Chedhomme and Evans Guernsey’s debutants

Little more than 24 hours after it was confirmed the Ravenscroft Men’s Inter-Insular would go ahead as scheduled on 11-12 September, Island team captain Dave Jeffery announced the 10 players who will defend the Challenge Trophy at Royal Jersey Golf Club and it was no surprise that Chedhomme is among the new caps.

‘He was one of the first on the teamsheet – him and Danny Blondel were the first two,’ said Jeffery of the plus-three teenager who recently became the lowest-handicap golfer in the island.

Arthur Evans, who partnered Chedhomme to the runners-up spot in the Elite Men’s Foursomes Championship this summer and is an integral member of the successful L’Ancresse GC first team, is the other debutant selected.

‘Arthur was on the cusp of selection in 2019,’ Jeffery said.

‘No one practises more than Arthur and no one is keener – you want that sort of person around the team.

‘He has got an all-round solid game and in any format you would not have any worries about him.’

Meanwhile, Tom Pattimore is named in a Guernsey 10 for the first time, although he does have inter-insular experience having played in 2016 after travelling to Jersey as reserve on that occasion.

‘Although there were no automatic spots this year [because of the pandemic], we asked the players to play in Order of Merit events and Patty has done that and done very well in them,’ said Jeffery.

‘He is in the top five, so he is definitely there on merit and I am very pleased for him. He is a very chilled character and happy to play with anyone, which, from a captain’s point of view, is great.’

Jeffery revealed that Bobby Eggo and Daniel Griggs were among those players who were unavailable, along with Roland Mills and Jake Marshall, but selection had still been tough.

‘In terms of handicap it is one of the strongest teams we have been able to pick. Look at the handicap of those not playing – there are scratch and one handicaps missing out – and it says it all. It’s only going to get tougher in future, too.’

The captain admitted that he came very close to naming two teenagers in the side, but Island junior champion Rory McKenna will instead be reserve.

‘He was very close indeed ... I expect the likes of Rory, Ollie and Conor [McKenna] to be pushing hard for the team at home next year.’

Guernsey team to play Jersey in Ravenscroft Inter-Insular at Grouville on 11-12 September

Danny Bisson, Danny Blondel, Jamie Blondel, Ollie Chedhomme, Arthur Evans, Tom Le Huray, Steve Mahy, Mick Marley, Jeremy Nicolle, Tom Pattimore. Reserve: Rory McKenna.