Golf: Bligh birdie putt lips out on last to hand Kent win

The 31-year-old carpenter, who finally achieved his dream of making his county debut for the first team, was both elated and distraught at the narrowest of defeats as Kent went one better than their draw at Brokenhurst Manor last year, to steal a win by 6½-5½ points at Lamberhurst GC, on Sunday.

Bligh, who took up golf at 16, having competed in national competitions in moto-cross racing from the age of nine until he was 21, was left with his head in his hands as the 15-foot birdie attempt hit the hole – and turned 90 degrees – before staying up.

Hockley's Mitchell Bligh suffered the agony of watching his birdie putt lip out on the last hole to hand Kent victory in the closest of finishes. (Image: Andrew Griffin)

He said: "I could not believe it. I was living my dream, finally being picked to play for Hampshire, on merit.

"I have idolised these guys for years and been working so hard to prove I was good enough to be part of the team.

"I had Chris Harrison, Hampshire Golf’s assistant secretary, who played for the Colts in the past, on my bag.

"I was hitting it left and fighting my swing in the singles, after losing my foursomes match in the morning with Rob Wheeler 4&3, which was a tough baptism on my debut.

"In the singles, I was two-up after 13 holes and then Marco Cruse, who was also making his debut, hit me with three-under for the next four holes.

"He beat me because he lit the course up over those closing holes – we both made an eagle at the back-to-back par fives, which cancelled each other out – and we both gave each other a couple of holes with some mistakes.

"I guess we were both feeling the nerves, but overall, considering I was not hitting it as well as I wanted after lunch, I went down fighting, and I was right in there at the death.

"I believe I am good enough now to play at this level, and want to keep my place in the team."

Bligh was given one of three guaranteed spots after finishing tied third in the Delhi Cup at Hockley earlier this month, one of the Hampshire Order of Merit events, which was won by Wheeler, who has been a regular in the first team over the last four years.

Bligh would love to emulate Wheeler, who has become the most improved and consistent player in captain Toby Burden’s squad.

The Hockley member, who won the club championship by 11 shots in 2024, missed a large chunk of last season through injury, but flew to Portugal this week to prepare for next week’s Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel Islands Amateur Championship at Brokenhurst Manor.

Bligh, who made his debut for Hampshire’s Challenge League side in 2024, added: "I feel like I have finally worked out the performance side of the game.

"I have really dedicated myself from 2019 onwards to prove I could make it as a top amateur, and I don’t want to let it slip now.

"It is disappointing not to have contributed a point, especially knowing a half if that putt goes in for the half, we get a draw – which felt like it was the least we deserved as a team."

The Hockley man was not the only club representative wearing the Hampshire blue in Kent. Greenkeeper Jack Warren, who lost a play-off to Wheeler in the Delhi to earn his own place in the league team, also put in a great display on his debut.

Warren, who was the Hampshire Junior Champion nine years ago before admitting the Stoneham member fell out of love with the game having returned from a four-year golf scholarship in North Carolina, combined with North Hants’ teenage debutant Albie Beeston, to earn their first point.

And with Hampshire losing 4-3 despite Beeston recording a maximum return thanks to a 5&4 win in the singles, Warren and Test Valley’s reigning English Mid-Amateur (over 35s) Champion Stuart Archibald hit back with wins by 4&3 and 4&2 respectively – against Kent’s Conor Byers and former England U16 cap Jacob Kelso – to make it 5-5.

With North Hants’ James Atkins having been held to half on the 18th, Bligh’s agonising miss meant captain Burden had to win the 15th hole in the anchor match, to keep the match alive, but lost 4&3 to Nick Panting.

Hampshire will now have to beat Sussex and Surrey in their remaining two games to have any chance of reaching an 18th South East League final, having won the Daily Telegraph 11 times since 1964.

Next year, the top two from the South will join the leading three counties from north of the River Thames to form a new top division, with relegation and promotion being introduced at the end of 2027.

So every one of the 24 points up for grabs over the next three months will be vital if Burden’s boys are to push Hampshire into the top flight.

The captain, who is in his second full season in charge after taking over from Stoneham’s Lawrence Cherry mid-season after he moved to Dubai in 2024, has welcomed the new league format as being a way to take standards in county golf to even higher levels.

Warren and Bligh will be keen to test their games in the first team, regardless of which division Hampshire end up in next season.

Report by Andrew Griffin