For the very amateur golfer, it does not get much bigger than Wedge week – especially when it is your home leg.
The team has been selected, the pairings been analysed, the course order been picked and even the weather looks like it may behave itself – all in all, confidence is feeling pretty high in Camp Walton.
You could say that the Wedge is a bit like the Ryder Cup, or the Ryder Cup is a bit like the Wedge. (same difference I guess) Whichever way you look at it, there are two groups of individuals that come together to represent their team and club for one fantastic day of foursomes. (golf)
Alongside the friendships and comradery between the two teams that has forged better than Michael (Hedges) and I could have ever imagined, there is always one common goal – and that is to win the Wedge Trophy at all costs and have bragging rights until the next time the two teams do battle.
Following on with the Ryder Cup theme, I have managed to draw a few (loose) parallels –
1. TEAM WALTON IS LIKE TEAM EUROPE & TEAM DEAL IS PROBABLY LIKE TEAM USA.
There is me, captaining Team Walton – like McGinley, an average golfer at best, but backs himself as an organiser and tactician.
On the other hand, you have Michael Hedges, a bit like Tom Watson (just much younger and more handsome). Michael is one of the most celebrated golfers at Royal Cinque Ports – just take a look at all of the boards at Deal and I imagine you cannot fail to be inspired playing for him.
2. AS IAN POULTER IS MR RYDER CUP – DAVID PAYNE IS MR WEDGE TROPHY
The House of Payne has played in every Wedge Trophy for Team Walton and has a champagne record to show for it (quite literally) – whenever the Captain needs some magic – you can turn to DP. A special person to have in the Captain’s armoury.
3. THE ROOKIES
Team Deal have selected 4 rookies in their team – Team USA had 3 (pretty close parallel!).
Hedges, like Watson, has also decided to put two of them out together in the morning round. For Walton’s sake, I hope the pairing is not as fruitful as Speith and Reed were in the Friday morning Fourballs at this years Ryder Cup.
4. GRAEME MCDOWELL / VICTOR DUBUISSON
McDowell & Dubuisson – one of the most formidable European partnerships. Walton’s Vice Captain is the very experienced Andrew Berryman – he has been there and done it. He will be taking on the mentoring role, like Graeme McDowell.
‘Bezzer’ is out with Walton Heath’s one rookie – Stephen Tillie. ‘Tills’ is the youngster in our team (DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE HAIRLINE) and is one of our most talented golfers in the pack. Berryman volunteered to take Tillie under his wing and plan to bring a point home for Team Walton against the two Deal rookies in Match 4.
Anyway, parallel’s so far look good for Team Walton.
COME ON WALTON!
