Joe’s Dutch courage sees Wales avoid wooden spoon

Joe Phillips provided some final hole drama at the under-16s Quadrangular in Southerndown by edging out Dario Antonisse to see Wales halve their match with the Netherlands and avoid the wooden spoon.

The Gower golfer went in to the hole knowing that as Jordan Golley (Clyne) had halved with Pierre Verlaar, if he could avoid defeat then Wales would avoid finishing bottom.

It was big pressure on such young shoulders, particularly as both he and Golley had been thrashed 7&6 in the morning’s foursomes by the same opponents, but he came through by a hole and condemned the courageous Dutch to the dreaded last place booby prize.

It also stopped a losing run that had seen the hosts beaten by eventual winners Ireland on day one and then reigning champions Scotland on day two.

The hosts trailed 3-1 from the morning’s foursomes play, with only Ben Chamberlain (Padeswood & Buckley) and Tom Davies (Penrhos) scoring a point via a two hole victory over Mike Toorop and Maarten van Mourik.

But after going 4-1 down after the first singles match as Chamberlain lost to Veth 3&2, Wales took five of the remaining seven points to square the match at 6-6.

Davies picked up his second victory of the day, beating Markovitz 3&2, while Dan Pickering (Pontypridd) and Nefyn & District’s Tom Froom also picked up wins over Toorop and Jim de Heij respectively, before Phillips’ late heroics.

In the day’s other encounter, Ireland wrestled Scotland’s crown from their grasp with an impressive 8-4 victory to be crowned champions.

Wales had gone down heavily to Ireland in their first encounter, 9.5-2.5. Their only points that day came via the formidable doubles partnership of Chamberlain and Davies, while Abergele’s Harri Jones beat Conor Purcell in the singles play and Phillips and Jamie Pickering (Pontypridd) halved with Mark Rea and David Brady.

They put up a better fight against the defending champions, but Scotland won the last three matches to take the day 8-4.

Chamberlain and Davies again triumphed, meaning they were unbeaten throughout while playing together, thumping Niall McMullen and Jack Thomas 6&4.

Chamberlain’s good day continued with a 5&4 beating of Thomas, while the Pickering brothers picked up singles wins over Chris Curran and Cameron Black to complete Wales’ scoring.

Overall, Wales finished the event with a gross of 12.5-23.5.