After 7/8 years away, Middlesex have entered the South-Eastern Group Colts League to represent a recent boom in membership from men aged 18-26. 

The first match was a testing tie away at Sherfield Oaks GC, Basingstoke, against a strong Hampshire side, whose Colts side is established and features skilled individual talents.

The Ealing pair of Mitch Hadfield and Liam Reed led the way in the Foursomes and after a difficult start, 3 down thru 3, played impressively to take the match to the 18^th and narrowly missed out on taking a share of the points. Captain, Elliot Brown, Muswell Hill, and Enfield’s, Max Nicholls, had a tough draw and couldn’t keep up with their Hampshire counterparts, who were -4 in Foursomes without dropping a single-shot. Matthew Lockwood, Ealing and Conor Madden, Mill Hill played solidly all morning and, too, had their match taken to the 18^th where they were unlucky not to walkaway with a point on this occasion. West Middlesex’s, Sean Barry and West London’s, Aaron Hares formed a strong partnership and were winning for long periods of their match. Tightly fought till the end, the points were halved in the final game with Hampshire having a stronghold on the match; leading 3.5-0.5 as the teams went to lunch.

Middlesex needed a fast start in the Singles and relied on the Ealing trio of Hadfield, Reed and Lockwood to lead the way and dent the Hampshire lead.  Unfortunately, the Hampshire opposition were clinical and added 3 more points to their tally; Matthew Lockwood’s match, again, being contested right up until the last hole. Lefty, Conor Madden put the first Singles point on the board for Middlesex with an impressive 3&1 victory; a precedent he’ll hope to maintain throughout the season. Elliot Brown was leading comfortably for 16 holes and rued not putting the game to bed a little earlier. A tricky putt missed on 17 and an untimely lost-ball on 18 saw Hampshire claim another point up the last. A fine afternoon performance from Junior-Colt, Max Nicholls tied up a comfortable 3&2 win; a performance the Enfield player hopes will kick on his season as his development gathers apace. Sean Barry and Aaron Hares were unable to anchor points from the final two games, which concluded a well-fought match from both teams.

9.5-2.5, the final score, but with 5 matches going down the 18^th the Colts’ debut could have gone very differently with experience and luck on our side.

A special mention to Manager, Tom Talbot, for his supervision and guidance; Eamon Kneafsey, Sudbury GC, for championing the Colts’ return and making the trip down the M4 to support the team on the day and Middlesex Golf Secretary, Jason Mitchell for his on-going administrative leadership.

Middlesex will welcome Hampshire to Ashford Manor on 16^th July but will first host Surrey at Hendon GC on 25^th June.

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