Challenge Team 2024

Challenge League SEG Final

Essex  V Hampshire at Wensum Valley Golf Club on Sunday 13th October.

Having successfully come through a challenging group to reach the final Essex were up against our old friends and adversaries Hampshire. It was 2011 when the last time another County other than Essex and Hampshire won the Challenge League Final formerly the Colts Final (18-25-year-olds). In its modern format it has become the County Second Team with no restrictions on age. Virtually all golfers have + handicaps so the standard is high. Teams are made up of eight players, foursomes in the morning followed by eight singles in the afternoon.

The Final was played at Wensum Valley GC North Norfolk,  so a long drive for those players in South Essex but nowhere near as long as those from Hampshire.

Essex looked like they were going to have a 3 1 advantage after the morning but a late rally by the lead Hampshire pair manged a half to make the foursomes score 21/2  11/2.  There was a 6 and 5 win for Freddie Warn (Chelmsford) and Louise Vallis (Thornden Park). Callum Newton (Orsett) and Dominic Piccolo (Thornden Park) won 2 up and Charlie Croker (Abridge) and Teddy Hobbs (Chigwell) were all square.

The singles matches were a reversal with Hampshire for a long time up in five of the eight matches and looking likely to win by one point. Charlie Croker won his match 6 and 5 and Dominic Piccolo won 2 and 1. Alan Sharrocks (Colchester) had a superb win against Rob Wheeler the current Hampshire Champion 2 and 1. So at this point Essex needed half a point to force a play-off and one to win. The later seemed unlikely as Essex appeared to be struggling in the remaining matches on the course. However, having been four down after nine holes three birdies on the bounce reduced this to one and Freddie Warn birdied the eighteenth secure half a point which  gave Essex six points and a play off.

Essex had an obvious choice for the play off player Charlie Croker. Recently selected for the Under 18 England Team and playing off +3 he was to play sudden death against the current Hampshire Champion. Both missed birdie putts on the first a 398-yard par four and moved onto the eighteenth a 486-yard par five. A great tee shot leaving a five iron in put Essex in control. However, an excellent third guaranteed Hampshire a par. Charlie responded by holing a twelve-foot putt for a birdie and a win for Essex.

Challenge Team 2023

Challenge Team Final

Essex  V Hampshire at Mill Hill Golf Club on Sunday 15th October.

Hampshire are a very positive and strong County, so a tightly contested match was expected. With no age restrictions both teams had one or two young players.

Mill Hill Golf Club - a tightly wooded course on the border of North London and Hertfordshire. Founded in 1927, only four years to go to their Centenary. None of the Essex team had played this course before.

Morning Foursomes:
An early start as days are now drawing in. Bright and sunny but a cold wind.

Pair 1 - Oliver Allison and Oliver Baker (Colchester)                                                                       
Pair 2 - Shay McQueen (Brentwood) and Dominic Piccolo (Thorndon Park)                                   
Pair 3 - Cousins Harry and Timmy Moncur (West Essex)                                                                   
Pair 4 - Team Captain Bradley Coombes (Orsett) and Toby Peters (Thorpe Hall)

The team of 8 players made up from 6 different Essex clubs.

After hole six, Pair 3 were the only Essex pair up. Hole ten, the situation was the same. Hole 13 and Hampshire's 2nd Pair had an excellent win of 7&5. Come on Essex! Then the Hampshire 4th pair followed with a 6&5 win. Again - come on Essex!  And they did. The Moncurs, Pair finished 5&4 and finally the Olivers, Pair 1 went to the 17th to win 3&1.  

Foursomes 2 - 2

Afternoon Singles:

Essex played in the same order as they had in the morning. Hampshire changed their order so all but three players were meeting someone new. The Moncurs were each against one of the pair they had beaten in the foursomes and Brad against one of the morning pair he had lost to - so all to play for.

Olly A out first and off to a good start 3up after seven holes. Shay was then 1up and Brad 2up, with Dominic and Ollie B both all square. Match so far looking quite even. After hole 11 we were just in the lead, but a long way to go.

Our leader, Olly A then finished with an excellent 6&5 win - he had never looked like losing. 

All the rest of the field looking as if they could easily go to the 18th. Players 2 and 3 did, Ollie B finishing all square and Shay beating the Hampshire team captain 1up.

Five matches still to finish - all square in two and down in three.  Harry in match 5 never more than 1up went to the 18th and maintained his 1up to win. Essex now had 3½ of the 8 points.

