Ryde Golfers Narrowly Fail To Reign In Spain

It was a case of 'so near and yet so far' for Ryde Golf Club during a European adventure.

The Island team team had reached the semi-finals of the Annodata National Fives competition for all clubs in the UK and flew out to Spain for the final stages.

Paired with Foxhills, from Surrey, in their semi-final, they finished the regular holes tied at 2½-2½ but just lost out on the extra holes play-off to the Surrey club at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Montecastillo Golf Club.

This left the Ryde team of Paul Moreton (captain), Darren Thompson, Steve Tutt, Lee Cawley, Tom McInnes and Richie Harrison in a third-place play-off against Drax GC from Yorkshire.

This time the Islanders, who were sponsored by Wightlink Ferries, Wight Ices, Wight Windows, Island Ales, JL Removals and Storage, Gold Plumbing, The Electric Center and Wight Embroidery, made no mistake.

They won three and halved two of their five matches to lift the third-place shield.

Steve Tutt said:

“Darren Thompson did well to come back from three down with four to play to halve the final game against Foxhills and take it to the play-off.

“Captain Paul Moreton was unlucky to lose a very tense first hole of the play-off.

“I came into the team for the third-place play off and we all played well. For such a small club we had amazing support from members, which we were very grateful for.”

Steve said the club would be entering two men's and one ladies’ team in this year’s competition.

Phil Delaney, Wightlink commercial director, said:

“We were pleased to hear of this great performance by the Ryde players.

"Wightlink like to support Island sports people in whatever they compete in.”