Pat and Jack Ashby had their week of their golfing lives as they beat two former winners on their way to claiming the prestigious Father and Sons Foursomes at West Hill.
FORMAT: Seven-round, foursomes matchplay knock-out
Taking part in the seven-round knockout for the third time, the Worthing duo overcame the 2021 champions in the first round and then disposed of last year’s winners Andrew and Tristan Greenleaf in the quarter-finals on their way to beating Surrey’s Nigel and Chris Gray 3&1 in yesterday’s final.
With Jack only having played once this year at at Worthing, the duo travelled to Surrey on Monday with little expectation and dad Pat even made arrangements for the following day. They had also never previously got past the second round, winning once on their debut two years ago before losing in the first round in 2022.
“I am still a bit stunned,” said Pat this afternoon. “It was all a bit surreal. When we saw the draw we just came with little expectations, especially as Jack’s last competitive round was on December 29th.
“But we rode the rollercoaster and in the final felt very relaxed and calm. It helped that Nigel and Chris (Gray) were great company.”
Pat also picked out two long iron shots from Jack in the last 16/8 matches as pivotal moments. In both ties they teed off 18 level with two-handicapper Jack hitting a 220-yard five iron to eight feet to set up safe passage into the quarter-finals and then, in the afternoon, he struck a 240-yard three iron to four feet to effectively decide the match with the reigning champions.
Pat added: “The second in particular was a spectacular shot. It was probably a career moment for Jack.”
Dad made no mistake with the short stick and his efforts on the greens throughout all seven rounds were also a major factor in their success.
“Two years ago I switched to the claw grip from a traditional grip and it made a massive difference,” added the 13 handicapper. “And I don’t think I have ever putted as well as I did this week.”
In the first round against Roger (Mill Ride) and Benjamin Frost (Wentworth), their match was nip and tuck all the way and the tie was decided at the first extra hole where the Ashbys found the green in regulation and two putts was enough as their opponents chipped long with their third and couldn’t make par.
On day two they won 3&2 and 6&4 before Jack’s 18th hole heroics got the duo into yesterday’s semi-finals, where they were never down against Simon and Sean Lake (Coed Y Mwster).
In the final the Worthing pair got up early and by the sixth were three up against the Hankley Common duo but by the 10th it was back to all square.
The Ashbys quickly responded, taking the 12th and 13th, and they maintained that advantage with two holes to play.
On the par five 17th, Jack bombed down a three wood and then his dad hit a seven iron out of the rough before the younger man found the putting surface in three.
But their opponents struggled their way down the hole and, when they failed to find the green with their fourth, the match was conceded.
Pat added: “I have never played seven rounds in four days so my feet are a bit sore but it was such a great week and everyone at West Hill was so welcoming and friendly.”
The event dates back to 1931 and the likes of Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick have been previous entrants.