Two matches to go and Brad, last player out, a beautiful drive on the par three 16th , a gimee birdie led to a 2&1 win. Young Toby had the final match of the day, on the 18th, finishing all square.

Singles: Essex 5 - 3 Hampshire

Match Result: Essex 7 - 5 Hampshire

A very tight match as expected, played in a good spirit by all. A first for our Challenge team matches - no rain. Congratulations to Brad and his team        

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Report v Bedford (Home)

Final 2023 league match took place versus Bedfordshire at Thorpe Hall Golf Club on Sunday 10th September. One of the hottest days of the year

Essex team as follows: - Dominic Piccolo, Jack Boyd (Thorndon Park). Shay McQueen (Brentwood). Harry Moncur (West Essex). Joe Smith (Abridge). Alan Sharrocks (Colchester). Max Maddocks, Toby Peters (Thorpe Hall).

Two players in the Challenge Team squad for the first time - Alan and Toby. Max and Toby both junior players from the home club and both proving to be great assets. Alan a most welcome strong addition to the squad. Challenge Team Captain, Bradley Coombes, away playing for Orsett in the Thornton Cup final.

Most of the Beds team played a practice round on the Saturday, seven of the Essex players giving it a miss as several of them had been playing in the heat on Friday at the Romford Trophy.

The Beds Manager had had last minute drop outs and he also had a couple of juniors playing. In the previous away match five of today's Essex players had played and three of the Beds team.

Morning Foursomes: Started at 8.30 and even then, it was hot!

Dom and Alan led the way and after hole 6 all four pairs were up. Shay & Harry by 4, Dom & Alan and Jack & Toby by 2, and Joe & Max by 1. A good strong start.

After hole 11 Shay & Harry were dormy 7 up and went on to an impressive 8&6 win - Last pair out, first pair in. Hole 12 both pairs Jack & Toby and Dom & Alan 4 up and went on to win 5&4 and 5&3 respectively. Joe & Max still playing - keeping their 1 up lead throughout and finishing on the 17th - 2&1.                                             Foursomes:  4 - 0

Afternoon Singles:

 Played in eight singles matches, which was great for the players being so much quicker in the continuing heat, in the same order as the morning. After hole 5 Essex were up in six, down in two. Hole 12 saw am outstanding win of 8&6 by Toby. Not far behind came Shay 5&4. Three matches went to the 15th - Jack winning 5&3, and Dom and Max both 4&3. Max played the same Beds player as had met in the away match - Kyle Faulkner must have hoped for revenge but it was not to be.

Three matches to go - Harry finished on the 17th 2up. Alan and Joe went to the 18th. Alan 1up, Joe 1down.                                                                                                          Singles:  7 - 1 

Total: 11 - 1

Beds were a charming group of players and warmly congratulated the Essex Team, Four matches played, four matches won, Essex will now play Hampshire in the South East England Final at Mill Hill on 15th October

Good Luck Team!

Report Challenge League Match v Middlesex .

The third of the four 2023 League Matches. Away to Middlesex at Wyke Green Golf Club on Sunday 3rd September.

A delightful parkland course designed by Messrs Hawtree and Taylor on land that was purchased by members in 1926. An amazing number of trees, especially poplars and willows which require constant attention from the green staff. Close to Heathrow airport, the railway line and the motorway. One local supporter stated we call this course our “trains, planes and automobile course”

The Essex team were as follows:-

Captain Brad Coombes (Orsett) & Oliver Allison (Colchester). Shay McQueen (Brentwood) & Dominic Piccolo (Thorndon Park). Timmy & Harry Moncur (West Essex). Jake Hinton (Brentwood) & Jack Boyd (Thorndon Park).

None of these 8 players had played this course before and, for once, we had no rain. A very hot weekend - summer has arrived!

