Lincolnshire are the Boys County Champions for 2011. Their 7-2 win over Surrey in the final series at Luffenham Heath gave them their first ever victory in the event and the first by a Midland county for two decades (picture © Tom Ward).
They went into the final day a point behind Surrey knowing they had to win to take the title while Surrey, seeking their fourth title in five years, only required a tie.
But the Midland region winners were fast out of the blocks, dropping just a point in the morning foursomes before winning five of the six afternoon singles.
“I would never have believed it,” said Lincolnshire captain Geoff Smith. "We are delighted because we were the underdogs against such counties as Surrey and Yorkshire. I think our odds were 50-1. But we’ve come through. We lost Nathan Kimsey to GB&I for the Jacques Leglise Trophy but everyone of the team were magnificent.
“Although we went into the singles with a two point lead I was excited, but I have played golf long enough to know these things can turn around. I was hopeful but not all together confident.
“But we’ve done it with a 13 year old and two 15 year olds which shows we can produce some good talent in this part of the country.”
Surrey coach Hugh Marr was complimentary to Lincolnshire. “I don’t think we played our best over the last two days but all credit to Lincolnshire,” he said. “They holed key putts when they needed to as well as a number of up-and-downs. They did what they had to do and while we are disappointed, they were ruthless.”
Having lost the morning foursomes 2-1, Surrey were expected to stage a big revival in the singles but it didn’t really happen. When Patrick Kelly beat his international team-mate Greg Payne 3 and 2 and Jordan Wrisdale overcame Bradley Thomas 2 and 1, Lincolnshire needed only one more victory for the title. But it wasn’t easy.
Liam Cox won a point for Surrey by beating Ben Anderson 3 and 2 while Lincolnshire’s safe-looking leads in the other three games gradually began to diminish. All three came to the 18th green with the Midlander’s 1-up in each and they all halved the hole to maintain their advantage.
To cap a wonderful three days of golf, Callum MacKay, Surrey’s top scorer, and 13-year-old Billy Spooner produced eagle-threes on 18 to round off Lincolnshire’s 7-2 success.
In the battle for third place, Yorkshire came out on top 6½ – 2½ over Devon after dropping just half a point in the foursomes.
While not showing their best form, the northern champions won three and halved two of the singles.
Matthew Fitzpatrick, Luke Robinson and Joseph Dean secured wins over Dan Rosevear, Ryan Pope and James Urquhart respectively to ensure their victory. Matt Wells 5 and 4 win over Jamie Harrison was Devon’s lone success while the other two games finished all square.
In the end Lincolnshire took the title, Surrey were runners-up, Yorkshire third and Devon fourth.
They went into the final day a point behind Surrey knowing they had to win to take the title while Surrey, seeking their fourth title in five years, only required a tie.
But the Midland region winners were fast out of the blocks, dropping just a point in the morning foursomes before winning five of the six afternoon singles.
“I would never have believed it,” said Lincolnshire captain Geoff Smith. "We are delighted because we were the underdogs against such counties as Surrey and Yorkshire. I think our odds were 50-1. But we’ve come through. We lost Nathan Kimsey to GB&I for the Jacques Leglise Trophy but everyone of the team were magnificent.
“Although we went into the singles with a two point lead I was excited, but I have played golf long enough to know these things can turn around. I was hopeful but not all together confident.
“But we’ve done it with a 13 year old and two 15 year olds which shows we can produce some good talent in this part of the country.”
Surrey coach Hugh Marr was complimentary to Lincolnshire. “I don’t think we played our best over the last two days but all credit to Lincolnshire,” he said. “They holed key putts when they needed to as well as a number of up-and-downs. They did what they had to do and while we are disappointed, they were ruthless.”
Having lost the morning foursomes 2-1, Surrey were expected to stage a big revival in the singles but it didn’t really happen. When Patrick Kelly beat his international team-mate Greg Payne 3 and 2 and Jordan Wrisdale overcame Bradley Thomas 2 and 1, Lincolnshire needed only one more victory for the title. But it wasn’t easy.
Liam Cox won a point for Surrey by beating Ben Anderson 3 and 2 while Lincolnshire’s safe-looking leads in the other three games gradually began to diminish. All three came to the 18th green with the Midlander’s 1-up in each and they all halved the hole to maintain their advantage.
To cap a wonderful three days of golf, Callum MacKay, Surrey’s top scorer, and 13-year-old Billy Spooner produced eagle-threes on 18 to round off Lincolnshire’s 7-2 success.
In the battle for third place, Yorkshire came out on top 6½ – 2½ over Devon after dropping just half a point in the foursomes.
While not showing their best form, the northern champions won three and halved two of the singles.
Matthew Fitzpatrick, Luke Robinson and Joseph Dean secured wins over Dan Rosevear, Ryan Pope and James Urquhart respectively to ensure their victory. Matt Wells 5 and 4 win over Jamie Harrison was Devon’s lone success while the other two games finished all square.
In the end Lincolnshire took the title, Surrey were runners-up, Yorkshire third and Devon fourth.
