Golf: American success boosts Ede’s pro hopes

The 18-year-old took part in the Cowdray Park competition in which all the shots were measured by computer. He was invited into the golf shop for the presentation of the Garmin Vivoactive watch which tells him how long a golf hole is, how far his shot is, how much farther he has to go, where he is and how many calories he is using – all at the same time as receiving his emails.

The gadget also gives him information for running and cycling which, along with five-a-side football, are his other sports.

Ede started golf at school at Seaford. His handicap is 21 but his instructor considers he could be in single figures by the end of the year.

He is off to Plymouth University later this year to read politics and international relations – but his preference is to become a golf pro.

GOODWOOD

Winston’s Wish, the leading childhood bereavement charity in the UK, is hosting a golf day classic at Goodwood on Friday, September 18, and are looking for players to join them.

Winston’s Wish relies solely on donations for its income and so the event presents a fantastic opportunity to raise vital funds for a worthwhile cause. The charity supports children and their families following the death of mum, dad or a sibling; providing therapeutic support to rebuild their lives after such a devastating loss.

Each year, Winston’s Wish supports over 30,000 bereaved children and young people through an array of dedicated services.

The golf day includes an 18-hole golfing experience on the members-only Downs course followed by a meal served in The Kennels. Goodwood’s PGA professionals team will be on hand throughout the day to provide tips and tricks.

Contact Leigh-Beth Stroud, community fundraiser, on [email protected] or 01403 211 030 to register.

COWDRAY PARK

Cowdray Park seniors held their monthly Stableford in sunny conditions with a cooling breeze.

The course is at its finest, with firm fairways providing plenty of roll while the greens are slick and providing a true test of putting.

High scoring was expected but it was not until the final dozen players returned that the winning scores were revealed.

In division one, Peter Hardcastle won for the second time in three events, having been second in the other, while in division two, John Kitchener came in with the day’s top score of 45 points, outscoring Peter Hardcastle in division one and runner-up in division two Peter McIlwraith, both with 43.

Early starters Tony Castley (35) and Mike Hughes (41) set the standard for their respective divisions, with Castley’s round nearly including a hole-in-one on the ninth when his tee shot hit the pin and dropped a few inches from the hole for him to convert the birdie putt. Phil Harrison (36), playing alongside Mike Hughes, recorded two twos.

Peter McIlwraith returned with an excellent score of 43 points to take a substantial lead in division two. It became obvious that bigger scores were still obtainable when Barry Overington and Mark Kelly each returned with 40 points, but it was only late in the day that Hardcastle and Kitchener surged to the top of the leaderboard.

Thanks to his efforts in the past three Stablefords, Hardcastle has shot clear of the pack in the Carter Trophy and put himself in a good position in the Eclectic.

Members were pleased to see Keith Chapman return following intensive treatment for illness, and the raffle raised £180 for Dreams Come True.

Leading scores: Div 1 - 43 Peter Hardcastle; 41 Mike Hughes; 37 Frank Cheevers; 36 Phil Harrison, David Heard, Pat Harrison. Div 2 - 45 John Kitchener; 43 Peter McIlwraith; 40 Barry Overington; Mark Kelly; 39 Graham Thompson; 38 Maurice Watts.

Cowdray seniors played 13th home game of the season, beating Blackmoor 7-1. This marked the return match from the first match of the season, in which Blackmoor triumphed 5-3.

John Doran and Mike Cardiff were up against it from the outset, going three down after three holes. Mike Cardiff came to the rescue by producing two birdies and a nett birdie to tie the match with the final putt.

Cowdray’s Allen Sibley and Roger Poat won 4&3 (with Poat playing seven under his handicap) and Gordon Kendall and Clive Brine edged home 2&1.

Low-handicapper Paul Owen and Ian Goodall went three up before being pegged back to halve their match. Derek Smith and Mike Holden won 5&3, with Smith also claiming the nearest-the-pin prize on the ninth.

Nick Austin and Gary Strowbridge took the lead on their first hole and never looked back, winning 5&4, with Strowbridge belying his handicap.

Following his Stableford success and handicap reduction, Mike Hughes was conceding shots all round, but thanks to partner David Wickham’s putting exploits. the pair managed a 2&1 win – before the final pair of Ian Heustice and Pat Harrison capped a fine day for the home side, winning 3&2.

Results (Cowdray names first): John Doran & Mike Cardiff halved with Norman Foster & Ross Sellers; Allen Sibley & Roger Poat beat Peter Hunt & David Newdick 4&3; Gordon Kendall & Clive Brine beat Pat Alonso & David Lewendon 2&1; Paul Owen & Ian Goodall halved with Martin Bell & Martin Wisdom; Derek Smith & Mike Holden beat Roy Boxall & James Hendry 5&3; Nick Austin & Gary Strowbridge beat John Morris & David Worrall 5&4; Mike Hughes & David Wickham beat Ed Jenner & Len Hannington 2&1; Ian Heustice & Pat Harrison beat Arthur Daines & Alan Pickett 3&2.

After a good run of results recently, Cowdray seniors travelled to face the tough Cathedral course at Chichester in good spirits – but they ended up losing 6-1.

Conditions were extreme with near gale-force winds, hard fairways and slow greens making life tough for the players, but the home players seemed better able to cope with conditions.

