Team Essex Match Reports

Leslie Wood Quarter Final

Quarter Final Clash: Gosfield Lakes v Braintree A

Battle for the Ages

 

As the Essex squad rolled into Gosfield Lakes for the highly anticipated quarter-final against Braintree, you could be forgiven for thinking we were prepping for an NHS waiting room rather than a golf match. The night before saw players dropping like flies, paving stone injuries, mysterious bug bites, and every excuse short of alien abduction. So much so, Capt Tom (rightfully panicking) sent out a desperate message:

 “Everyone stop getting injured!”

Wise words from a man just trying to make sure we could field a team.

 But, against all odds, every player turned up. And more importantly every single player had a caddie. That doesn’t just show commitment it shows how far this team has bonded. This isn’t just a squad of golfers anymore. This is a unit.

 With everyone gathered on the first and the coin toss completed the morning foursomes began. Sadly, luck was not on our side as early signs were not good and a few very unlucky bounces meant we were down in most matches through the front nine. Every pair battled hard and despite debutant Martin's miraculous shot on the 14th that stunned both sets of supporters all pairs were outmatched in the soggy conditions. A tough 5–0 loss in the morning. Not ideal.

 With heads hanging, we looked to a beacon of inspiration. Enter Tierney, whose Churchillian rallying cry will live long in team folklore:

 “Don’t be {cke-peak}amp;!£.”

And somehow… it worked.

 The rain cleared. The course firmed up. The comeback began.

Joe given the task of leading form the front went off like a train sent an early message with a 6 &5 win.
Dom, as reliable as ever, delivered a 3&2 win, early Essex on the board. 
Si, all calm and class, sealed a 2&1 win — belief was creeping back in.
Catbus, pushed hard and clinched a huge 5&4 victory — and now the whispers began: Could this really be happening? The opposition Captain starting to look very unconfortable. 
Tom gave it everything, but was narrowly outplayed — a warrior’s effort that didn’t go unnoticed.
Mick, after a motivational roasting from his caddie, roared back and salvaged a gritty half.
Jose was cruising at the back. 
Martin H stayed cool and finished strong with a decisive 3&2 win

Now it was getting tight Craig, 4 down with 4 to play… turned full Terminator mode and clawed back for an astonishing half, finishing with a monster drive on 18 and closing out the hole with a gallery fit for an Open stood on the 18th fairway. Rangefinders were out to confirm the result. 

And just like that…

Essex 7 – Braintree 7.

A complete turnaround. One match left. Everything on the line. 

The entire match contingent swarmed to the 17th. All eyes on Lodge — a man who’d not only fought battles on the course, but some off it the night before too. With over 20 teammates, caddies, and supporters surrounding the green, he stood over a birdie chip to take it to 18 and keep the dream alive.

He struck it well it… silence… missed by inches. 

 Final score: Braintree 8 – Essex 7.

Agony. But what a fight.

 ⸻

 Message from Captain Tom:

 “Honestly, I’m a little bit emotional about today. No matter what your score was, you deserve to be in this team.

 We’ve used a full squad this year, and it takes that to make a team. Players, caddies, supporters — every one of you matters.

 Massive shout out to Aidie, who’s been there every step of the way. Every decision was made together. And like I said to him: We win as a team, we lose as a team.

 There are no weak links here. Just strong bonds and next year, they’ll be even stronger.”

 ⸻

 From Mick’s 3-wood over the water (which had everyone gasping), to Craig’s fearless finish, to new players proving themselves, and the old guard leading by example this was a team performance to be proud of.

 We didn’t get the result. But we earned something more important respect, belief, and unity. We will be back 

 This is not the end.

It’s just the beginning.

 

TeamEssex

Juniors Section

Frinton-on-Sea Edges Past The Essex Juniors in Wind-Swept Coastal Battle
Match 3 Report – First Away Fixture of the Season

In their first away match of the season, the Essex Juniors travelled to the windswept links of Frinton-on-Sea, where gusting coastal winds, thick rough, and tricky fairways combined to provide a stern test of character and course management. Despite a gritty comeback and a match that went down to the wire, the hosts edged it 3–2, leaving Essex with heads held high and eyes on revenge in the home leg.
The day started with a twist before a ball had even been struck. A last-minute no-show from one of the Frinton players handed Essex an early point by default, but also posed a dilemma: who would step aside? In a gesture that epitomised team spirit, Harry offered to drop out with a consolation game with Swanny who just happened to have his sticks in the car. 
As the opening group teed off, the course and conditions made their presence known. Drew’s high, wind-pushed drive set the tone, Freddie followed with a clean iron strike, Tierney struggled with early nerves into the rough, while George made a confident start, splitting the fairway with a strong wood.
By the fourth green, The Essex were trailing in three of the four matches. The early signs were ominous—Drew 1 down, Tierney and George both 2 down, with only Freddie looking in control at 1 up. The Frinton side, clearly at home in the breeze and bounce of their local turf, looked poised to assert dominance.
At the turn, the winds hadn’t relented—but the away team’s resolve hadn’t either. Freddie had extended his lead to 4 up with trademark composure and quiet control. Drew had slipped to 2 down but remained unfazed. Tierney was struggling with the swirling gusts and narrow margins, now 5 down. George, despite early setbacks, had steadied the ship, still just 2 down and beginning to mount a response.
Tierney’s match concluded early on the 12th with a 7&6 loss, a tough day but invaluable experience for the road ahead. Minutes later, Freddie delivered Essex’s second point with a calm 5&3 victory—never in doubt, and keen to keep going just for the joy of how well he was striking it.
Back in contention at 2–2, attention turned to Drew and George.
Drew, still 2 down at the 14th, responded with quiet confidence. “I got it,” he said, when told Essex needed a turnaround—and he meant it. He clawed his way back to all square by the 17th, fists pumping, battling both wind and opponent. But a brilliant chip to a tricky two-tiered green by his Frinton counterpart sealed it on the last hole.
Now all square in the match, and all eyes now turned to George.
Reports filtered through—he was all square on 12, then 1 up by 14. Drew, now finished with his own round, shouldered George’s bag and stepped in as caddy. It was a fitting show of unity in a match where margins were razor-thin.
George’s tee shot on the 16th found a gorse bush, with his opponent close to the green George was unable to advance his ball and conceded the hole. All square with two par-5s to play. George held the distance advantage, but Dan (his opponent) produced a moment of brilliance, firing a fairway wood to two feet on 17. It was a decisive blow that George couldn’t match.
Both players hit textbook drives and approaches into 18, but Dan’s steady two-putt was enough to halve the hole and seal the match for Frinton.
Final score: Frinton-on-Sea 3 – Essex Juniors 2
Despite the result, the Essex Juniors showed grit, resilience, and a team-first attitude throughout a brutally testing day. Freddie’s clinical win, Drew’s gutsy comeback, George’s back-nine fightback, and Harry’s selfless team spirit were all worthy highlights. If we’re not winning we’re learning. 
The rematch on home soil next week can’t come soon enough.

Match 2  What a Battle!
Home V Clacton on sea GC

Here we go again  Match 2, back on home turf, and the excitement was high. A late change in the lineup saw super sub Ben stepping in after one of our players didn’t have enough rounds under their belt. The team was reshuffled, the vibes were positive, and we were ready to go.
Teeing Off
Harry led the team off with a solid iron right down the middle  a statement start. Drew, playing his first match for the team, had a nervy opening with a wayward drive. Freddy’s tee shot looked great until the wind got hold of it, and T followed with a similar fate. Then came steady Ben iron down the middle. All five were off and running, with George as reserve playing behind, keeping pace and cheering the team on.
I had Dom Irwin and Pete Clark alongside me helping manage the day. We caught up with Ben at the 1st  steady as always, halved the hole. T hit the green on the 2nd  all square again. The early signs were promising.
Tracking the Scores. 
By the 4th green, early updates came through:
• Harry: 2 up, but in a real battle.
• Drew: 1 up, playing steady.
• Freddy: 1 down, but digging deep.
• T: 1 up, fighting hard.
• Ben: 2 down early.
So, almost the mirror image of Match 1 – 3 up, 2 down. Tense stuff!
The Turn
At the 9th, the tide was shifting:
• Harry still 2 up  a gripping match.
• Drew stuck his approach beautifully – 1 up at the turn.
• Freddy had flipped his match  now 1 up!
• T’s match was on a knife-edge  back to 1 down but playing great golf.
• Ben had turned it around  2 down to 2 up. What a comeback!
Bob jumped in to support Ben on the back nine as ben’s caddy the atmosphere was buzzing!
Back Nine Drama
At the 13th, Drew’s opponent unleashed a monster drive  20–30 yards short of the green! But Drew held his composure, halving the hole.
Then came a moment that made everyone smile Drew’s bunker shot on 14 may not have been his best, but his recovery from the trees was pure class, keeping his 1-up lead heading to 15. Well in, Drew!
Freddy extended his lead to 2 up after a delicate chip on the par-3 14th.
T also hit a brilliant chip on 14, but despite her efforts, lost the hole to a par  back to 2 down, but still battling.
Ben, cool and collected, stayed 2 up.
At 16:
• Harry was now all square  such a close match.
• Drew went 2 up after his opponent went OB twice. 
• Ben remained solid 3 up needing a half on 16 to win ?. 
First Points Roll In
Freddy bagged the first point – 3&2. Get in!
At 17, Drew showed real composure. After finding the fairway and hitting a great second shot, he got up and down from the greenside to take the win 3&1 – two points secured, and he redeemed that earlier chip in style.
T had clawed her match back to all square. Ben was still in control. 
Ben Seals It!
And there it was  Ben wins 4&2. What a performance from our super sub!
Essex take the win ? 
Down to the Wire
Still out there  Harry and T.
Harry’s match went all the way. Despite a strong performance and incredible effort, he narrowly lost on 18. A real show of heart, resilience, and class.
Then came the moment of the day  T’s match. Over 30 people gathered around the 18th green. The atmosphere was electric, but respectful  a credit to everyone watching. T found the bunker but chipped out beautifully and held her nerve to half the hole and force a playoff  incredible!
Playoff Hole Showdown
The crowd moved to the 1st tee. Both players striped their tee shots down the fairway. Their second shots were solid T just short, Coco (her opponent) in the bunker.
Then… silence.
Coco stepped up and hit a stunning bunker shot to within 5 feet. T responded with a composed chip onto the green. It came down to putting. T’s first rolled just past. Coco, under pressure, calmly sank her par putt to take the win.
What a moment  two talented young players, a huge crowd, total respect from all involved. A match worthy of any final. Hats off to T and Coco  you gave us all something special to witness.
⸻
Thanks and Reflections
Back at the clubhouse, the players were treated to burgers and chips  a first for us and very well received!
Massive thanks to:
• The front of house and chef team  your flexibility in delaying food for the playoff meant everything.
• Coach Shane your dedication, time, and belief in these players is unmatched. None of this happens without you.
• The club members, parents, and supporters, and of course my wingmen Dom and Pete  thank you.
• Our sponsors  you make these opportunities possible. With two  Youth Shield matches down 4 to go I thank you all for you continued support.
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Final Score: Essex win 3–2
Another thrilling, hard fought encounter. We’re away tomorrow  can we do it again on the road in our first away match? We’ll keep you posted!
To every player  well played. We are incredibly proud.