Day Two - foursomes (morning)

With an early start and a glorious sunny day, Team SFG donned their red jumpers and headed for the first tee eager to claw back the match deficit.

TEAM SFG take full advantage of some early morning putting

Philip Walton & Gordon Brand Jnr. (PRO) win 2 up against Oscar Sharpe (+2) & Fred Clatworthy (7) (TEAM SFG)

Sharpe and Clatworthy got off to an absolute flyer of a start in the opening foursomes game with TEAM SFG going 5 holes up early on. However Philip Walton and Gordon Brand Junior had other ideas and with a series of stunning approach shots and clinical putts went on a devastating run of holes eventually turning the match round to win 2 up on the 17th.

Gordon Brand Jnr. indulges in some 'mind-games' with his opponents before his morning foursome victory.

“I’m gutted, I thought we had them, but that’s why they call them the Pro’s I guess!” – Fred Clatworthy (Golf Monthly competition winner)

Jim Payne & Alison Nicholas (PRO) win 5 & 3 against Scott Campbell (Scratch) & Andy Wool (2) (TEAM SFG)

Jim Payne continued his superb run of form in the morning game with his partner Alison Nicholas showing a stunning short-game to close out the match in style.

Alison Nicholas displays her dazzling short game

A relaxed Jim Payne keeps up his 100% record

Ricky Willison & Gary Wolstenholme (PRO) lost 2 & 1 against Adam Carson (+2) & Ian Davidson (7) (SFG)

In a closely fought game, Team SFG took full advantage of the extra shots Ian Davidson had combining briliantly to give Peter McEvoy a glimmer of hope for the afternoon singles.

Last minute tips from McEvoy prove to be vital

Adam Carson was once again in scintlinating form helped by an extremely fired up Davidson and despite Ricky’s best attempt to gee-up his partner Team SFG came away with a valuable point.

Roger Chapman & Paul Way (PRO) lost 8 & 7 against Holly Clyburn (+2) & Liam Hannan (8) (TEAM SFG)

This proved to be the match everyone was talking about over lunch. Local favourite Holly Clyburn and Irelands Liam Hannan simply couldn’t put a foot wrong in anything they did and produced the most one-sided match of the entire event. Way and Chapman had no answer to the long hitting Clyburn who took full advantage of playing from the red tees and when they did produce moments of brilliance the extra shots from Hannan scuppered them.

“It was simply amazing, Holly and myself gelled beautifully and we were just holing everything” - Liam Hannan

Roger Chapman sees the funny side after their emphatic defeat by the amateurs.

John McHenry & Steve Richardson (PRO) halved against Richard Latham (+1) & Graham Smith (8) (TEAM SFG)

Team SFG had fought hard and were dormie 2 approaching the 17th tee and with Steve Richardson driving his ball into the rough they felt the game was theirs for the taking.

Graham Smith continues to put the pressure on the Pro Team

However disaster struck Smiths tee shot and he also did the same providing ten minutes of madness when balls were hacked out sideways, pitches then over hit and then Peter McEvoy desperately providing advice to Latham who once again found himself in the bushes at the back of the green. A brilliant chip shot from McHenry ended Team SFG’s hopes of finishing the game on that hole and with the game all square going down the last the fairways were lined with nervous spectators.

Local knowledge proved vital in this close encounter

McHenry hit a perfect drive from the 18th tee only to watch Latham (whose home course is Woodhall Spa) block his shot into the deep rough. McEvoy was on hand in an instant to locate the ball and offer advice to Smith in the best way of moving the ball forward but to no avail as his wedge shot could only move the ball a matter of feet. Latham hacked out but a superb fairway shot from Richardson meant that this game was going to be halved.

Day Two score (after foursomes)  – Team SFG 3½  – Pro Challenge Team 6½

Day Two afternoon singles report continues - click here