The County 1st Team have won The Channel League for the second year in succession, clinching the title in a rain delayed encounter against Gwent at Cotswold Hills.
Going into the match knowing that any kind of victory would be good enough, the team wasted no time in establishing an advantage, taking a 4-1 lead into "lunch" after the morning foursomes.
Due to heavy rain and mist the start of the match had to be delayed by two hours until 11am, so lunch was actually taken as a pit-stop on the terrace before heading straight back out for the afternoon singles.
The quick turnaround certainly didn't work against us though, and when Jake Phillips (Minchinhampton) rolled in a 50 foot putt on the final green to win the fourth match of the afternoon singles the trophy was retained.
The fact that Jake's putt rolled so smoothly across that green reflected brilliantly on the greens staff at Cotswold Hills. Despite the recent deluge, the course was presented in absolutely superb condition, and both teams were looked after superbly throughout the day both inside and outside of the clubhouse.
Over the last two seasons we have built a squad of great depth with an ideal blend of youth and experience. The players commitment to the cause has been quite superb, and that has been rewarded over the two years with nine wins, three halves and not a single defeat in any of our twelve Channel League matches.
The last time we won this title in successive years was twenty six years ago in 1992 & 1993. That team had a very similar feel about it to our current one; a number of players capable of playing at the very highest level of amateur golf blending perfectly with an even higher number of top class County golfers.
Three times in a row? Now that really would be something!!