Hampshire golf skipper’s biggest problem could be choosing four players for new-look county finals

England Golf are planning a strokeplay format over the first two days – with singles and foursomes – with the top four counties then playing a matchplay knockout on the Sunday.

‘That plays to our strengths immediately,’ said Dawson. ‘We had a very good record in foursomes in the league last year, winning more than 75 per cent of our matches.

“We normally have four foursomes pairings in our four matches in the South East League every season.

‘Even though we won’t be able to play our four league games before September, we will still be able to practice our foursomes in the build up.

‘Hampshire captains could normally pick five or six pairings that are as good as most counties – when we have everyone available.

‘And we have also been lucky down the years that our best and most experienced players like Martin Young, Darren Wright and Tom Robson can quite happily play with more

than one partner.

‘When we won the English County Championship in 2017, I caddied for Matt Wilcox, from my home club.

‘Matt and Martin were simply an awesome pairing in matchplay on all three days and didn’t give away much in the singles.

‘The exact format is not set in stone, but if we play two singles and one foursomes in the Sunday knockout, my biggest problem will be selecting four players and a reserve – instead of seven we could take to the finals normally.’

‘And we tend to play our best golf at seaside tracks – all bar one of our big wins in the last decade came on a links course.’

Dawson has already led Hampshire Colts to the South East title two years in a row in 2015 and 2016.

He said: ‘I have been champing at the bit to get our season up and running. But obviously we have to abide by what the Government and golf’s ruling bodies say about if, and when, we can play.

‘At least I now have something to focus on and think about.’