On a beautiful early Autumn evening, the final of this year’s island Fourball was played at Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club. The final was contested between Dave MacToldridge and Dave Vale from the home club and last year’s finalists Kev Garrett from Freshwater and Kev MacArthur from Westridge.
The Two Dave’s started steadily and won the first two holes and maintained their lead into the back nine, but the two Kev’s played the better golf to bring the match back to all square at the 14th. The 15th,16th & 17th were all halved, so the match went to the 18th all square. What followed was golf that would not of been out of place at The Ryder Cup. Kev G found the green at the par 5 18th in 2 and was looking at a certain birdie and possibly an eagle. Dave McT hit his approach shot inside Kev’s but had played one shot more. Kev putted up, just missing his eagle putt, but was a conceded birdie. Dave had a 15 foot putt to tie the hole and take the match to extra holes. Dave bravely holed the putt and the match moved to the 19th. All 4 players hit good drives. Dave McT hit a great approach to 10 feet & Kev G then hit an shot slightly closer. Dave McT then holed his putt, back to back birdies on 18 & 19 to put the pressure on Kev G. He duly holed the putt to take the match to the 20th. All four players kept up the high standard by hitting the green, but advantage to the Dave’s as they were both close to the hole. Kev G had a long putt across the green for a two. He stepped up an holed it another put!! So, the pressure was back on the Dave’s. McT was first with a downhill left to right putt of about 10 feet, but it was never anywhere else, straight in the hole. Amazingly, the last 3 holes all halved in birdies. With the light fading fast, the match moved to the 21st. Kev McA had a shot though on this hole, could he take advantage. Both pairs hit 1 good tee shot and 1 indifferent drive. Unfortunately Kev McA lost his ball after his 2nd shot which left Kev G against the 2 Dave’s. Kev hit his 2nd into the greenside bunker and took two to get out and two putted for a 6. Dave V hit his 2nd just to the left of the green and left himself 3 shots for the match. He chipped up to 5 feet and the Kev’s conceded the match. Never was the saying no one deserved to lose the match more relevant. A great final. Congratulations to Dave Vale and Dave McToldridge.
