Dawson concerned rule change will help rivals
‘SIX-MAN’ TEAMS CAN DISCARD HIGHEST SCORE IN THIS YEAR’S GOLF SOUTH-EAST QUALIFIER
AN important rule change for 2021 means Hampshire face an even bigger challenge to maintain their outstanding record in qualifying for the English County Finals.
That’s the verdict of Hampshire Golf captain Neil Dawson following an important amendment to the rules for the 2021 England Golf’s South East Qualifier – known as the ‘Six-man’.
Having seen his first attempt at qualifying for the finals wiped out by the Covid-19 crisis in 2020, Dawson knows his men will have a real fight on their hands to reach final number 14 in the county’s history in the competition, which dates back to the mid-1920s.
Dawson explained: “Up until last year, the competition – in all four regions – was determined by the best score over 36 holes, with all six players’ rounds counting – morning and afternoon.
“That meant that you could not afford a rules infringement that ended in a player being disqualified in either round – and also meant you could not afford an injury preventing them from completing their round.
“Both things have happened to other counties in the past. But a rule change means it’s going to be the best of five scores counting in both rounds in 2021.”
After a debate by England Golf – the amateur game’s ruling body for all national championships – it was decided the four regions – North, South East, South West and Midlands – could choose their own format.
Dawson, who led Hampshire Colts to the South East title in 2015 and 2016, said: “It was not my preference, but the South East Group has gone with five scores counting.”
“I think when you look back at the recent history of the South East Qualifier, you can see the reason why Hampshire play so well is the consistency in our six- man squad.
“You cannot really carry a bad score – something like five or sixover par in either round.
“In the past, we have had experienced mida mat e u r s (Over 35s) – like Martin Young, Ryan Henley, Mark Burgess, Matt Wilcox, and my predecessor Colin Roope, who know the ropes – and what it takes to win this event.
“Coupled with our talented England players like Harry Ellis, Scott Gregory and Billy McKenzie in recent years, plus Neil Raymond, Darren Wright and Sam Hutsby before them – we have nearly always been in the mix, even in the years we have not ended up winning.
“That strength in-depth is what separates the top counties, especially in our division, which is the largest of the four in England.”
And Dawson fears the rule change will help his rivals considerably.
Dawson, who took over from Roope at the end of 2019, said: “Now that you can discard the highest score in each round, it will bring more counties into the mix every year.”
After Martin Young led Hampshire to victory in both the regional qualifier and victory in the national finals in 2017, Roope’s team were simply outgunned by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (BB&O) in 2018.
They finished in second 12 shots behind the champions.
A year later, with former British Amateur champion Scott Gregory helping the team prepare for the shoot-out in Kent, the host county’s up-and-coming England juniors proved unbeatable.
Hampshire finished fifth – their worst result since 2011.