Jim Dean, Warwickshire Union President, who had watched the players throughout the morning in the very cold conditions, echoed this message and added that winning the County 6 qualifier and thus making the County Finals was something that Warwickshire were also very much wanting to do.

Talking to Andy before the final cards were in, he was looking to both the players who are now very established in EGU squads and those coming through –

‘I’ve talked to Matt Cryer (recent finalist in the Portuguese Amateur) and he cannot commit now to all the matches but closer to each one he will see if he can fit it into his schedule – he will play in the County 6 qualifier.’

‘Rob (Steele) is playing today and Chris Evans has only just come back from Spain – he is practising. Andy Sullivan is Boys Captain so when there are no conflicts with Junior matches he will play – he is good enough.’

‘I’ve heard how well the three guys are doing in the US – David Harris, Ryan Burton and Jon Wetton. They come back for May but go back in August.’

‘Myself and Nick (Clifford) want to know how players are doing throughout the season and if they show the form needed, they will get their opportunity.’

It was a very cold day and with the course nearly 7100 yards long and playing every inch of that yardage, most players found the first 7 holes (into the wind) to be playing as drivers followed by woods – ‘I’ve never hit so many 2 irons’ said Andy Kearns about his round.

The winners on the day were Rob Steele and Gareth Jenkins with 36 points, a very respectable scratch stableford score. Compared with the UK in early March, the three aforementioned Warwickshire players at University in the US will be finishing their College season in much warmer weather and they are all playing well. Jon Wetton has just won a major tournament and Ryan Burton, at one of the strongest Universities, has made the team.

It was a rare playing opportunity for Andy Kearns and on a course he likes, he made the most of the round with his playing partner and with 35 point shared second place – his clubs will be in the car at the friendly on the 20th March, a match against Northants with eight players each side. The Warwickshire team will be as follows –

Ian Stranks, Paul Randle, Ben Groutage, Louis Meryon, Bill Nicolson, Ben Stafford, Adam Grey and Andy Jones.

There will be a full report on the AGM on Thursday 17th Match here the following day which will include more details of the plans for next year’s Centenary celebrations. Next week there will be a feature on the prospective season for one of our best players – it’s a year long commitment which has to include work wherever possible to go with a playing schedule that is very much like that of a Tour Professional.

Pictured are Winners of the competition on the day, Rob Steele and Gareth Jenkins, together with Union President Jim Dean, and the Runners-up, Andy Kearns playing with Paul Randle (Nuneaton) and the two ‘Andys’, Messrs Colley and Jones from Ladbrook.