The highly anticipated Town v Country fixture returned on Sunday, with Canterbury Town and Canterbury Country contesting three representative matches at Christchurch Golf Club. Several new faces had moved up into the Masters division with that grade shaping as the most intriguing contest on the day. The Juniors were also back in after five years away, which says plenty about the growing depth in Canterbury golf. In the men’s section Town turned up as heavy favourites, but Country were out to cause an upset against their big brother.
Seniors: Town in ruthless form (15.5–2.5)
The Seniors set the tone early, with Town taking the morning foursomes 5–1. The lone Country point came from Alfie Bell and Cameron Coombes, who accounted for Nash de Klerk/Cooper Moore 3&1. At the other end of the course Ricky Kang and Etienne Collier produced the performance of the morning, cruising to a 9&8 win over Max Edwards/Kohl Thompson-Small.
Town carried that momentum into the afternoon, winning 10 of the 12 singles to close the Seniors out 15.5–2.5. The standouts came from Sebastian May (7&6), Cooper Moore (6&5), Thomas Clayson (6&4) and Sam Harris (5&3). The rest of the Town side chipped in to run away with the afternoon. Country’s only response came from Devon Nightingale, who beat Louis Edwards 4&3, while Nash de Klerk and Max Edwards shared the spoils in the final match. That one went all the way to the last putt in the fading light.
Masters: Country turn the tables (9.5–5.5)
Twelve months after Town claimed the Masters points 8–4, it was Country’s turn to dominate this year and their first win in the grade since 2018. Andrew Green and Phil Stephens got the foursomes rolling with a 2up win over Scott Manyweathers/James Howard. Further points from Mike Toeke/Marcus Mariu (3&2) and Hayden Clinton/Garron Hawker (1up) gave Country a 3–2 foursomes advantage. Town hit back through Phil Bungard/Aaron Forsyth (2up) and Mike Boshoff/Joseph Larson (4&3).
Country pressed home the advantage in the singles, winning 6 of the 10 points on offer. Phil Stephens (6&5 over Aaron Forsyth), Mike Toeke (4&3 over Scott Manyweathers), Andrew Green (2up), Garron Hawker (5&4), Marcus Mariu (1up) and Hayden Clinton (3&2) all found the winning touch. Town’s replies came from Riki Borrell (1up), Tony Boon (4&3) and Joseph Larson (5&4) with James Howard and Gordon Carlyle halving the top match. The 6.5–3.5 singles scoreline sealed a 9.5–5.5 win for Country. That ends an eight-year wait for the Country Masters. No doubt that one was celebrated long into the night.
Juniors: honours even (6–6)
The Canterbury Juniors were back on for the first time in five years and produced the tightest contest of the day. Country edged the foursomes 3–1. Alex Kimber/Adam Riley and Jake Davies/Sam Smith each won 1up. Jonty Leech/Nixon Herd added a 2up win. Town’s only point came from Ryan Mordaunt and Jack Ferguson. They won comfortably 7&5.
Town responded strongly in the singles, taking 5 of the 8 points on offer through Samual Hammond (5&4), Seiji Dimitrov (3&2), Ryan Mordaunt (4&3), Jack Ferguson (4&3) and Darren Kung (4&3). Alex Kimber (2&1) and Sam Smith (1up) replied for Country. The whole day came down to the last match. Jonty Leech won the final hole to beat Maadi Kiri Kiri 1up and lock the overall contest at 6–6. Honours even in the Juniors and nothing between the two sides all day.
Thanks to Christchurch Golf Club for hosting this year’s fixture. Thanks also to everyone who took part across the Seniors, Masters and Juniors grades for making it another memorable day of Town v Country golf.
