The Epsom College golf team finished runners-up in the National Finals of the HMC Foursomes Competition this month, writes Corinne Munford.

The tournament, held at the Royal Ashdown Forest golf club, was contested by the eight regional winners and the standard of play was very high.

Despite putting in a strong performance, Epsom lost in the final to Millfield School on the last afternoon of play. The key match was the first pair, when captain Gareth Blease and youngster David Boote suffered their first defeat of the tournament thanks to a barrage of birdies from an inspired Millfield pair.

Madeleine and Lewis Kuhler led by two holes for most of the round before succumbing to two late birdies to halve their match and although the third pair of Jeremy Morgan and Danny Cullen lost, they had managed to beat Birkenhead and Rugby en route to the final.

This is the second year in succession that Epsom have made the National Finals. Their runners-up spot has guaranteed qualification for next year’s event and this will provide all players with a goal over the coming season.

Peter Irvine, master in charge of golf at the college said he was very proud of the team.

“Last year we finished third and this year second in the country. Millfield, a sports academy, have blocked our path to the top on both occasions. To have run them so close is a tremendous achievement.”