TOBY Burden described defending their South Division title as one of the best days in more than 20 years playing golf for the county.
Having made his men’s league debut back in 2006 after several years in the county junior ranks, Toby’s greater experience in the anchor role proved crucial as a half on the 15th closed out his 4&3 victory, earning Hampshire the point to draw the match and take the title for the fifth time in 13 years.
A delighted Burden said: “The team celebrated by the 16th after I walked in. The respect and togetherness we have is exceptional.
“We all pulled for each other and are full invested in our conversations. No one is above anyone. We are all in this together – that was one of my best days I’ve ever had playing golf.”
Burden paid tribute to county coaches Kevin Flynn (Tournerbury) and Simon Andrews (Portsmouth Golf Centre) and to Hampshire Golf’s secretary Richard Arnold and his assistant Chris Harrison.
“The team are just such good players but also brilliant blokes along with everything that our support team do for us, so we are as prepared as possible. A massive, massive thanks goes to them.
County coach Kevin Flynn was praised by Hampshire captain Toby Burden. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES
“Kev didn’t stop all day – following the team around, giving great advice. He’s a different level,” Toby added.
Burden, the first Hayilng player to hold the Hampshire captaincy in nearly 75 years, was also delighted to see that level of preparation pay off.
Toby, who has appeared in five county finals and helped Hampshire reach the English County Finals in 2010 before turning pro that summer added: “We knew that as much as it’s an away game we know the course so well.
“We treated it like a home game and that mindset really helped us,˘ said the 38-year-old who won the English Champion of Champions title in 2019, a trophy won by both Lee Westwood and Tommy Fleetwood as amateurs.
Burden was Lawrence Cherry’s vice-captain last year when Hampshire won the Daily Telegraph Salver for the first time since 2012, and the 10th time altogether.
And Cherry, who moved to Dubai in May, leaving Burden to step up into the top job mid-season, was delighted to see his predecessor at the course on Sunday, cheering Hampshire to their 17th South Division title.
He said: “Lawrence came back for a friend’s wedding over the weekend, and he was determined to see us retain the title we won last summer. HIs job managing The Montgomerie in Dubai is a dream job.
“We might have to see if the South East League organisers fancy moving the final from Middlesex to The Montgomerie so he can watch us in the final,” he joked.
•SURREY v HAMPSHIRE – FULL RESULTS
Lawrence Cherry (right) – Burden’s predecessor as county captain – was back in the UK to see Hampshire retain the South Division title he led them to last year. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES