 1 up
OHA 1 up OHA 3&2 ROW 2&1 ROW 4&2 OHA 3&1 |
Overall Score OHA 21 ROW 15
Another superb night’s entertainment with a twist.
The two captain’s decided on a team meal, well received by both parties; both teams headed out into the
delights of Swansea to different curry houses and both returned to The Dragon well fed and in good humour and in wait of the singles draw. Softers arrived in time and the draw duly took place.
Prich laid the “trevorcast” to rest after its dramatic failure last year, but kept us all entertained having researched all 24 trevorers on google –certainly some amusing and interesting insights into those that appeared on the search engine!!
Another superb night’s entertainment with a twist.
The two captain’s decided on a team meal, well received by both parties; both teams headed out into the
delights of Swansea to different curry houses and both returned to The Dragon well fed and in good humour and in wait of the singles draw. Softers arrived in time and the draw duly took place.
Prich laid the “trevorcast” to rest after its dramatic failure last year, but kept us all entertained having researched all 24 trevorers on google –certainly some amusing and interesting insights into those that appeared on the search engine!!
Hampton Cement Victory
The 7½ - 4½ scoreline (15 – 9 Trevor points) happened,
but sadly for the ROW in the favour of the OHA leading to a resounding Trevor win.
This score did not actually reflect how much closer things really were. 8 matches went up the 18th (a Trevor session record) and with a few different end results the result may have gone the other way. The singles was the only session with a halved match throughout the Trevor.
Probably the two defining wins came in match four with Saintly taking the scalp of Dronny, and even bigger, Nicky Boy completing a successful Trevor with the ultimate scalp of Sagey. Since joining the Trevor, Sagey had until 2009 an exemplary singles record.
There is absolutely no doubt that ,since the originally controversial introduction (“killergate”!!) of full handicap for the singles, anybody can now beat anybody. This, I believe, will make the singles more interesting in the future. Four matches were won by lower handicaps, four by higher – LT.
Singles Scores OHA 15 ROW 9
but sadly for the ROW in the favour of the OHA leading to a resounding Trevor win.
This score did not actually reflect how much closer things really were. 8 matches went up the 18th (a Trevor session record) and with a few different end results the result may have gone the other way. The singles was the only session with a halved match throughout the Trevor.
Probably the two defining wins came in match four with Saintly taking the scalp of Dronny, and even bigger, Nicky Boy completing a successful Trevor with the ultimate scalp of Sagey. Since joining the Trevor, Sagey had until 2009 an exemplary singles record.
There is absolutely no doubt that ,since the originally controversial introduction (“killergate”!!) of full handicap for the singles, anybody can now beat anybody. This, I believe, will make the singles more interesting in the future. Four matches were won by lower handicaps, four by higher – LT.
Singles Scores OHA 15 ROW 9
Game 1
Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7 Game 8 Game 9 Game 10 Game 11 Game 12 |
Clacks
Leafy Toby Copey LT Joey Saint Nick Rich Kill Jules Hoody |
Softers
Lethal Prich Jack Woz Matt W Dronny Sagey Karlos Colin Kenny Big Dog |
OHA 1 up
OHA 1 up ROW 2&1 Halved OHA 3&2 ROW 5&4 OHA 1 up OHA 2 up OHA 8&6 Halved Halved ROW 1 up |
Overall Score OHA 36 ROW 24
This means two wins out of two from the retiring skip, Kill, who will be a contented man as he crosses the
Severn Bridge heading back home. Moreover, captaincy seemed to agree with him when playing singles golf as he remained unbeaten whilst in office.
This moved the OHA into an overall lead of 7½ - 6½.
Karlos presented the Trevor to said skip who announced that his successor would be Leafy, this appointment meaning a mouth-watering prospect of a Leafy v Karlos Trevor!!!
Bring this on !!
This means two wins out of two from the retiring skip, Kill, who will be a contented man as he crosses the
Severn Bridge heading back home. Moreover, captaincy seemed to agree with him when playing singles golf as he remained unbeaten whilst in office.
This moved the OHA into an overall lead of 7½ - 6½.
Karlos presented the Trevor to said skip who announced that his successor would be Leafy, this appointment meaning a mouth-watering prospect of a Leafy v Karlos Trevor!!!
Bring this on !!
2009 Playing Stats
Trevor’s Summary
Jules and the Wee Man remained unbeaten but just coming up short on a remarkable 100%; Jules came the closest to join the elusive band of fellow 100% trevorers only missing a short putt to win on the last.