Morning Foursomes: After five holes Essex were trailing. Two down in the first match and all square in the other three. Things had slightly improved after nine, with the first two pairs now all square and Timmy & Harry three up and Jake & Jack one up, Further improvement after hole 15 with Timmy & Harry having won 5&4 and the other three pairs all 1up. Brad & Oli finished 1up and Shay & Dominic and Jake & Jack both finished all square.                                  Foursomes: 3 - 1

Afternoon Singles: Essex played in virtually the same order as in the morning. Oli led the way playing against the Wyke Green Club Captain, Norman Sheils. This was again going to be a very tight contest. After hole 7 three players were up. Brad by 3, Dom by 2 and Jack by 1. After hole 9 things were looking better - up in five, down in three. After hole 13 we had our first win - an excellent 6&5 for Brad. Oli took Norman to the 18th and won 1up. Three of the remaining matches went to the 16th with Dominic, Timmy and Harry all finishing 2&1.                                                                  Singles: 5 -3

                                                                       Match total 8 - 4

The day was played in excellent spirit. Essex were made so welcome by players and club. Thanks to all and congratulations to Wyke Green's green staff for maintaining such a superb course. Thoroughly recommend any golfer to play there if they get the opportunity.

Dave Edwards

Challenge Team Manager 

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Home to Middlesex at Thorpe Hall Golf Club on 23rd April

RESULTS SHEET

Weather unfortunately exactly as predicted - cool and sunny on the practice Saturday and rain, rain and more rain on the Sunday match day.

Team: Bradley Coombes (Capt), Cassidy Steffens & Callum Newton (Orsett). Rory Bennet & Dominic Piccolo (Thorndon Park). Oliver Allison (Colchester). Michael Gilbert (Chelmsford). Timmy Moncur (West Essex).

Under the SE group rules for the Challenge League there are no age limitations.  Essex using many of the previous Colts squad fielded this team of 18-27's. Middlesex with one young 17year-old late replacement had the remainder of their team ages ranging up to 50's.

Morning Foursomes:

Light rain to start with and then a couple of extremely heavy downpours. After nine holes there was some concern as to whether or not the course would remain playable. At this stage the match was quite close. Michael & Timmy 3up, Brad & Callum 2up, Olly & Rory 1up, Cass & Dominic 1 down.

Play continued in lighter rain and at least the large puddles on the greens began to subside.

Brad & Callum maintained their 2up lead and finished 2&1. Michael & Tim pulled ahead in their game and had a good 5&4 win. Olly & Rory took their game to the 18th and finished 1up. Middlesex took the fourth game 4&3.

                                                                                                Foursomes: 3 - 1

After an excellent lunch the Singles teed off  - yes again, in the rain.  It continued that way all afternoon with a couple of short heavy showers. Play was in two ball matches which provided a much quicker movement for the players.

 As in the morning the match was close after nine holes. Two games 2up and one two down. Two games 1up and one 1down. Two games all square.

Three of the eight games went to the 18th . Brad (Challenge Team Captain for 2023) and Timmy both finished all square. Rory won 2up against the young 17 year old Harshiv Sharma.  One game to the 17th - Callum won 2&1 against the Middlesex Team Manager, Joe Smith. Three games to the 16th with Olly and Dominic both winning 3&2, and Michael losing 2&3.

                                                                                                Singles: 5 - 3                      Match Total 8 - 4

Middlesex were a great spirited team and we look forward to the return match. Thorpe Hall were excellent hosts and we look forward to hosting our home match there against Bedford later in the season.

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Essex Challenge(Colts) v Romford

Saturday 25th March
Romford GC

This fixture has become an annual event, always greatly enjoyed. Romford Golf Club sourcing out their 2023 Thornton Cup team and the Essex ex-Colts now Challenge team reviewing their several new players.

Team: Olly Allison, Theo Baker & Cai James (Colchester). Michael Gilbert & Freddy Warn (Chelmsford). Harry Wood. Cassidy Steffens & Callum Newton (Orsett). Dominic Piccolo & Rory Bennet (Thorndon Park). Timmy Moncur (West Essex). Regrettably the 12th player had to withdraw at the last moment due to a health issue.

Morning Foursomes left Callum having to play his two opponents on his own - losing 2&1 - not bad. Romford had strong pairings and excellent putters. Nearly 50% of their team were under 18's - promises a great future. Only one Essex pair won their match, Timmy & Cass 4&3. The other four matches were by no means walkovers, with Olly & Rory going to the 17th, Dominic & Harry to the 16th, Michael & Freddy and Theo & Cai to the 15th.                                                  Foursomes: 1 -5

Afternoon Singles - Challenge Team all to play for. And they did. As Romford were making some replacements to their team there was only eleven matches. The singles were tightly contested. After nine holes each team was up in five, down in five all square in one.

Dominic lead the way playing in a two-ball against Ben Scanes whom he had played in the morning. Ben led from the start and finished 4&2. The rest of the games were played in fourballs, with Essex winning six matches and halving two.    Six wins: Cai 6&5, Rory 5&3, Freddy and Theo 4&3, Harry 2&1 and Cass 1up. Two halved matches - Timmy and Michael.                        

Singles: 7 - 4

Match Total 8 - 9

A cold blustering day with only two short downpours.

A match played in excellent spirit. Many thanks to Romford Golf Club for hosting the day, and to Romford members for giving up their Saturday tee times. Both Team Managers wish the opposition the very best in their different leagues.

Essex Challenge Team v Chelmsford

Sunday 12th March
Chelmsford Golf Club

First match of the season in the newly formed SE England Challenge League which, for Essex, is replacing the previous Colts League.
Team: Olly Allison, Theo & Ollie Baker, Rory Bennet, Jack Boyd, Joe Green, Ed Mason, Callum Newton, Dominic Piccolo, Cassidy Steffens.
This early friendly match was fixed so that Essex could assess their new players and Chelmsford could do likewise for their Thornton Cup Team. Essex played several new players and borrowed two from the under 18 squad.
Due to the recent weather the course was extremely wet and closed to all buggies and trolleys. Carry for 36 holes - quite a test for all.
Chelmsford started well in the morning foursomes - up in four of the matches after nine holes. Their first pair of Michael Gilbert & Freddie Warn beat Olly & Cass 5&4. Joe & Callum 1 up after nine, maintained their lead and finished 3&1. Dominic & Jack from being 2 down after nine went on to finish all square. The last two matches went to the 17th and 18th respectively. Ed & Ollie losing 2&1 and Theo & Rory 1 down.

Foursomes 1½ / 3½

 Scores in the afternoon singles were more varied. Chelmsford in the lead again after nine - Essex only up in three matches and all square in one. Ed & Ollie (our borrowed under 18's) both had excellent wins - Ollie 8&7 and Ed 7&5. Dominic maintained his early start and finished 4&3. Essex's wins finished there! Olly lost on the 18th 2 down and Cass, Callum and Rory on the 16th.

Singles 3 - 7

Match Total 4½ / 10½

 An excellent day of golf played in such good spirit.
Thank you to Chelmsford Golf Club and Good Luck in the 2023 Thornton Cup
Dave Edwards - Challenge Team Manager.

Colt's Team 2022

Colts league match away to Hampshire on 12th June at Barton-on-Sea Golf Club

A very demanding 27hole course on the wind swept South coast with the Isle of White and Needles in view from the club house.

Essex versus Hampshire in the past has always been a South East England final. With the change in format this year all of the SE Counties being in one league Essex drew this match as an away game and were expecting somewhat of a challenge.

No disappointment - practice round on the Saturday introduced us to this extremely challenging course and the strong wind factor. Strong to us but club members (as always) simply referred to it as a mild breeze.

Team: - Captain Shay McQueen & Jake Hinton (Brentwood), Cassidy Steffens, Callum Newton & Bradley Coombes (Orsett), Billy Gunyon (Thorpe Hall), Oliver Allison (Colchester), Harry Butler (Chigwell). Several new faces to the squad - five clubs represented.

Morning Foursomes:  Shay and Cass -off to a good start, three up after nine and an early win of 7 and 5.  Brad and Olly had a much tighter game against the Hampshire Captain/Manger Lawrence Cherry and Drew MacKinnon. Seldom more than one up or one down the Hampshire pair eventually won 1up on the 18th. Billy and Jake took their game to the 15th. One of their oppositions was a Barton-on-Sea member, they lost 4&3.

With one win and two losses the final foursome result was with Harry and Callum. Another tight game - one up after the 17th - The 18th to decide the morning total. An island green, Callum's drive found water on the left, Hampshire player safely on the green. Essex penalty drop for two and then an outstanding 20 yard chip from Harry - holed! Shot of the Day!
A par for Hampshire and a 1up win for Essex.   Morning Foursomes 2 -2.

Afternoon Singles:  Not so many tight individual games but for the first time the match was extremely close.  First win went to player Cassidy 5&3. Shay went to the 18th where his opponent whom he had beaten 7&5 in the morning foursomes clinched a revenge victory of 1up. Harry, playing No3, retained an early lead from the first and went on to win 4&3. Bradley Coombes won his game against Danny Coombes on the 18th - 1up. “No relation, but I do have an Uncle Danny” said Brad.  Match standing at 3 - 1.

Then came an excellent win of 7&6 Olly - never down from the word go, followed by two Hampshire wins, Jake losing 3&2 and Callum 5&4. Match so tight 4 - 3.  Billy the only player still to finish. Not one of the longest hitters but steady. Never down and two up and two to play a halved point would give Essex a narrow win. They halved the 17th to give Billy a 2 -1 win and Essex the  Singles 5 -3.                                Total Match 7 - 5.

Congratulations to all players from both teams, to the green's  staff for the fantastic course and to  Barton-on-Sea Golf Club for being such excellent hosts.

For the Match Results Click Here!

Dave Edwards

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Esse x  GU Colts vs Bedfordshire GU Colts   Sunday 23rd  May

Following  e xtreme weather at the  original venue of Cainhoe Wood  the teams agreed it best to swap venues for this league m atch and play w as moved to Orsett GC. Despite the format now being only 8 singles the   players t e ed off in 4's.

Players wer e greeted by  a gusty, strong south westerly wind to focus their minds. Despite being the Colts Captain for 2 years, Shay McQueen struck his first competitive shot as Captain leading the team alongside Chelm sford teammate, Ben Humphrey. Shay was off to a quick start with a few birdies leaving him 4 up through 6, Ben was steady and was matched in the early holes walking  through 6 in all square. Match 2 was Five Lakes Jackson Garnett alongside Chigwell's Harry Butler. Both players battled the strong winds, des pite a massive putt on the second Harry was only 1 up early on whereas Jackson stretched his legs and was 3 up through 6 holes. Match 3 saw 2 home players with Callum Newton guiding debutant Joe Green who split the first fairway with his tee shot. The final group saw Zach Chegwidden play al ongside Walker Cup star, Jack Dyer.

The strong winds caused a few ball searches in the early holes, once all players had got into their stride the Essex team really stretched their legs, Shay finished his match on the 13th with a comprehensive 7 & 5 win, Ben's consistent play paid dividends as he ran out a 5 & 4 victor.

Jackson continued his excellent play and was never troubled as he also wrapped his match up on hole 14 with a 5 & 4 victory. Harry was pushed a little harder and knuckled down to some excellent play, making sure the following team members walked up the steep hill on hole 16 only to wrap things up there with a 3 & 2 win.

Following their slow start Zach & Jack really showed their class as they ripped through holes 7 to 12 both walking to the 13th tee, 6 up, closing their matches out 6 & 5.

Following a serious health scare earlier in the year Callum showed no sign of this slowing him up as he powered his was to a 5 & 4 victory, Joe wished to stretch things a little further, an excellent up & down saw him establish a 1 hole lead on hole 16. Followed by all players from both teams he finished with 2 excellent pars to star t his County career with a 2 up victory.

Both teams were extremely complementary about the course conditions which provided a stern test, the Colts now have a break with the  return match against Bedfordshire on 1st August. 

Results Sheet

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South Eastern Group North - County League Match
ESSEX COLTS v MIDDLESEX COLTS
Enfield Golf Club - Sunday 11th August 2019

Colt's last league match of the season. That wild and windy weekend when many events were cancelled. 

Essex team: Captain -  Lukas Warren (Thorndon Park), Kish Velani (Wanstead), Oscar Yeomans, Ben Humphrey, Shay McQueen, Jack Brown & Michael Gilbert (Chelmsford), Joe Tatam (Brentwood). 

Middlesex, regrettably, had one player phone in sick that morning and were unable to find a replacement at such short notice.

Morning foursomes:  Eamon, a Middlesex management team member, filled in in order to give all Essex players a morning game. Therefore Oscar & Joe had a good game and a walkover point.

First of the other three matches to finish - Ben & Michael with an excellent 7&5 win. That was closely followed by another good result from Lukas & Kish 5&4. 

The first pair out, Shay & Jack, still on the course.  Three up with four to play. Lost the 15th, halved the 16th, lost the 17th. Dormy one up. Hole 18 halved in par 4's. Essex 1 up.  A very close match.

Foursomes: 4 - 0  

Afternoon Singles:  Captain Lukas elected to be the Essex player who did not get a game

As happens so often a strong morning foursomes win is followed by a strongly contested afternoon singles. This was certainly the case. After ten holes Essex were up in only one (Michael), all square in two and down in four.