A WALK IN THE PARK
There are times when the result of a match is virtually known after a few holes. The final of the Pairs Winter Knockout 2024-25 was such an occasion as Paul Stanford and Craige Taylor beat Ian Barber and Rich Alsop by an 8&6 margin.
The opening hole set the scene with a prodigious drive from Craige bisecting the fairway almost 30 yards ahead of playing partner and opponents alike. His net par won the hole, and he followed it up with another net par at the 2nd hole to go 2 up. Then Paul extended the lead with a par at the 3rd before momentum was temporarily halted at the 4th with a half in par.
It was a temporary respite as net pars by Craige to net bogeys by Rich at the 5th and 6th moved the match to a point where any comeback was unlikely. Paul’s winning net pars at the 8th and 9th meant that he and Craige were 7up at the turn.
At this point, Ian and Rich were resigned to their fate, but Rich did claw one back at the 10th before a brace of pars by Paul at the 11th and 12th ended the match.
The cover photo shows all four players, L-R: Paul, Craige, Ian and Rich on the 1st tee ahead of the match.
Deryck Hall
Co-ordinator