This year the tie was played on the New Course on Sunday afternoon in misty but otherwise ideal conditions.
Wentworth Juniors fielded an extremely strong team which boasted an England under 18s player among their number. On average Wentworth were slightly older and had slightly lower handicaps but it was hoped that home advantage would assist the SALJGA team in the 4-ball better ball, scratch competition.
The Wentworth boys started strongly and after 6 holes were up in all 4 ties. Captain James White partnered by Dan Bones found the going extremely tough against Wentworth’s number one pairing of James Boase and Tom Berry whose string of birdies kept James and Dan on the back foot; Wentworth eventually running out winners by 3 and 2.
Sean Thompson and Ewan Gray knitted together extremely well as a team and their strong finish realised a win on the 17th by 2 and 1 over Curtis Griffiths and Aaron Bliss.
Sean Clark and Matt Bones struggled initially but some excellent play in the final third of the match, particularly by Matt who finished level par overall, resulted in a win by 3 and 2 over Charlie Cloke and Liam Crawford.
The only live match left on the course was the second pairing of Alan Tulleth and Iain Watson who went down the 18th one down against Wentworth Captain Sam Pendlelbury and Simon Clement. A half on the final hole would have meant a victory for SALJGA but they were denied by resolute play from the Wentworth pair and therefore the match was halved.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable match with a fitting result and some excellent golf played by all participants. Next year SALJGA will travel to the green fields of Wentworth to try and go one better and return with a victory.