The rescheduled Foursomes Championship was won in fine style yesterday by Ed Dimambro and George Howard of the Gog Magog Golf Club. The event was postponed back in April because the course was waterlogged, but yesterday the sun shone down for most of the day.
The Gog Magog pair won convincingly by nine shots with a tremendous score of 139 (-5) around one of the most difficult courses in the County Union. George has been in fine form of late and broke the course record on the Gog Magog Wandlebury course with a 64. He now holds the amateur records on both Gog Magog courses.
Ed too has had his moments recently by winning the amateur Silver Salver in the County Open along with the John Durman Handicap Trophy at the same event. Their 2 rounds contained 9 birdies and only 4 bogeys. It is their 2nd Foursomes title having last won it in 2022 around their own course.
Runners up were their playing partners Richard Southall of Saffron Walden and Teddy Hall of Gog Magog. Richard was the defending champion but had to find a replacement when James Sandford, who was his winning partner last year, dropped out. They scored 148 which would normally be close to a winning score around this course.
The best net score was won by Ashley Sizer and Ryan Woods with 147 net.
It was great to see many of our top juniors competing with nearly all of the team members who recently did so well at the England Boys County finals. Also playing was 11 year old Oliver Smith with his young partner James Matthews both members of Saffron Walden and Gog Magog. Oliver plays off 2 handicap and James off 3.9 and they scored an impressive 78 gross in their opening round.
In contrast, yours truly 77 years of age playing with Terry Ryan in his 60’s, so what a great sport we play when two youngsters can compete on the same level terms with 2 old men, and nearly beat them!
Many thanks to manager Anthony and the Ely City Golf Club on preparing a very playable course on the day and to the clubhouse staff for excellent hospitality and service.
Next year’s Foursomes Championship will be held at the Links, Newmarket Golf Club on the 27th April.