The final of the 2023 Senior Men’s VETs Trophy competition was contested on Tuesday 5th September between Ken Garbett and John Leach.
The weather was perfect and the course was in fantastic condition as the pair embarked on what would be an epic contest. Ken would have his work cut giving 15 shots to a sprightly John.
John won the toss and took the honour which he held for the whole of the front nine, building a six-shot lead by the turn. The highlight came on the 9th green where he holed a 35-footer for birdie (read this article again and it’ll be 40ft). The back 9 started with a win for each and a half on 11 to leave John six up with 6 to play – surely a formality from here!
John stuttered and Ken dug deep to produce a run of pars and then, on hole 16, he arrowed his trusty 4-hybrid across the water for a superb hole-in-one! John was now only 2up, Momentum was definitely with Ken who found the heart of the green with his tee shot on 17. With no shot on 18, it looked like we could be heading for extra holes! However, cometh the hour, cometh the man – John stood up and put his tee shot to the back of the 17th green. A tricky putt down the bank was negotiated leaving a 4-footer which he duly rolled in to win the hole and take the match 3&1.
Congratulations to John (pictured with his trophy) and Ken (holding on to as much of the hole-in-one bottle as he could!) the match was played in excellent spirit.
Thanks to Ian Renhard for refereeing and to all fellow competitors for making it such a great event.