ROYAL Jersey are eyeing the chance of claiming a fourth County Sevens crown this weekend, to become one of the five most successful clubs in Hampshire Golf’s Inter-Club Knockout.
After a stunning comeback to knockout L’Ancresse after travelling to Guernsey for the Channel Islands Final, last month, Royal Jersey, who last won the Hampshire Sevens in 2013, travel to Rowlands Castle for Sunday’s Finals Day.
They must hope they can end Southwick Park’s fairytale run with a knockout in their first semi-final in the club’s history, and then face the winners of Hockley and Liphook in the final.
Liphook currently bask in the title of being Hampshire’s highest-ranked course in a number of top 100 UK courses lists, with scarily fast greens. But the Sevens trophy is one piece of Hampshire silverware that has definitely eluded their grasp in their long history.
The Hockley team that won the Hampshire Sevens in 2008 when the finals were held at the Twyford Down club
Hockley have four wins to their names, while Royal Jersey have the chance to join the three clubs that have won the County Sevens four times or more since the competition was created back in 1966, when Aldershot’s Army Garrison were the first winners.
The Army GC have five wins in total, but were eliminated by Liphook, while host club Rowlands Castle, who have a record six victories – the last in 2018 when they beat Royal Jersey on the last green in almost darkness at Barton-on-Sea, whose last hole over water overlooks Solent’s famous Needles landmark.
A final against Hockley would likely be a needle affair with no quarter given, as a repeat of the 2013 Inter-club Knockout final at Weybrook Park, when the Channel Islanders triumphed in the pouring rain.
Royal Jersey include teenage prospect Aiden Williams, who is the youngest player in the finals, at just 13, and boasting a 100 per cent record from his four matches, against Wheatlands, La Moye, 2022 finalists Les Ormes, and L’Ancresse.
The youngster beat L’Ancresse greenkeeper Wayne Moore 2&1 in the second match out to put the visitors in front before Guernsey player Tom Le Hurray won at the 19th against Kevin Therin in the top match to make it 1-1.
The Guernsey Champions then went 3-1 up as Steve Mahy, a finalist in the 2007 Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel Islands Amateur Championship, and Jack Mitchell beat Royal Jersey’s Philip Grehan and Jason Byrne 2&1 and 3&1 respectively.
But Paul Le Rougetel and Chris Huelin produced 5&3 wins over the hosts’ Sam Le Hurray and George Melhuish to tie the match at 3-3.
The winning Royal Jersey team at Weybrook Park in 2013. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES
The result rested on Sam Quail’s match against L‘Ancresse’s Sean Mills. Sevens captain Dan Burchell said: “Sam has had a great season in Jersey Golf. For the last match, you need a cool head under pressure and Sam provided just that.
“He made a brilliant par on the 17th to close out the match. To win from 3-1 down is something I am really proud of. The lads all dug very deep and get their reward to fight for the title at Rowlands Castle.
“They were very confident going into the match but we showed a lot of fight and character from a tough position, especially away from home. I think it was a bit of a surprise for L’Ancresse on home soil.
“Going to L’Ancresse was extremely tough. Most of our team members hadn’t played the course and we had torrential rain as we started our practice round the night before the match so that didn’t work out as planned.
“They played a team of very experienced, low-handicappers – many with Island team and club matchplay experience.
“But our team showed a great spirit and confidence from the previous matches. That was the toughest match we faced although we surprised a number of our own members by beating Wheatlands away in the first Sevens match.
“We’ve been able to play well-balanced sides in terms of handicaps so most matches haven’t seen a significant exchange of shots.
“At L’Ancresse we received more shots and the boys used them well. I’m incredibly proud of the team and their achievements this year – it’s been a privilege to be a part of the group.
“We’ve had a tough run starting with Wheatlands away, followed by La Moye away and a home fixture against Les Ormes who also won against difficult teams this year to join us in the Jersey final.
“We have had a fairly settled team for the matches with availability forcing a few changes along the way but it’s been a small group and all players have contributed.
“We have a mix of ‘experienced’ members making their sevens debuts, some newer members and our exciting junior Aiden, who has gone from strength-to-strength.
The famous Royal Jersey course at Grouville with Gorey’s Mont Orgueil Castle in the distance. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES
“The club has a great record in the County Sevens and is rightly very proud of those achievements.
“In my opinion the changes in moving to full handicap difference and a maximum of 15 in the Inter-Club Knockout makes selection a different proposition – more so with the addition of course handicaps (under World Handicap System), especially on away games.
“I know this team would be hugely proud to join those winning teams and I can sense it’s a positive motivation for them this weekend.”
Royal Jersey – whose wins came in 1983, 2005 and 2013 – are scheduled to play a practice round on Saturday afternoon when they will get their first look at the Harry Colt-layout, which is very much a second-shot course.
In the 21st Century, the club has produced 2018 Spanish Amateur Champion Billy McKenzie, who won recently on the Clutch Pro Tour, having claimed the Berkshire and Tillman trophies while a top-five ranked NAIA player at William Woods University, winning the Phil Mickelson Freshman of the Year.
Fellow England international Darren Wright, one of just nine players to win both the Carris and Brabazon trophies to be crowned English Boys’ and Men’s Strokeplay Champion, in their career.
Dan added: “There is excitement to play a course and indeed clubs we are not familiar with.“
Minnows Les Mielles produced arguably the biggest shock in the County Seven’s 56 previous finals – despite what are regarded as challenging conditions at the course, which the tight-but-small band of members don’t own.
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Mighty minnows Les Mielles won the Hampshire Sevens last year. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES