Players sometimes need nerves of steel to progress in the British Clubs Mixed Championships.
None more so than the team from City of Newcastle GC who reached the second round of this year’s event only after the last two matches against Stockfield GC B went to extra holes.
Two-one up up after the first three matches, Newcastle’s fifth match lost on the 19th to make it 2-2 before their fourth pair held their nerve to win 20th hole.
It’s not all over for Stocksfield yet though as their A team made home advantage pay in their 4-1 victory over Alnmouth GC.
It means City of Newcastle will have to travel to beat another Stocksfield side if they wish to reach the third round.
There was a similar story in the south west region as Rowlands Castle GC scraped through 3-2 against Ryde GC, with their fifth pair having to go to the 21st hole before securing victory.
Next up for the Hampshire side is a trip to Southampton’s Boundary Lakes GC, who claimed a valuable scalp – winning 4-1 away against inaugural 2022 champions Stoneham GC.
In the north west, Lymm GC edged home against Portal GC 3-2 to earn a trip to Eaton (Chester) GC A – but only after two matches went to the 18th and one was decided on the second extra hole.
Llandudno (Maesdu) GC enjoyed a rewarding trip across the border Cheshire where they edged past Eaton (Chester) GC B 3-2 and will now host Vale Royal Abbey GC in round two.
Rochdale GC pipped Nelson GC 3-2 and will now visit Haydock Park GC while Burnley GC edged Pleasington GC, with the deciding rubber going to the 19th, to earn a trip to newcomers Oldham GC.
In Scotland, Muthill GC won’t be making it to the finals again this year after losing 4-1 to Airdrie GC.
And 2023 finalists Scarborough South Cliff GC beat Tadcaster GC 4-1 to earn a trip to York GC.
In the Midlands region, Wollaton Park GC defeated Beeston Fields GC 4-1 and will now travel to Chilwell Manor GC, who enjoyed a narrow 3-2 away victory over Norwood Park GC.
Leicestershire’s Beedles Lake GC beat Market Harborough GC 3.5-1.5 to earn a home tie against Glen Gorse GC, who conquered Kibworth GC 4-1.
Bedfordshire GC, finalists in the inaugural 2022 competition, beat Bedford & County GC by the same margin to earn a trip to 2023 champions Brickendon Grange GC, who won 4-1 against West Herts GC.
Brampton Park GC enjoyed a 4-1 home victory over their county rivals Northamptonshire County GC A, although matches were closer than the scoreline suggests.
But there was better news for Northamptonshire’s B team, who edged past Overstone Park GC 3-2.
Belton Park GC beat Belton Woods GC B 3.5-1.5 and will now visit their Belton Woods A team in round two.
Derbyshire’s Bakewell GC defeated Erewash Valley GC 4-1 to earn an away tie against Moor Park GC and Ingestre Park GC defeated Newcastle under Lyme GC.
In the south east division, debutants Essex Golf & Country Club edged past Rayleigh GC 3-2 to earn a trip to county rivals Abridge GC, who saw off debutants Langdon Hills GC 4-1.
Flempton GC will now host Stowmarket GC after they pipped Links GC 3-2.
Sunbury GC saw off Burnham Beeches GC 3.5-1.5 and will now visit Enfield GC, who edged past Royal Mid Surrey GC B 3-2 – but only after three matches went to the 18th and one went to an extra hole.
Nizels GC defeated Drift GC 4-1 and will now travel to Windlesham GC A.
Meanwhile Windlesham GC B won 3-2 away against Betchworth GC and will host Farnham GC A, who beat Foxhills GC 3.5-1.5.
In Sussex, Royal Eastbourne GC conquered Cooden Beach GC 5-0 and will now entertain Littlehampton GC, who defeated Horam Park GC by the same margin.
Goodwood GC edged debutants Selsey 3-2 to earn a visit to Worthing GC.
Camberley Heath GC ran out 4-1 victors against Clandon Regis GC and will now host Farnham GC B, who saw off Royal Mid Surrey GC A by the same margin.
Elsewhere in the south west, China Fleet GC won their Cornwall clash with Lanhydrock GC 5-0 and will now travel to Exeter GC, who saw off Exminster GC 3.5-1.5.
Stover GC enjoyed a narrow 3-2 away victory over Exminster GC A to earn a second round tie against reigning champions Worlebury GC, from Somerset.
Hampshire’s Skylark GC enjoyed a tight 3-2 away victory over South Winchester GC and will now visit Barton on Sea GC A.
Eton College GC knocked out Newbury & Crookham GC 4-1 and will now travel to newcomers Sunningdale Heath GC, who edged past Royal Ascot GC B 3-2.
Welsh debutants Tenby GC started their campaign with a narrow 3-2 win over Leominster GC B
Another first timer Hockley GC pipped neighbours South Winchester GC B 3-2 after recovering from 2-0 down and will now host Barton on Sea GC B, who edged past Romsey GC by the same scoreline.
Royal Ascot GC A managed a similar 3-2 victory over Mill Ride GC.