Harey Cup 2013 - Day 1

So, after many months of waiting and much banter flowing between the participants, the 2013 Harey Cup finally got underway at 11am yesterday, with team captain & organiser Richie Munro smiting his ball down to the fairway.

As a group of 10, we set up as a pair, followed by two fourballs, with matchplay the order of the day - three points were up for grabs towards the team trophy plus there is an individual Stableford comp running as well, so plenty to keep us occupied.

The two captains, Richie and Matt, took the single slots in what could be described as a cautious approach to the order of play. Next up Julian & Phil (representing Team Matt) took on Nick & Charlie (from the Team Richie stable). Last but not least, James & Tom (Team Matt) would play Andy & Mark (Team Richie). With some high handicaps amongst the group, plenty of shots were dished out despite the 3/4 of difference being in play. The weather was perfect - not too hot with a few clouds around to keep us company and the course was, as you would expect, on fantastic condition.

Let battle commence.

#1 Campo America

As it transpired, the pairings turned out to be quite close, despite some early distance being established. In the clash of the captains, Matt was never in trouble, gaining an early lead which he wouldn't relinquish and he put the first point on the board for his team with a 3&2 win.

Match 2, with the Hare brothers locking horns (and both undoubtedly still smarting from their drubbing the previous day) would be a bit closer, Team Matt holding a slim 1 hole lead coming off the 15th. Two holes later and it was all over, the anguished scream from Hare Snr informing most of Andalucia of the quality of his tee shot. Julian and The Spy prevailed 3&1 to guarantee a first day lead for Team Matt.

In the final rubber, James & Tom got off to a flyer, taking advantage of some unexpectedly poor golf from Andy & Mark, opening up a three hole lead after just four holes. Team Matt were pegged back by the turn, with both members of Team Richie contributing to get the match all square at the turn. A fine par from Andy on #10 put daylight between the teams, though this would be a short-lived lead as Team Matt won two on the trot to regain the lead. Nip & tuck was certainly the theme, the quality of golf variable. 

Team Matt would eventually triumph 2-up, the victory effectively sealed on #17 when both Andy & Mark leaked their tee shots right and lost balls whilst James, despite slicing his left towards the trees, found the ball and chopped it out to the fairway again, allowing him to sneak the hole with a bogey 5.

So there we are, a fine day's golf and a commanding 3 point lead for Team Matt ahead of today's matches on Campo Europa. Tom takes on Charlie in Match 1, James & Phil will play Nick & Andy in Match 2 whilst Matt & Julian clash with Mark & Richie in Match 3 - report to follow tomorrow

#6 Campo America

Green #18 Campo America from fairway

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