Account of 1st round match between Mr D. R. Aspey and Mr P. Barnes

in the World Matchplay Last Hoorah Tourney

Thursday 6th March 2008 at Pulborough

 

 

 

A match worthy of the telling; a Kemptown classic as it swung both ways. One in which in the grandest traditions of Matchplay saw ding traded with dong, no quarter asked or given and at the end Mr Aspey was beaten fair and square 2&1.

 

The first 9 saw Mr Aspey ahead by 2 with the highlights coming in a good scramble on the long par 3 6th. In previous games the winner of this hole was to lose the overall match. Bugger! He also managed a  birdie on the second hardest hole 7th (441 yds). On the next par 3 both were just off with Barnes well short with his second and Aspey 5' away thinking another hole was his. A dangerous thought in matchplay as Barnes nailed the putt and left Aspey with a putt which got trickier the longer he looked at it. The putt was made but a distinct feeling came over A. that B. would not roll over that easily. In the words of the late Dave Marr he would be a " tough ol' dog to keep under the porch". And sure enough B. took the next 3 holes including the best 3wood B. had ever hit to the long par 3 12th which sailed over the sea of heather to within 10'. His follow through was Palmeresque as it finished with him stepping off the tee box in hot pursuit. Honours were even on the next with both drives on the hard 14th finding their target. B. then appeared to hit a bush with a well timed 5 iron only to find it had wriggled free but on a bony lie. Well a 3 putt from A. and B. getting a stroke it was 2 up to Mr B. with his dander pointing northwards and Mr A. pondering the unthinkable. Paul took the next after Aspey finds the pond guarding the green and that made it DORMIE 3. A quantum of solace came as Aspey took the 16th after another one of Barnes' straight long drives ran out of fairway and into the heather. Like the proverbial widow whose clutches you try in vain to avoid, the heather lures you in and won't let you free.

 

The 17th was halved and there was the match. Congratulations to Paul, i wish you well in the next round. Should you make it to the final (which is inevitable following the way you played today) i will be honoured to don the Oddjob bowler and caddy for you, sir. To caddy for you, sir to caddy for you, sir.