The University of Lincoln golf team played their fourth match of the season against a University of Birmingham side tipped for success, on Wednesday, November 17.
Lincoln for the first time this season were playing at their home course of Woodhall Spa, and confidence was high as play got under way on the first tee. Lincoln were led off by Rory Dixon and Alex Taylor, who had both been in good form through the opening matches this season, going into this one without a single defeat to their names.
Yet, neither of them could really get their five-star game going on the day and it was Birmingham who had the early run of the greens. The West Midlands team had only lost once this year coming into the match and it certainly showed. Birmingham’s top two players were playing with a lot of consistency and inevitably Dixon fell to a three and two loss, while Taylor lost to a four and three deficit.
Out in the middle group was captain Sam Buss and Christian Swann, who was returning from a thumb operation that had kept him out for a couple of months. Buss quickly found his stride and his Birmingham opponent never really had a scent of victory. After the disappointment of Dixon and Taylor it was Buss who came through with an assured six and five win. Swann was playing the only female golfer in the Birmingham side, and the yardage advantage off the tee became too much to handle. He eventually went down to a three and two loss.
Off the tee last was Lewis Pearce and Jamie Powell. Pearce was up against Daniel Beattie, who represents British Universities, and it soon became apparent that Powell would face a difficult 18 holes. Unfortunately Pearce had trouble, mainly with the driver, and as much as he fought back, Beattie kept his cool taking a six and five victory.
Last to finish was Powell, and with Lincoln already losing 1-4 it was up to him to claw back the final rubber. He obliged, eventually closing out his opponent on the 18th hole to finish two up. It was always going to be a tricky affair for Lincoln and the final score ended 2-4 to Birmingham. That defeat now puts the first team in 4th place and nine points off the front runners, University of Central Lancashire.
Lincoln’s next match sees them host Newcastle University, and it is worth noting that they haven’t won a game all season.