Match Report – Men’s Friendly away vs Burnham and Berrow 27th April 2025

Sunday 27th May saw a team of 12 players from RND’S Mens section take on a team from Burnham and Berrow on the Somerset Links in a 4bbb match.

The weather was truly fine with not a cloud in the sky and warm spring air. The course was presented in immaculate condition. The course tracks like a traditional links with 9 holes “out” and 9 holes “in” with beautiful views of the surrounding Somerset countryside on one side of the course and fabulous views of the North Somerset and North Devon coastlines on the other.

After a warm welcome from our hosts and such a wonderful setting the RND team was eager to get out on the links.

The first match featured RND stalwarts Chris Hampton and Bob Colwill take on the Match and Club Captains at Burnham. After a nip and tuck first few holes Bob managed to make a good birdie on the Par 5, 7th to win the hole and a great iron into the Par 3, 9th from Bob again saw the RND pair go 2 up at the turn. However, the consistent Ball striking of the Burnham pair was too much for Bob and Chris and the lead had slipped back to 1 down by the 15th and a standard par from the Burnham pair on the 17th was enough to take the match 2up. L

Match 2 featured in form Jo Worthington and Josh Taylor, with Jo spotting 7 and 5 shots or so to the Burnham pair. It was an uphill battle for the RND pair from the start losing holes 1 & 2 to nice play and the dreaded “par with a shot”. Jo and Josh played well but were up against a Burnham pair on form and found themselves 4 down at the turn with any decent play scuppered by equally good play by the Burnham pair but embellished always with that annoying shot given. On the back 9 the Burnham Pair put on the afterburners and drained 50, 40 and 30 putts on the back 9, with the 30-footer enough to take the match on the 13th 6up. L

Match 3 featured RND titan Olly Tanton and Matt Arnold. Both low handicap players the match set up for a great battle as the Burnham pair were also low handicap players. When you have the ball striking of Olly and Matt, the pure links of Burnham and Berrow can be an inspiring place to play and so it proved with the pair winning a good match 3 and 2. W

Representing Match 4 for RND was Sam Keyte and Ian Johnston. Sam and Ian have been a strong pairing for a while now, but they were up against it in this match from the outset the oppos making gross and net birdies on hole 1 and 2 to go 2 down after 2. Hard play throughout the round was not enough with the Burnham pair in form and the RND pair could never get a hole back with the Burnham pair winning the match 4 & 3. L

Match 5 featured RND team regulars Dean Willoughby and Mike Colwill. Mike and Dean have been another experienced pairing within the men’s squad, and they certainly brought their experience to bear. Having won the first with a par, the 3rd was taken with a birdie from Dean. With the RND pair 2 up early the match continued all the way in a nip and tuck fashion, with the Burnham pair never able to get back two holes despite some great golf played. When the 17th was halved in par the RND boys stood on the 18th tee 1 up and a standard Par 4 was enough to win the hole and take the match 2up. W

The final match featured veteran Gary Fisher paired with Mike Ford. Having been matched up with Burnhams “slowest pair” the grind was too much and the RND pair lost convincingly 6 down. L

The outside of the clubhouse at Burnham and Berrow is a lovely place to sit when the Sun is shining, and enjoying a post round libation with our opponents and a good old chinwag as the results of the matches came in, the disappointment of losing the match was soothed by the friendliness and camaraderie between the two teams.

The post round meal was also a fine affair with Roast beef and all the “trimmings”, Chocolate Brownie and Ice Cream followed by speeches and congratulations. Many thanks for hosting us, to our friends from Burnham and Berrow Golf Cub we look forward to welcoming you to the home fixture at RND next year!

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