The Bedford School golf team competed in scorching temperatures during the first week of July in the HMC Foursomes Final at Cotswold Hills Golf Club.
On day one the team defeated Canford 2-1, with comfortable wins from Harry Brown and Matt Hosking, Byron Tan and Conrad Staroscik. Tim Martin and Robert Holden played well throughout their game, but let their lead slip over the last few holes to lose what was to become an all-important game in an incredibly tight group.
In the afternoon, against Hurst, the team lost 2-1 despite some incredible golf all round. Robert and Matt came back from 5 down to take their match to the 18th. On the 18th, Matt’s fantastic drive down the middle of the fairway bowled on further than expected on the now sun-scorched fairway, finding the semi-rough on the left. Unfortunately, Robert’s shot from the less than desirable lie found the back of the green, leaving a near impossible shot for Matt. Despite a valiant effort, the boys lost the game. In the top match, Harry and Byron also battled back from being down early on to take their match to a play off. Despite Harry and Byron playing the hole perfectly, the Hurst pairing managed to birdie the first playoff hole, winning the game and the match.
This left an interesting situation in the group; Bradfield who we were yet to play had 15 points, having won both of their matches (3-0 and 2-1). Hurst and Bedford were in the same situation on 8 points, having lost 2-1 and won 2-1. As a result, Bedford had to win 3-0 the next day against Bradfield, and hope that Hurst didn’t also win 3-0 to qualify for the final.
In the final group match, Bedford battled well against Bradfield, who only needed a win from one game to top the group and make the final. Having been four down very early on, Conrad and Tim demonstrated tremendous character, eventually winning their matches on the second playoff hole. Matt and Robert also played extremely well to finish their match early with a comfortable win. Unfortunately, against an extremely strong front pairing, Harry and Byron suffered defeat on the 16th hole, extinguishing any hopes of progression through to the final, with Bedford and Hurst both finishing on 15 points and Bradfield on 16. To further compound the disappointment to the team, Bradfield (who we had defeated in the morning) went on to beat Loretto in the final.
However, the boys kept their cool to go on and win the Stableford plate competition, a small consolation considering how close the team felt they were to winning but a great demonstration of the team’s great character and resilience.
Bedford School team: Harry Brown, Byron Tan, Matt Hosking, Tim Martin, Conrad Staroscik and Robert Holden.