HOCKLEY GC’s Luke Hodgetts was left a little frustrated after making his Hampshire South East League debut, when a late slip cost him the chance to start with a 100 per cent record, writes Andrew Griffin.

The Twyford Down golfer was leading with four holes to play in the final singles match against Kent’s Danny Jones, at Liphook GC, on Sunday.

But he lost the 15th as Jones clawed it back to all-square, having been two down at the turn.

And when Hodgetts missed the fairway on the par-five last, Jones got up-and-down for his birdie to win his point.

It still left Hampshire as comfortable 8-4 winners, despite Hodgetts’ disappointment at not being able to end the day unbeaten.

Twenty-seven-year-old Luke has been desperate to force his way into the Hampshire first-team over the past two years, having been a member of the Hampshire Colts team that claimed the South East U26s title last year.

Hodgetts spent the winter as part of new captain Lawrence Cherry’s first-team squad. 
And after picking up a foursomes point in the pre-season friendly against the Channel Islands, in April, he was handed his home debut against Kent.

The freelance videographer, from Chandler's Ford, enjoyed a thumping win when paired again with Test Valley’s Stuart Archibald – the reigning English Mid-Amateur Champion – in the morning foursomes.

The pair, who had jelled well together in their win at Royal Jersey, were sent out last by Cherry against Kent’s former England junior cap Jacob Kelso and Tony Adams.

They put the first blue point on the board with a comprehensive 6&4 win, as Hampshire went on to lead 3-1 at lunch.

Archibald said: “After we lost the first, Luke holed a great putt for birdie from around 15 feet for birdie on the second and holed another from 12 feet for four on the par-five seventh.

“I made a couple of good par putts to win holes on the third and fourth, so we were five-up at the turn.

“Despite giving away the 10th, Luke made another 15-foot birdie putt on 11 to go five-up and they conceded the 14 after we hit it in close, for the win.”

Archibald added: “Our games seems to complement each other well, hitting it about the same off the tee. 

“My approach play is probably my strength, and Luke putts a bit better than me, so in alternate-shot format, that is a good combination.”