JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT TEAM SHINE IN INTER INSULAR
Guernsey took a four man junior development team for the first time to Jersey at the weekend to play against the reds. The Guernsey team of Noah Davy, Lewis O’Brien, Shay Goddard and Dan Troop played fourballs on Saturday followed by singles on Sunday off handicap.
The idea was to give the players a taste of playing in an inter insular on a new course to help prepare them for the fixture in the years ahead. The boys were a welcome and key part of the whole group at the weekend providing invaluable support to the first team and this support was reciprocated with the senior team cheering their fellow greens on when they finished their matches..
The standard of golf from the development team was of the very highest quality.
In the Saturday fourballs Noah Davy joined up with Dan Troop against Jacob Townsend and Chloe Cadoret. Dan very kindly stepped in as a last minute replacement for Max Raffray. He has been a stalwart of Junior golf on the Island as well as an excellent player for many years. The boys were giving away plenty of shots and it was always going to be tough for them but they played some fabulous golf. After looking to be down and out at the turn they went on an incredible run of three birdies in five holes down the stretch. Noah is developing into some player and has a fantastic short game to compliment a hugely improved long game. The greens dovetailed brilliantly and eventually secured a 1up victory which they thoroughly enjoyed.
In the second match super talented Shay Goddard joined up with the youngest player in the group, ten year old Lewis O’Brien. Shay enjoyed his start to the weekend with an eagle at the par five 6th during the practice round in the morning. They were up against Ben Carvalho and Aiden Wilson. Lewis was playing from the yellow tees which was a considerable step up for him off the tee. Rather than intimidate him, it simply inspired him, supported by his older team mate, he played stunning golf, regularly out driving his older opponents and showing an incredible touch on and around the greens. The greens won a great match 4&3 and Lewis was around 7 over par gross with his own ball, a stunning effort.
The singles matches on day two saw more superb golf from the development team. Noah Davy had another great day and was very impressive in his 4&3 win. Shay Goddard battled hard but went down 5&4. Meanwhile Dan Troop was having an extraordinary day. He was giving away plenty of shots but had to play out of his skin to secure a one up victory. He would have scored 44 points if he was playing stableford!
The last junior out was Lewis O’Brien. The Hampshire u12 star has become a talisman for the Guernsey Junior team. Everyone from both teams was out to watch his classic encounter with Aiden Wilson and we got a glimpse into inter island golf in the future. Aiden has got a wonderful swing and ball striking skills to match but Lewis stepped up and went to to toe with his older opponent. Both were hitting bombs and hit big drives down 17. Lewis made a stunning par with a brilliant lag putt from off the green much to the delight of the watching greens. He then kept his composure to close out the match on the 18th for the most popular win of the weekend and a comprehensive win for the greens with only one loss in the whole series.
The addition of the development teams was a great success and we look forward to the same format again next year.