Looking at the results and how they panned out, individual records can sometimes not actually paint a true picture. There are so many variables – tough draws every match will affect overall records, while easier match ups may give a false record of success.
Lord Trevor had a big say, for example, in the low points total from Woz as he held the spell on him in two close matches. LT can testify that Woz played well in both and on each occasion it was simply a couple more putts
held that made the difference (it always is a couple of putts when it comes to Woz's game - LT).
At the other end of the scale, in one of the final greensomes matches was four players struggling, with the victors being the one with the slightly less shocking moments – that is the Trevor, that is matchplay golf, that is amateur golf – a real liquorice allsorts!!
Jules record was based on a four week training camp before the Trevor; never has anybody been so well prepared!! Jules surely will return back to Oz and get his handicap chopped. His form in the UK certainly suggests a degree of
inevitability on this front. Nicky Boy and Saint both enjoyed success and may be in line for an adjustment in 2010. Copey returned to his stoical best, ironically though with no pre-Trevor form to suggest such success.
With the ROW, Jack proved strong off his revised handicap. Once again, another big annual turn around - from zero to hero, 2008 - 2009. Lethal and Big Dog came in rusty and this showed with two first day losses and two second day wins once the cobwebs were blown away.
I am sure Captain Karlos will remind them that a little pre-Trevor practice will make all the difference – Pete, of course, had a decent excuse having hastily returned from Down Under on business only seconds before the Trevor.
Dronny, showing glimmers of former past form and glory, still showed signs of rustiness at the end game, narrowly losing two matches on the last.
Kenny, as he suggested he may, found it tough off his new “tight” number but managed to salvage pride by holding off the might of Jules in the singles to record his first point of the weekend.
The records below are laid out as normal, % wins followed by points earned in brackets.
Jules and the Wee Man remained unbeaten but just coming up short on a remarkable 100%; Jules came the closest to join the elusive band of fellow 100% trevorers only missing a short putt to win on the last.
Looking at the results and how they panned out, individual records can sometimes not actually paint a true picture. There are so many variables – tough draws every match will affect overall records, while easier match ups may give a false record of success.
Lord Trevor had a big say, for example, in the low points total from Woz as he held the spell on him in two close matches. LT can testify that Woz played well in both and on each occasion it was simply a couple more putts
held that made the difference (it always is a couple of putts when it comes to Woz's game - LT).
At the other end of the scale, in one of the final greensomes matches was four players struggling, with the victors being the one with the slightly less shocking moments – that is the Trevor, that is matchplay golf, that is amateur golf – a real liquorice allsorts!!
Jules record was based on a four week training camp before the Trevor; never has anybody been so well prepared!! Jules surely will return back to Oz and get his handicap chopped. His form in the UK certainly suggests a degree of
inevitability on this front. Nicky Boy and Saint both enjoyed success and may be in line for an adjustment in 2010. Copey returned to his stoical best, ironically though with no pre-Trevor form to suggest such success.
With the ROW, Jack proved strong off his revised handicap. Once again, another big annual turn around - from zero to hero, 2008 - 2009. Lethal and Big Dog came in rusty and this showed with two first day losses and two second day wins once the cobwebs were blown away.
I am sure Captain Karlos will remind them that a little pre-Trevor practice will make all the difference – Pete, of course, had a decent excuse having hastily returned from Down Under on business only seconds before the Trevor.
Dronny, showing glimmers of former past form and glory, still showed signs of rustiness at the end game, narrowly losing two matches on the last.
Kenny, as he suggested he may, found it tough off his new “tight” number but managed to salvage pride by holding off the might of Jules in the singles to record his first point of the weekend.
The records below are laid out as normal, % wins followed by points earned in brackets.
OHA Team
Copey Jules Nick Saint Clacks LT Rich Hoody Joey Leafy Toby Kill |
% Wins
90 (4) 90 (4) 80 (4) 80 (4) 60 (3½) 60 (3½) 60 (4) 40 (1½) 40 (1½) 40 (3) 40 (1½) 30 (1½) |
ROW Team
Jack Big Dog Matt W Karlos Prich Dronny Lethal Sagey Woz Colin Chris Kenny Softers (1 game only) |
% Wins
70 (3½) 60 (3½) 60 (2½) 60 (2) 40 (2½)40 (2) 40 (1½) 40 (1½) 40 (1) 30 (2) 25 (1) 10 (1) 0 (0) |