Juniors NHL campaign off to a flying start

Another year; another season; another North Herts League campaign.

After last year's first ever NHL victory for BSGC Juniors would complacency set in for the new season; would the thought of winning 2 years on the trot faze our Juniors? Indeed, would we be up to the challenge? Read on.

For the first match against Hadley Wood on Saturday 15th May Junior organiser, head honcho and general all-round good guy Graham Oram decided to "blood" 3 debutantes (and this is nothing to do with being presented to Her Maj). Step forward messrs John Hopkins, Joe Mortimer and Will Robinson.

Not a bad day. Sun trying to shine but with a frisky breeze to remind us that this is still only Spring. First up the pairing of Levi Smith and James Sandford (now playing off scratch I don't mind telling you). Two perfect tee shots straight down the middle and then a game of  "I can get inside you on the green". Levi played to 3 feet. Not to be outdone James played his 2nd inside that. The inevitable 2 birdies followed. Plus two opponents who must have wondered what they had let themselves in for. After 5 holes Levi and James were 5 up and the birdies were flying in from everywhere (and I am not talking about swallows here). Needless to say they ran out comfortable winners, 7 and 6, with the full 4 points in the bag.

Next came Lewis Chalk and the first debutante, chatty Will Robinson. Lewis would not like to talk about his tee shot but he would like to talk you through his second which he miraculously put on the green from some ridculous position for a remarkable par and a win. The paring won the 2nd, the 3rd, the 4th, the zzzzzzzzzzz,(sorry, dropped off there) and the 9th to go 9 up after 9 holes. Debutante Will, incidentally, parred the 7th, 8th and 9th. They then relaxed (hey! who wouldn't) and lost 3 holes which left them in danger of losing the back 9. A bit of wake-up mixture and they won the last 3 holes to gain 3 1/2 points.

The third match featured the next debutante, John Hopkins, partnering Max Westcott who seems to be able to walk on water these days. Their start was, shall we say, more sedate. They were only 1 up after 4 holes. But then it all started to happen. With Max playing his usual immaculate golf and John showing no first-match nerves and belying his handicap and age (and with the Hopkins golfing genes flowing through his veins), the two romped to a comfortable victory to take all 4 points. A current star and a star in the making.

Last to go was the pairing of Tom Olley, looking immaculately attired as always, partnering our third debutante, big-hitting Joe Mortimer. I don't know how Graham does it but he does have the knack of putting together some inspiring partnerships, and this was certainly one of them. Two totally unflappable players having fun, and comprehensively outplaying their opponents. They did allow the Hadley Wood duo to win the last couple of holes (the match having already been decided well before then) to take the point for the back 9. So, another 3 points in the bag.

The eventual score was 14 1/2 : 1 1/2. Although everybody played well I am sure our more seasoned players will not mind my singling out the 3 new boys, John, Joe and Will for special mention. All three acquitted themselves with great aplomb and no mean skill. They settled in well and gave the team that added dimension of some higher handicaps to balance our single-figure players. However, judging by Saturday's performance, it is surely only a matter of time before they join that illustrious group with single-figure handicaps of their own.