PAUL STANFORD AT THE DOUBLE
For the second time in as many months, Paul Stanford won a winter knockout competition. Last month, he partnered Craige Taylor to victory in the Winter Pairs Trophy 2024-25. On Saturday 24th May, he won the Winter Singles Cup 2024-25. On both occasions, Ian Barber finished as runner-up.
In muggy conditions, it was a nervous start for both players. A duffed chip from Paul gifted the 1st hole to Ian, but a short, missed putt by Ian at the 2nd hole brough the match level.
It was then that unkind bounces began to intervene. First, Ian’s tee shot at the 3rd kicked on to land just short of the nettles and the bush at the back of the green. His stabbed recovery shot fell short of the green to allow Paul to take the hole. After two halved holes, it was Paul’s turn to land short of nettles and lose the 6th to Ian’s par.
Ian regained the lead at the 8th when his cut shot from a tricky position landed on the green to set up par. But Paul hit back at the 9th with par after Ian had found trees on the left.
Paul then rediscovered his putting touch to win the three holes on the back nine – 10th, 12th and 14th – at which he received shots. Ian’s up and down par from off the green at the 11th turned out to be the last time he won a hole.
It seemed that the 15th would prove to be decisive when Paul’s second shot landed pin-high and Ian was still 60yards short of the green. But Ian’s excellent wedge to four-foot led to a halved hole in par. At the 16th, both players landed short and to the right of the bunker, but Ian’s lofted wedge shot ran to the back of the green and his subsequent missed putt left Paul to cosy his ball hole side to win the match 3&2.
The covering photograph shows Paul Stanford proudly holding the Winter Singles Cup.
This match was going to be refereed by Ian Renhard, but his beloved Sunderland reached the EFL Championship Play-Off Final, and he wasn’t going to miss that. I stepped in.
Finally, thanks to the greenkeeping team for their presentation of the course. The greens in particular are looking good.
Deryck Hall
Co-ordinator