THE Channel Islands are out to maintain their impressive record against Hampshire this weekend as the annual match is held at L’Ancresse for the first time.
‘This is only the third time the match has been played and it is a bit of a season warm-up for the Hampshire team, but one they will take very seriously, even more so because they have not won it yet,’ said Dave Rowlinson, the CI team captain.
The CI won the inaugural clash held at Grouville two years ago and last year held their hosts to a 6-6 draw at Blackmoor GC.
Hampshire have signalled their intent to end their hosts’ unbeaten run this weekend by naming an extremely strong side, including Ryan Henley, the winner of the county championship when it was last held at L’Ancresse two years ago.
He is joined by a further five plus handicap players, one scratch and captain Andy Bow, who is off one.
The Guernsey Junior team will caddy for the visitors.
‘We are all looking forward to the match this coming weekend… hopefully my team this year will avenge the defeat at Royal Jersey in 2007 and the draw at Blackmoor last year,’ Bow said.
‘Ryan Henley [pictured], Martin Young and Neil Raymond were all members of the Hants team that came runners-up in the 2008 EGU County Finals,’ he added, to emphasise his team’s capabilities.
The home team, which has seen reigning CI junior champion Sam Crenan come in for fellow Jerseyman James Birch since it was originally announced in February, is a strong one.
‘We have four plus handicaps and three scratch – it is pretty much the strongest eight we could have,’ said Rowlinson, who selected the side along with Jersey team captain Steve Bowden.
Three Sarnians make the cut – current CI champion Garry McFarlane, Jamie Blondel and Guernsey’s best ever player Bobby Eggo.
The Royal Guernsey man, who remains one of only two Hampshire county players to play in the Walker Cup – the other being Justin Rose, will partner Gavin O’Neill in tomorrow afternoon’s foursomes.
McFarlane and Blondel, both from L’Ancresse GC, will join forces in that session.
‘They know each other in that [club] respect, so it obviously makes sense for them to play together,’ Rowlinson said.
Tomorrow’s four foursomes encounters (2pm tee off) will be followed by the concluding eight singles rubbers on Sunday, which start at 8am.
Rowlinson added that the match is a good chance for the local players to show the Hampshire selectors what they are capable of.
‘Three of the Jersey guys play quite regularly for the county and, of course, Bobby has done in the past, but this is an opportunity to impress,’ he said.Hampshire, IOW and Channel Islands Golf Union: L’Ancresse hosts match
Article posted on 3rd April, 2009 - 2.29pm
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