THE County played their second pre season friendly against a strong team of Professionals on Sunday at Whipsnade Park Golf Club. The result of the match went in favour of the Professionals by 7 matches to 5 matches but proved a very us

Golf by Alan Booth

THE County played their second pre season friendly against a strong team of Professionals on Sunday at Whipsnade Park Golf Club.

The result of the match went in favour of the Professionals by 7 matches to 5 matches but proved a very useful fixture for the County Team Manager with some new players making an impression.

With one result outstanding, the County looked like gaining an excellent half but some determined play from the Professionals meant they picked up an additional point to secure victory.

The professionals won the foursomes 3-1, with wins for Chris Weston/Steve Harris, one hole, and Martin Bird/Daniel Field, 2&1, with the other two matches halved. In the singles, tied 4-4, county winners were Glen Portelli 3&1, Tom Speyer 2&1, Sam Claridge, one hole and for the pros Mark Day 2&1, Andrew Hurley, one hole and Rob Leonard, 9&7, with two matches halved.

Whipsnade Park Golf Club provided excellent facilities coupled with a challenging and very well presented golf course and the county wish to express their thanks to the club.

Andrew Clapp, Herts county coach and Herts Professional Champion, has been appointed club professional at Brickendon Grange.

For the last two years he has been teaching professional at Hatfield London club and before that was professional at The Shire, London, formerly Bridgedown, near Barnet.

"While I have been happy at Hatfield London it has just been a teaching position, and I am looking forward to a traditional club pro's job which, while teaching is an important part, also entails running a pro shop and catering for members' requirements," said Andy.

"It marks a new challenge which I will enjoy, and I will also continue my playing career in East Region events and Herts Alliance matches."

As twice winner of the Herts Pro Championship, he will be defending his title at South Herts next month and aiming to make it a hat-trick. Another target is the Open Championship in July. Ten years ago, he qualified for the Open at Royal Birkdale, and completed all four rounds, finishing creditably in 57th place. With the Open again at Royal Birkdale he intends to try to qualify again.

"It would be great to be in the field again - I am exempt for the first regional qualifier, having finished in the top ten in the Club Pro's Championship, which gives me an advantage, and I hope to capitalise on that. It's every player's dream to play in the Open, and having done so once, it makes the prospect of a second time even more exciting.