University of Lincoln’s golf first team lost their first match after the winter break 4.5-1.5 to Northumbria University on Wednesday, January 20th.
After three defeats out of five Lincoln were once again led out by the usual pairing of Rory Dixon and Alex Taylor. Dixon was once again playing British Universities and College’s top-rated golfer Nicky Maddison.
Yet he was unable to find his usual game through the opening holes and found himself three down through eight. But, with some fantastic catch-up golf, Dixon made six birdies over the next nine holes and eventually took the rubber two and one.
Taylor followed suit with some great golf against a tough opponent however he was unable to draw level on the final hole and finished his tie one down.
Second out for Lincoln was Sam Buss and Lewis Pearce. Buss played against the opposing captain, and came up against a player with a very similar game to his own. It wasn’t a surprise when the match went to the final hole, but unfortunately Buss couldn’t regain his composure to win and lost one down.
Buss’ partner Pearce was also not up to his usual high standards, and coming up against a very tough opponent, he eventually went down to a five and four defeat.
Lincoln’s final pairing featured Jonny Elliott and Jamie Powell. Elliott, despite playing a consistent round of golf, couldn’t quite replicate his form on the Woodhall Spa greens and fell to a two and one loss. It was therefore Powell, who had the chance to earn a consolation rubber for Lincoln.
Even though he played some particularly scrappy golf, Powell did manage to keep up with his Northumbria opponent, and after making birdies on 15, 16 and 17, he found himself one up. But it was a lead he couldn’t capitalise on and he had to settle for half as he walked off the 18th hole.
The team have now slumped to four defeats and now occupy 4th place in the BUSC Golf Premier division. Buss’ men will need to show signs of improvement if they are to make the national knock-outs for a second year running.
Lincoln tee-off on Wednesday at Woodhall Spa against University of Central Lancashire, who currently top the Premier division table having lost only one match all season.
I played with Alex Taylor last year in the Glebe Amateur Champ, what a player, what a lad and what a boy. Fantastic Golfer, I can’t praise him enough. Such a good looking young Golfer as well. Nice to see Altay flourishing at Uni, he has a game which could take him to the very top.
Well done to Dixon as well, what a boy and what a competitor!
Up the Lincoln.