Monday 23rd April 2007 - Moor Hall GC - New Seniors Captain Geoff Tatton gathered together 40 of Warwickshire's best Senior golfers for a pre-season trial to help him with team selection for what is, as ever, a busy year for our O55s. Having watched virtually every other Union fixture being played in glorious Spring sunshine, Geoff had remarked in his invitational letter that he hoped the trialists would enjoy good weather to show off their golfing prowess. Your Seniors Captain was somewhat disappointed with the weather but not with the caliber of play on what was a pretty dank and miserable day.
Geoff followed was in the group behind the eventual winner and witnessed their indifferent start - a 7 at the gentle downhill par five. In fact Frank Wallington (last year's Seniors Captain) did not take any advantage of what is considered the easier half of Moor Hall's fine links, scoring only 14 points in the gross stableford competition for the front nine.
The back nine was very different and Frank surged round those holes in one under par to score 19 points coming home in the gross stableford format and a total of 33.
That was matched by David Middleton but David made 'hay' on the front nine with his 19 points, then added 14 for the more difficult back nine to take second place on countback.
In third place was Graham Barton with 32 points. One point further back were past Seniors Champions John Madden and John Lawton. 'New Boy' Peter Holt (who is available for three matches this Summer) came in with 30 points, as did Anton Holliday and Tony Featherstone.
So Geoff now has a very good guide to his first team selection for the match against Surry at Leamington & County GC on May 9th. Unfortunately the team will not include its Captain, nor the winner of the Trials Frank Wallington, as they are both away. Stepping into the 'breach' will be President Elect John Duncombe.
Good luck for 2007 to our Seniors!