Simon Matton wins Mercedes World Final
19th March 2012

Spring is on the way at Marlborough Golf Club!
World Title for Simon!

Not many of us can claim a world title but we have one member who can -sevenhandicapper Simon Matton, victor in the Mercedes-Benz Trophy final in Stuttgart with the best nett score.

Having come through qualification at Bowood, Burhill and St Andrews,
Simons two-round total of 80 stableford points beat the other 84 players from 29 nations.

“It was great” said Simon “the missus and I had an all expenses paid holiday in a five-star hotel and met lots of lovely people. I also drank quite a lot of beer!” His wife Lin did the caddying and kept him fed and watered during the sweltering heat of two very long rounds.

“It was 85 to 90 degrees and the first took six hours and 55 minutes but the second was a bit longer -seven hours twenty minutes!” So was
patience the key to his fine golf ? “I just hit it up the middle, waited under the umbrella for the others to catch up then walked to my ball and hit it again” said Simon with a shrug.

But what was the secret then, did he practice well? “I never practice. When the Mercedes boys asked if I was coming up to the practice range I
said ‘Why, is the bar open?’ I never hit a practice ball the whole time. Our team captain Rob Moon was amazed.”

In the team event the UK came third, just one shot behind the winners, New Zealand and South Asia who were second with the same score. Simon’s score placed him seventh in the best gross competition, some achievement considering the top three were all off plus handicaps, the winner being plus 3.6.

The final takes place over a full week opening with the Parade of Nations at which national dress is worn.

That’s Simon, on the end of the right hand side.

What did the UK team wear? “Someone said we could go as Beefeaters” said Simon “but I suggested City Gents: bowler hats, rolled umbrellas and dark suits and that’s what we decided to do.” Other highlights include a chance to drive the latest Mercs around a test track and a visit to a beer festival, but not on the same day, obviously!

“The whole thing was great. I really enjoyed the week at St Andrews as well, but I guess laying claim to a world title tops the bragging rights!” Too true, Simon!

S e n i o r s AG M a n d 3 -c l u b C h a l l e n g e

Picture the scene, a cold windy morning after rain in the night has left the going very soft.

You step onto the first tee which, like all the rest, is set well back, with only a putter and three other clubs in your bag. What’s the best score you can hope to compile? Four or five over? How about three under?

That was the winning score in the morning’s Three Club Challenge
preceding the Seniors AGM carded by David Ferris. After lunch they
presented his trophy and elected him chairman.

So a good day at the office, Dave? All in all it was a nice day for everyone with a good-humoured AGM at which sincere thanks were offered to Brian Alford the retiring chairman for all his work. Brian hopes to be back swinging a club in his inimitable style in the
spring.

We all wish him well. David Raymond closed his excellent year as
captain with a few words and incoming captain John Sprules was welcomed, together with his vice captain Alan Pryor who is a mere boy.
Seniors, like policemen, get younger every year!
(that ’s the one where you’re allowed only four clubs)