Hampshire regain English counties’ crown after 21 years

Hampshire are the English Men’s County Champions – recapturing the title after 21 years with top quality team golf at Trevose, Cornwall.

The last time they won was in 1996 when Justin Rose was in their team. It’s been a long road back to the top in county golf – especially for playing captain Martin Young who has just completed his eighth County Finals.

News of the victory filtered back to Young as Tom Robson, Ryan Harmer and Billy McKenzie delivered the crucial 2.5 points in the singles to take the team over the line. Matt Wilcox and Colin Roope made it even better for Hampshire when they won their games to complete a 6.5-2.5 win over Staffordshire – and give the team a complete set of three wins in the championship.

Young confessed to tears as he played the 17th and he was uncharacteristically speechless afterwards, although he did say: “This is so weird. I am so unbelievably happy.”

His team went into the final day knowing a half would give them the title, but they wanted to win their third match outright. They grabbed the advantage in the foursomes with one big win from Young and partner Wilcox, who were three-under par when they finished 7/6; and one snatched point from Billy McKenzie and Tom Robson. McKenzie knocked their second on the 18th to 18in from the cup to set up a birdie and a 1up win.

Ryan Harmer quickly followed him with a grandstand finish against England international Gian-Marco Petrozzi on the 18th. Harmer had been two up with four to play, was pulled back to all square by Staffordshire birdies on 15 and 17 – but holed a 20-footer on the last for birdie and a 1up win.

McKenzie was close behind battling Jack Gaunt, another England international, in a tight match which was peppered with birdies. Gaunt took the game down 18 when he birdied the 17th to get back to all square and the players went on to share the point providing Hampshire’s winning half to secure the title.

“I knew everyone was well up so it made it easier coming down the stretch,” said McKenzie. “But getting the winning half point is fantastic, especially against Jack who is a great player. I’ve had a good week, but it’s just great that I can play my part for the team,” he added.

Wilcox was Hampshire’s biggest points scorer with five wins from six starts, while McKenzie and Robson both had 4.5 points from six games.

Final placings: 1 Hampshire, 2 Somerset, 3 Staffordshire, 4 Northumberland.

Image courtesy of Leaderboard Photography