On 21st August, Norfolk travelled to Colne Valley Golf Club in Essex to compete in the annual Keith Bass Trophy versus Essex, Suffolk & Bedfordshire.
With seven of the players playing in their final u14’s match and an opportunity for an u12 to step up, the team were prepared to try an go one better than the previous two years and win the trophy only for the 2nd time.
The weather was windy, the course firm and the greens quick, and it soon became apparent that it would be tough to play to handicap. A competition where 3 best gross and 3 best net scores create the team score, it seemed to be fairly close with the other counties also enduring the tough conditions.
Liam Caffyn, Louis Hawes and Louie Raine held the team’s best chance of our gross scores, with the ever improving squad of Toby Lewin, Luke Gilding, Hayden Locke, Jacob C and Tom Burton attempting to put a score together as close to handicap as possible. Luke and Jacob completed the front nine under handicap, with the front 3 keeping pace with their opposite numbers.
Louie Raine & Louis Hawes steadied the ship on the back 9 to complete 2 good gross scores for the team, but it was the impressive Liam Caffyn who carded a 1 under back nine, 3 over gross score including 4 birdies and an eagle, to win the overall gross Keith Bass Trophy by 6 shots, and meaning that Norfolk had an advantage in the gross category. Luke Gilding & Tom Burton came in with good contributing net scores but Jacob C won the overall net with a 2 under handicap performance. This made Norfolk’s team score 455, beating Essex by just seven shots to win the team event, the first time since 2013. This is the U14’s second trophy of the season after winning the Tri-Shield in June at Cambridge Country Club.
Under 14’s team manager, Greg Caffyn, said “It was great to finish the season strong and show what Norfolk are capable of. The squad has put in amazing effort this year with coaching sessions, strength & conditioning, sports psychology and yoga. To have a clean sweep of prizes against very good opposition away from home shows we are moving in the right direction. We are building the foundations for Norfolk juniors to compete nationally and provide future players for the County 1st and 2nd teams, whilst also growing the sport in our county”.
