Jamboree week started with windy 60mph winds, so practice day ended up with the team walking the course only before returning to the hotel after the welcome reception and dinner.
Day 1 saw Midlands achieve a great half verse North. Strong opponents who pipped us at the post by 1/2 a point last year, with that rebound off the clubhouse wall to keep the ball in play. The morning foursomes’ pairings met strong opposition and even their captain commented that not being able to play a practice round was a huge disadvantage to us. So, to lose 2/1 gave us hope.
Winds had dropped by a third but that still meant gutsy 40mph and unfortunately, we also had some squally showers.
The afternoon singles were led out by Sophie Beardsall with a great win against Cath Rawthore 6/4. Sally Shayler battled hard against Karen Jobling to secure a half, then came Sarah Cranton who won 2up against Sharon Eales with that dogged determination she is known for.
Rooky Karen Haynes followed and she didn't let the morning loss get in the way, beating Lisa Chrimes 3/2.
Jenny Deeley was out number 5 against Lynn Wass with a match that was so close all the way round and on the 16th, when we thought Jenny was going to go 1 up after playing what was thought to be safe into the middle of the green and Lynn went in the bunker with no green to work with, Lynn stuffed it to inches, leaving Jenny with a daunting putt uphill with the wind, but too long and it would roll into that bunker! 1 down 2 to play up 17 with tricky downwind chips on to the green, Jenny was so unlucky when her ball ran to the back and Lynn slightly closer got the right bounce and finished closer. Jenny's disappointment was evident as she was hugged by Captain Julie to lose 2/1.
The final game was Lisa Cullinan v Sara Spencer. Two well-known opponents, and did she have a battle on her hands. Every time she thought she was going to get back Sara would produce a birdie! Losing 5/4 was a valiant effort against an opponent who had played the course in the morning and had a practice round on the Saturday.
So, onto day two v Scotland who beat the South 6 games to 3 to earn their first point. Foursomes gained two halves and a win.
Temperatures increased and warranted the show of legs and arms rather than woolly hats with a change in wind direction to SWS and gusts dropped to 10-15mph rather than the 40-60mph endured over the last two days. The locals adjusted to this change quickly whilst we continued to hit greens but then roll through and end up needing to chip!
Sophie led the way with a great win over Alison Davidson, but no matter how hard the next four battled Scotland were relentless and used every ounce of their links golf experience to win their matches. Sarah brought up the rear and what a battle that was against Hilary Laughland. In the closing holes we saw a great up and down out the bunker on 15 from Sarah, Hilary stuffed it to a foot on 16 which had an impossible pin position to win, so onto the 17th and Sarah 1 up there were two great drives and decision needed to be made to go for it in two or lay up to avoid a grassy knoll. Hilary went first and just caught the edge of it. You could then see the debate in Sarah’s head of shall I shan't I. She did and with a fabulous shot ended up pin high just off the green. A tough shot out the rough for Hilary meant Sarah walked away with a 2/1 win. So, we finished with a narrow defeat 5/4 overall. A valiant effort from all players that left the team a little deflated, but after the Team talk, all were raring to go on the final day with South as our opponents.
Final day started bright and sunny but wind back to 35mph gusts. Pairing for the foursomes against South stayed the same with Sophie and Sally out first against the formidable opponents of Jackie Foster and Julia Brook. Unfortunately, a loss 4/3 as Sally damaged her wrist and although she strapped it up was feeling it on impact. Great wins from Helen and Karen 2/1 against Aileen Greenfield and Karen Sykes and Sarah and Lisa 4/2 v Maggie Whittet and Amanda Mayne.
The wind was not abating and the skies were overcast. Sophie again led the way and what a half she achieved against Katherine Russell. No 2 was Karen v long hitter Jackie Foster losing 4/2. Helen was 3rd out against Julia Brook winning 5/4. Then came Lisa against Amanda Mayne whose history in the game speaks for itself. A valiant effort losing 3/2.
From the buggy we then realise the Scotland VP is in our midst and very interested in how we are doing. On enquiry our result is critical to their success or not. They need us to win or at least half overall for them to secure the trophy after a 15-year drought.
Jenny is playing Maggie Whittet and all way round it is 1 up, level, 1 down, level. It's nail-biting stuff and such a battle until Maggie on the 17th hits the green and rolls in the birdy short putt taking them to level. Up 18 and she does it again to win 1 up. Nothing you can do about that but we all felt for Jenny after such a battle.
So once again it's all about the final match of Sarah v Aileen Greenfield and again an up and down game all round, putts rolling in from everywhere. 17th tee shots down the middle, Sarah bunker right 50yds from green, Aileen 100 yards short and mishits chip, bunker shot after an awful lie to back of green with back spin, but a long putt which she puts close but not a gimmie, Aileen great chip but not a gimmie. Aileen to putt first and skimmed the hole whilst Sarah's dropped in. We are one up going down 18 so at this point Scotland now know we are going half this match at least but with the final putt on the green Sarah won 2up. Overall result 4.5 each.
Scotland are the champions on count back of games won of the 6 sessions of play by half a point to South. A fabulous week of golf, great camaraderie between our team and with the other teams with many players knowing each other, not only from this yearly regional championship, but from playing at the highest level for their country and the internationals.