The SCC: Team Liverpool preparation “spot on, as usual”

Monday 2 May 2011

Team Liverpool preparation “spot on, as usual”

SCC crowd favourites and perennial nearly men Team Liverpool have been taking a relaxed approach to preparing for this year’s big event at Nefyn GC.

Ian Woosnam OBE, former Masters champion and captain of the SCC commentary team, commented to SCCblogspot:

“It may be a bit unorthodox, but I think they’ve got it spot on, as usual.

I mean, why play more golf than you actually need to?”

Matkinson has stepped up his preparation in recent weeks by promoting his new “SCC diet”, in conjunction with various fast food joints on Holloway Road in north London.

“I’m a particular favourite of The Colonel, obviously.” Matkinson explained. “Although I also like the Keema Kebab, Pizza, Chicken, Fish, Chips, Sandwich and Salad House. It’s all about building a solid base for a solid swing.”

We can also report that Matkinson thought his birthday golf lesson a qualified success:

“He [the Hanbury Manor GC pro] looked at several aspects of my game. And he recommended quite a few changes to almost every aspect, to be honest. He also thought I had, I quote, ‘next to no chance’ of keeping a ball in play round Nefyn, which I think was a tad harsh.”

Taken a bit aback by this feedback, Matkinson has since limited his preparation to a little relaxed crazy golf with his girlfriend:

“I particularly wanted to work on my putting after last year’s debacle. Obviously a little crazy golf might help. Plus it’s good practise in case I’m ever asked to play Royal Hale.”

Chris Seddon, or “Seds” as he is affectionately known, has also been carbing up a bit in preparation for the SCC:

But he has largely been focusing on the mental aspects of his game.

“I’m just trying to block out a few things which might make me angry or upset”, Seds explained.

It’s to be hoped, then, that no-one mentions that semi-final at any stage during the weekend in Nefyn.

When asked by SCCblogspot about his recent Wembley experience, Seds flew into a rage and refused to talk any further to us, muttering bitterly “why didn’t he play Matty Taylor from the start, what was he thinking?”

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SCC History

The idea of an annual golfing challenge between Birmingham and Manchester was first proposed at some time over the Christmas of 2005. Since that time, two-ball teams have fought over a gruelling weekend for the honour of calling their city ‘Britain’s Second City’.

Royal Nefyn Golf Course in North Wales hosted the first competition over the Easter of 2006.

The representatives of Birmingham, Nicholas Brooker and Benjamin Williams fought to the last hole of an intense weekend of golf, over three rounds, only to succumb to a world-class put on the final hole from Peter Bramwell, representing Manchester. Neil Guyton, the other member of the Manchester pairing carded an estimated two under par for the final round to help the Mancunians to the title of Britain’s Second City, 2006.

The success of the competition in its fledgling year was enough to generate interest from other cities around the country believing they can stake a claim to the title of Britain’s Second City.

The competition moved to Royal St Davids in 2007 and witnessed a swelling in competitor numbers with the introduction of groups from Liverpool and Nottingham. Mathew Atkinson playing for Liverpool and Simon Porter and Dominic Williams playing for Nottingham were unable to mount any sort of a challenge in the new format competition. Manchester retained their crown after another tense final hole in which Nottingham could have won either the title or wooden spoon. They ended up with the latter. Birminghams challenge was dealt a cruel blow as Ben Williams was struck down by tonsilitus.

SCC2008 was hosted by Averdovey over a cold and windy April weekend. For the first time, competitor numbers were at capacity with the addition of Chris Seddon to the Liverpool team. As seems to be the tradition with the competition, the title went to the last hole where Birmingham held their nerve against a rejuvinated Nottingham pairing. Liverpool collected the wooden spoon.

SCC2009 tooks the competitors to South Wales and the Pennard Golf Club, near Swansea. With a surge of golf club membership over the summer, the event promised to dish up golf of an even higher quality than had been witnessed so far. However, the extreme challenge presented by Pennard reduced the competetors to wrecks of the former golfers they once were! Manchester secured their 3rd title at the 16th hole of the final round against a highly competitive Team Liverpool. Birmingham narrowly beat Liverpool to second place with a final round victory over the wooden spoon winners Nottingham.

2010 was a big year for the SCC. The 5th year anniversary competition saw the teams take on a the new challenge of Tenby Golf Course. In a break with tradition, this years captain was elected from outside of the original foursome and all agreed than Matkinson did an excellent job. Neil Guytons absence from the Team Manchester line up did little to change the recent trend. Pet Bumwell, partnered by Matt Miller, chalked up another victory on the excellent Tenby track. The only thing counting against the course was the huge journies faced by all.

2011 saw Nick take up the captaincy reigns. The SCC went back to it's roots and introduced Nottingham and Liverpool to the wonders of the old course at Neffyn.

2012 is a seminal year in the history of the competition. The format and name were both changed in order to expand the number of competitors to 9. The Second City Challenge from this point on became simply The SCC. The new competition now pitches 3 3-ball teams against each other, drawn according to handicap this year, but in future years based upon performance in the previous years competition. The first test of the new competition was held at Pyle and Kenfig. 'Getting blobby' was born amidst some high scoring as a result of the usual SCC weather.

2013 took The SCC to North Wales Golf Club, Llandudno in the hope of providing a slightly less harsh golfing test for the players. The rain and wind stayed away for the most part and scores were must improved. An early target for best individual score was set by B Williams of 46 points (off a handicap of 20).

Monday 2 May 2011

Team Liverpool preparation “spot on, as usual”

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