Published: Tuesday, 30th August 2011

TGI Golf lost its grip on the Ashworth Cup after an epic tussle with Foremost Golf in the beautiful surroundings of The Grove, Hertfordshire.

The team, captained by Parnell Reilly (Bradley Park), went into the matches as cup holders having won the inaugural event at a wet K Club last year.

The weather conditions were completely different this time around with sunshine baking the impressive Grove course – however, unfortunately, the result was also a reversal with a strong Foremost side – including former Ryder Cup player and vice captain Peter Baker –winning 11.5 to 6.5 points.

Despite the emphatic scoreline the match was a lot closer than the result suggests. TGI got off to a flyer in the morning fourballs with seniors Barrie Stevens and Mike Deeley recording a resounding 6&5 victory and they were quickly followed by Michael Nesbit and Craig Sutherland recording a 2&1 win.

However, TGI could not capitalise on their great start and lost the remaining four matches, with two – Simon Eaton/Ryan Pudney and Paul Stevenson/Neil Colquhoun – defeated on the final hole.

Things started brightly for the TGI team in the afternoon singles with Nesbit, Sutherland and Kenny Hutton putting some early points on the board.

But it wasn’t to be as Foremost clawed their way back and while there was brief hope for TGI when Pudney bagged another point, it was their rivals who crossed the finish line first to wrestle the Ashworth Cup from the grasp of TGI.

Captain Reilly said: “It was bitterly disappointing to lose our grip on the trophy – winning it is one thing but retaining it is very different. All credit to both teams as they played some fantastic golf; however Foremost managed to hole some crucial putts at very important times – they won at least four matches by sinking long putts on the 18th.

“I was proud of the TGI team, all the players had gone out of their way to make the team, had fought extremely hard to book their place and were all up for defending the title – unfortunately it wasn’t to be. I have already been contacted by a lot of the players to say how desperate they are to qualify to be a part of the team next year.

“Once again, though, the competition was excellently organised at a great venue and on an amazing course, and it was played in the right spirit.”