CAGU made it through to the English Boys County Finals after winning the Midland 10 counties qualifier earlier in the year. The event took place at Teignmouth Golf Club in Devon, on the August bank holiday week with 3 days of 36 holes competition consisting of 18 holes foursomes in the morning and 18 holes of singles match play in the afternoon.
The mighty CAGU were up against Kent who were representing the south-east, Gloucestershire representing the South-West and finally Yorkshire, representing the North. Our team consisted of Captain Joe Austin, Sam Marshall, Oliver Toyer, Ellis Kerr, Sam Hewson, Sam Arthur and Lewis Karim.
First up we faced Kent, our boys came out the blocks firing with Marshal and Toyer, Austin and Arthur winning their foursomes matches. Joe Austin also hit an incredible ace on hole 11. To take a 2-1 lead going into the singles, wins for Marshal, Austin, Hewson and a half for
Toyer saw CAGU win 5.5–3.5.
Next up was Gloucestershire and a tense battle commenced. The foursomes were even with a win for Marshall and Toyer with a half for Austin and Arthur, so all to play for. The afternoon was tight with a win for Marshall and Hewson followed by a good half by Kerr so us just lost out on the final match going down 5-4.
With the results going our way, the outcome was still in our hands if we could pull out all the stops and beat Yorkshire. The In the foursomes Toyer and Marshal continued their great form with another win, but Yorkshire lead at the half-way stage 2-1, the singles we found hard work but fought to the end with a win for Austin and a half for Marshall, but Yorkshire ran out deserved winners scoring 6.5 points to our 2.5.
The team did fantastically well mixing with the elite of English U18 golfers and holding more than their own. All the other teams commented on our sportsmanship and brilliant golf, which was a testament to the boys, Well done boys!! A special mention goes to Sam Marshall who as joint leader of the tournament with 5.5 points out of a total of 6 points.