European fourth spot earns international chance for Lille-Beau

After rounds of 81, 77 and 76, she finished a fantastic fourth place in the girls’ 11-year-old class.
To cap a great week, she was selected to represent Western Europe against the internationals in the Van Horn Cup, the junior version of the Ryder Cup.

Playing at Luffness golf course, she was paired with individual category winner Harriet Lockley and won her match well, shooting a better-ball score of 69.

The teams were tied on 5-5 but the internationals won the cup in a play-off featuring the oldest players on each side.

Her mentor and coach at Cowdray, Hannah Ralph, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Lille-Beau performed so well in the European championships.

“Her selection for the Van Horn Cup was an added bonus. We are delighted with the experience she gained at these tournaments and the maturity with which she handled the situation.”

Cowdray are encouraging young golfers to get out on the course and will run junior summer sessions starting in July.

Anyone under the age of 16 is welcome. Each session starts at 10am and finishes at midday on a number of dates. They will comprise a mixture of long-game practice, short-game practice, using the driving range and the academy course.

Areas of development will consist of ball striking, increasing distance, and accuracy, lag putting, short putting and making new friends.

To find our more, call 01730 813599.

If ever proof were needed that golf is a game for all ages, it came with the result in division three of Cowdray Park’s monthly medal.

Former top county footballer and cricketer Dennis Stillwell, aged 87, took first place with a nett 73, from ten-year-old Harry Callow on 75.

Callow’s proud father Matt is also a keen golfer at Cowdray.

Winner in division one, with a 69, was Archie Challen, who also works for the club in the pro shop in between studying for a degree in art and design.

Close behind on 70 were Steve White and Scott Dormer, from David Turner on 72, with White and Turner both carding the day’s lowest gross score of 76.

Division-two winner was last week’s seniors’ medal winner Harvey Terry, who did it again by winning with a nett 69 and earning a further handicap reduction.

Second on 70 was Ken Cullen from a host of players on 71, Paul White, Richard Whitcomb, Ben Standage, Ady Poole and Dave Fowler, with the top five players all having their handicaps reduced.

Leading scores: Div 1: 69 Archie Challen; 70 Steve White, Scott Dormer; 72 David Turner. Div 2; 69 Harvey Terry; 70 Ken Cullen; 71 Paul White, Richard Whitcomb, Ady Poole, Ben Standage, Dave Fowler. Div 3: 73 Dennis Stillwell; 75 Harry Callow, Greg Burt, Bernie May, 76 John Green.

Cowdray Park travelled to Haywards Heath in their quest to regain the Cyril Blake Trophy, which they won in 2014. They faced a strong home side but put up a sterling display to advance to the quarter-finals with a 2½-1½ win.

Terry Jasper and John Doran led the way with a hard-fought 2&1 win before Dave Balfour and Dave Hirons achieved an honourable half, despite Dave Balfour suffering from a virus.

Biggest winning margin of the day came from Alan Gormley and Sean Gallagher with a 4&3 win, giving Cowdray an unassailable lead. Even though Harvey Terry and Dave Lucking succumbed by 2&1 in the final match, Cowdray celebrated victory. They will host Crowborough on June 27 for a place in the semi-final.

On a sunny day, with the course in magnificent condition, Cowdray seniors entertained Betchworth Park, hoping to redress the narrow defeat suffered in April.

This they did with a vengeance, winning 6½-1½, with the visitors failing to win a match until the seventh tie.

Match manager John Newman teamed up with Dave Coombes and got things off to a flying start with a comfortable 4&2 win before Bill Birnie and Barry Overington produced a great escape, coming from three down early on to edge home by 2&1.

Nick Austin and Mike Hughes showed little mercy to their opponents by crushing them 8&7. Further victories followed for the home side, who were 6-0 up before the visitors had their first taste of success, albeit by the narrowest of margins.

Betchworth forced a half in the final tie.

Results: (Cowdray names first): John Newman & Dave Coombes beat Chris Jones & Peter Ellis 4&2; Bill Birnie & Barry Overington beat Lynford Flye & Ian Johnson 2&1; Nick Austin & Mike Hughes beat Norman Dampney & Mark Elliott 8&7; Ian Heustice & Chris Hoare beat Eric Reeve & Brian Carter 4&2; Graham Thompson & Rob Knight beat Frank Jones & Bill Worsfold 3&2; Peter Hallt & George Crouch beat John Whitefield & Colin Tyler 1up; Roger Poat & Gary Strowbridge lost to Andy Baker & Tom Chahal 1 dn; Graham Evans & David Wickham halved with John Smith & Tom Ramsey.

BOGNOR

Bognor’s ladies’ section had four representatives at the Sussex ladies’ championships at West Sussex Golf Club.

Chloe Court posted excellent scores of 75 and 76 gross and qualified for the matchplay knockout stages.

Heather Tidy missed out by one shot and Suzanne Taylor by four shots. Bognor’s youngest competitor Katie Field, an up-and-coming junior, managed to reduce her handicap, having posted a commendable gross 81 in the afternoon round.

Although Court was knocked out of the matchplay stage by Worthing’s Penny Brown, she was subsequently chosen to represent Sussex in the forthcoming south eastern counties week, to be held at Walton Heath GC from June 27 to July 2.

Bognor ladies offered her threir congratulations and wished her the best of luck, and hope that as many members as possible will be able to go and support her.

The team will compete against Surrey, Hampshire, Kent and Middlesex. Last year they emerged victorious and went on to represent the south region in the national finals, finishing as runners-up to Nottinghamshire.

Tom Stoneham won Hardwick Bowl – a competition for those with handicaps up to 12 – with a fantastic nett 65. Olly Longlands came second with 69.

Stoneham now qualifies to play with club pro Matthew Kirby in the Lombard Trophy regional qualifying round at Camberley Heath Golf Club in July.

Adrian Smith for won the Junior Challenge Cup, a 13 and above handicap competition, with nett 66, followed closely by Olly’s father Nick Longlands with 68.

Results: Hardwick – 1 Tom Stoneham gross 70, nett 65, 2 Olly Longlands 75/69, 3 Gary Embleton 80/70. Junior Cup – 1 Adrian Smith 85/66, 2 Nick Longlands 92/68, 3 Matthew Reynolds 93/69

There was an excellent turnout in the Men’s Midweek Stableford, where Ryan Maskell’s 39 points won the day. In second place was Jack Taylor with 38 and third on countback Phil Lee.

Bognor seniors returned to form with a 5-3 home win over local rivals Petersfield. The game was evenly balanced but the Bognor’s last pair, Mike Oates and Terry Kuhler, came home with an excellent 6&5 win to seal the match for Bognor.

Results: Allan Delves & Richard Perry lost 2&1 to Terry Roach & Chris May, Brian Wolstencroft & Mike Watts won 1up against John Dunmall & Derek Harrison, Frank Hodder & Ken Catt won 2&1 against Paul Duncan & Jeremy Hawton, Peter Collins & Chris Hickling lost 3&2 to Richard Vardy & Ray Couzens, Ian Bright & Clive Millett lost 1 down to Alan Austin & Peter Gaunt, Bryan Madgwick & David Turner won 4&2 against Richard Perry & Peter Marchant, Steve King & Bob Lee won 3&2 against Ian Hewlett & John O’Rouke, Mike Oates & Terry Kuhler won 6&5 against Tim Allen & David Budd.

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