Kent Golf Limited
Kent U14 Boys Team v Essex and Hertfordshire match report
Date published: 2 Jul 2025
Our U14 boys team played their first game of the season at the weekend, away at Langdon Hill GC in Essex. The matches are played in 3 x balls and played in a triangular matchplay format. We play v Essex & Hertfordshire three times during the season.
Following last year's triumph of winning the SE Trophy, 2025 was always going to be 'a tough one to follow', especially as we lost 4 or 5 players to the U16s. As it happened, we needn't have worried, the 4 newbies we fielded all played exceptionally well, winning or gaining valuable halves during the afternoon on a very bouncy course, and of course it was 30 degrees!
On paper this year, the three teams look more evenly matched, we bat from +1 to 9, Essex 3 to 7, and Herts very strong this year 1 to 8. On the course however our top four in the order soon took control of their matches, Alexander Dunmall from Knole winning both of his matches 4&3 and 4&2. Jenson Ringer's (Rochester & Cobnham Park) long hitting paid dividends, and along with a great chip in on the 9th he won 5&4 and 7&6, great golf. Team Captain Oscar Ford from Bearsted out 3rd was as solid as ever and looked comfortable winning 6&4 and 2 holes, a great skipper's performance, nice work Oscar. Will Henderson, also from Knole Park has been playing some of the best golf of his life this year, but on Sunday, a few early bad breaks and missed putts hit his confidence, and despite a great rally to get from 3 down in both to only 1 down, his games ended in defeat on the 16th. Jenson Barber from Chestfield GC gave us a masterclass in 'reverse' body language.... we saw him on the 6th looking very downcast, so when we nervously checked how he was getting on and he replied 3 up in both! He ended up winning both matches 5&4 and 6&5.... nice work Jenson. Memphis Greenwood from Chelsfield Lakes out 6th, his debut...following Saturday's practice round he was under strict instructions from Peter Parks to leave the driver in his bag.... we saw him after 15 and he'd just lost one of his matches v Essex, and was 2 down with 3 to play v Herts.... with nothing to lose and as the 16th & 18th holes were playing very long, he was given free reign to unleash the beast.... getting a great ½ point on the 18th, well played Memphis and a great debut. Another debut next out for Patrick Rothwell, from Bearsted, very much a free spirit golfer (in a good way - always happy) played very well, some amazing recoveries.... winning against Herts 2&1, and almost letting a 5 up with 6 to play lead slip away, but got up and down from the back of the 18th for par to beat his Essex partner. Last of the 8 was another U14 debut for Caleb Twyman from Prince's. Caleb played U13 Triple Shield last year, winning both matches. Despite giving distance off the tee, Caleb battled round, his short game is incredible to watch, and he did really well to take both games to the 18th, massive experience gained, and never gave up. Our two reserves, Baden Brown from Bearsted and Jeremy Li from Sundridge performed very well against players 2 or 3 shots lower than them on paper, Baden beating Essex by 2 holes and Jeremy beating Essex and losing narrowly to Herts, well played boys, you looked like you really enjoyed it out there and being part of the 2025 team. Herts turned up with only one reserve, so Reggie Jones, from Eltham Warren who had come along with his Dad to watch / ball spot / support the team, was asked if he would like to play.... after initially saying no, I was convinced that was his 'final answer', but then turned round and saw him sprinting off towards the car-park with his Dad's car keys.... he played a very solid round of golf, deceptively long off the tee and with a great short-game he looked very good out there.
I want to say what a team spirit we have, the boys were so supportive to those who hadn't had such a good time out there, and Oscar was brilliant taking them to one side, hand on shoulder etc, much praise, and of course, Oscar nailed the speech.... Final score on the doors:
Kent beat Essex 5 -3
Kent beat Herts 5 ½ - 2 1/2
Essex v Herts ended 4 -4
A great start to the 2025 campaign....
Finally, a huge thanks to all the parents who made sure the boys a) got there and b) supported all the way round on a very very hot day. Next up Home match @ The Darenth on Sunday 27th July.
Everyone is always very welcome to come and support the boys if you're free.
Tim, Peter & Susie
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
