Guernsey confident and team morale is strong

GUERNSEY are aiming to turn the tables on their Caesarean counterparts when L'Ancresse hosts the Junior Inter-Insular this weekend. The Sarnians are going into the match off a run of three heavy defeats against Jersey but, on paper, this year's team is equal to the visitors in handicaps, age and experience.

'It is certainly the strongest team we have been able to field for several years,' said manager Chris Thompson.

'We have got a lot more experience in the line-up and that is going to help.'

All of the RBSI-sponsored Guernsey team have played a great deal of golf this summer and are benefiting from being allowed to enter both L'Ancresse and Royal Guernsey competitions. Thompson described it as 'terrific support from both clubs'.

Every team member has featured prominently in those competitions at various times this summer and they have been shooting well under their handicaps, which has led to excellent competition for places in this match.

'They have been fighting each other to get in the team. For them, this is the pinnacle of their golfing year,' Thompson said.

And for the majority of the side it will be the pinnacle of next year as well because Guernsey has produced several talented teenage golfers who are progressing together.

'We have got only two lads, James Cooper and Ave Thompson, who will not be available next year due to their age.

'It often tends to be very cyclical in that you will have a group that grows up together.

'Jersey have quite a few new caps this year; we have only two new caps and the potential for a steady team over the next few years,' said Thompson.

When it comes to deciding who partners whom in the foursomes and the fourballs, the team manager does not have any concerns about pairing any two players together.

'We are in the fortunate position that all the lads get on very well and they play together a lot,' Thompson said.

'We have been keeping an eye on them during the season, but we will have no problems in making up the pairings.'

Final preparations have gone well, with a useful trip to the Junior Hampshire County Championships earlier this month, and the team has played in two very close matches against both the L'Ancresse and Royal Guernsey Golf Clubs recently.

But the next two days will reveal whether it has been worthwhile.

'Morale is good. The boys are confident, but not overly so. Some have got experience of losing after being confident in the past so they know not to take anything for granted,' said Thompson.

'They have just got to keep their heads and play the full 18 holes until the match is won.'

The teams begin their quest for nine of the possible 17 points with the foursomes tomorrow at 9am and the fourballs starting at 1.30pm.

Sunday is singles day when the first match goes out at 8.30am.