Levante Golf

Roger’s a knockout winner in ‘David and Goliath’ semi-final

GOLF’s handicap system ensures that nothing can be taken for granted when a single figure player meets a high handicapper. And at Alicante Golf, in the semi-final of Levante’s major knockout event, the Syd Smith Trophy, there was a classic example of why, in golf, there is no such thing as an underdog.

Levante’s vice captain Roger Miller, with a 23.9 handicap, was up against the society’s best striker of a ball in 5.5 handicapper John Chessher and few would have predicted the outcome – a 3&1 win for Roger – especially Roger himself.

“I didn’t expect the match to go beyond the 10th green,” he said later.

But, receiving a shot a hole, Roger played steadily to be three up with five to play. And even when John hit back to win the next two holes Roger held his nerve on the final stretch to win the 16th and 17th holes and ensure victory.

The semi-final match coincided with the society’s regular individual stableford competition in which Roger’s performance also gave him a winning score in Division 2.

His 37 points beat Alan Overton (whom he now meets in the final of the knockout trophy.) Alan had 36 points, one more than third-placed Keith Price.

In Division 1, Vaughan Dillon returned from a lengthy injury layoff to win with 38 points, one more than Malcolm Nash and Brian Norbury.

Andrew Harrison and new member Dave Henderson won the nearest the pin prizes and holed their putts to claim the twos pot.

RESULTS

Division 1:

1st Vaughan Dillon (18) 38pts

2nd Malcolm Nash (10) 37pts

3rd Brian Norbury (17) 36pts

Division 2:

1st Roger Miller (29) 37pts

2nd Alan Overton (30) 36pts

3rd Keith Price (23) 35pts

NTPs : Hole 3, Dave Henderson; Hole 12 Andrew Harrison.