Gales Hockley Final Hockley hosted the Gales Hockley Over 50's Knockout Final for the 47th consecutive year on Saturday, 16 September. Jointly sponsored by Fullers Brewery (formerly Gales/Marstons) and Hockley Golf Club, Hayling Golf Club and Broadstone Golf Club put out teams of high quality players and it produced a match worthy of the Final. Both clubs are previous winners of the competition, but neither had not done so for many years: Broadstone last won in 1981 and only returned to the competition for the first time in 20 years last year and Hayling Golf Club last collected the Gales Hockley Trophy in 1999. In perfect conditions, two strong sides produced a very exciting and close contest with all but two of the nine singles matches being played to at least the 16th hole, with one match not being decided until the 21st.
Hayling eventually won 5.5 - 3.5 and, following a formal dinner at which the President of Hockley Robert Stilwell, and the Vice Captain Damian Cain were in attendance, the Gales Hockley Trophy was presented to Pete Williams, Team Captain of Hayling. Allan Hutchins, Team Captain of Broadstone Golf Club, received the Gales Hockley Salver. As with all these events they take a lot of time behind the scenes to make them a success and special thanks go to organisers Paul Mantell and Derek Noyce for their hard work in making the competition run so smoothly.
|