Cowdray match manager Tony Castley and big-hitting Peter Laws fought back from three down against an in-form Chris Penny and Chichester vets’ captain Bev Shrives-Wrist, only to lose out by one hole on the final green when Peter Laws’ putt hovered over the hole but refused to drop.

Phil Harrison, giving away a lot of shots, partnered Eric Bounton to a narrow 2&1 loss. Colin Tebbutt and Colin West lost on the last hole by one down to two very tough competitors.

Cowdray’s sole success came courtesy of former Chichester member David Imlach and experienced George Crouch, who battled round to win by two up to save the visitors from a whitewash.

Results (Chichester names first): Bev Shrives-Wright & Chris Penny beat Tony Castley & Peter Laws 1up; Dave Monkton & Mike Arthur beat Phil Harrison & Eric Bounton 2&1; Gordon Williams & David Galloway beat Peter Burton & Pat Harrison 3&2; Paul Compton & David Blythe beat David Tilley & Mike Nobes 4&2; John Styles & Chris Page beat Peter Hallt & MIke King 3&2; David Guest & Peter Green beat Colin Tebbutt & Colin West 1up; Roy Chandler & Charlie Duffie lost to David Imlach & George Crouch 2dn.

Cowdray ladies played in a competition called the Waltz. It is played in teams of three, with one score entered on the first hole, two scores on the second hole, and all three on the third – the format continuing for 18 holes.

Results: 1 Tessa Stockwell, Jane Holden, Terry Hughes 73pts; 2 Sally Williams, Cath Yates, Silent partner 71; 3 Sue Brown, Linda Doney, Helen Chapman 69.

BOGNOR

Sixty ladies turned out for Lyne Watson’s Ladies’ Captain’s Day. The players were greeted halfway by the captain and her family for much-needed refreshments including a Pimms and mouthwatering Oriental food.

First prize on the course went to Sue Crossen with a nett 67.

Other prizewinners: Silver 2nd - Lynn Miller 69, 3rd - Heather Tidy 71. Bronze A - 1st Sally Cameron nett 69, 2nd - Angela Allen 70, 3rd - Barbara Trenchard 71. Bronze B - 1st Anne Coupe 70, 2nd - Eileen Morris 73, 3rd - Barbara Evans 75. Nearest the pins - Lin Harbutt, Margaret Martin; Jo Owen was nearest the pin in two on the 4th.

The ladies enjoyed scones with jam and cream before the final prizegiving.

Bognor ladies hosted an open which attracted 40 players from 11 clubs to play an 18-hole four-ball better-ball Stableford. Visitors were very complimentary over the presentation of the course and were treated to home-made goodies and drink at the halfway hut.

Great golf was played and after an enjoyable meal, the prize presentation took place.

First were Jeanette Young and Sandra Healy of Rowlands Castle with 38 points, second were Diane Pearce and Sonia Williams from Hill Barn with 37, third Marie Trigg and Joy Lomax from Ham Manor with 36.

Nearest the pin on the fifth hole was Jeanette Young from Rowlands Castle and on the tenth Beth Talman from Foxbridge.

Raffle proceeds went to the lady captain’s charity, Crohns and Colitis UK.

Bognor ladies held made their annual invitation to the club’s men – and pairing up with your husband or partner was against the rules.

It was a four-ball better-ball competition of three-quarters handicap played off the ladies’ card, which seemed to work in favour for the men.

Great scores were achieved and prizes were presented by ladies’ captain Lyne Watson. With a fantastic score of 47 points were Debbie Fenton and Chris Johnson; second were Sue Monger and Mark Watson with 46, on countback from third-placed Gill Harries and Mark Carter.

The men will host the return match later in the year.

A total of 77 men turned out in wet and blustery conditions to take part in the Rubens Cup, a full handicap medal competition. There were good scores obtained in all three divisions, but John Harnett got his nose out in front of everyone else with a gross 78 (nett 65).

Results: Div 1 - Liam Maskell gross 73 (nett 68), 2 Jim Catt 79 (69), 3 Alan Entecott 76 (69). Div 2 - John Harnett 78 (65), 2 Peter Hammond 81 (66), 3 Trevor Till 82 (68). Div 3 - Ray Twine 86 (68), 2 Chris Johnson 86 (70), 3 (countback) Nick Longlands 94 (70).

Sixty seniors competed in the Jack Lemmer Trophy, which doubled up as round three of the Fletcher Trophy.

A blustery wind affected lots of players. The winner was Bryan Madgwick, who was Fletcher winner in 2013. He won with 41 points, followed closely by Doug Lowman, who also won this year’s Tommy Thomson Trophy.

Second on countback was Mike Wadley. The Fletcher fourth round takes place in September and after that the top 36 players take part in the Fletcher final.

In a seniors’ midweek Stableford, a rare hole-in-one was achieved on the tenth hole by Steve Flack, who went on to finish fourth.

The winner was Terry Kuhler with 42 points, followed closely by Ian Simpson with 41. Third was Richard Kaemena on 40.

Bognor seniors travelled the short distance to Rowlands Castle. Bognor’s captain of the day must have wondered what he had done wrong when three players had to withdraw through injury. Rowlands ran out comfortable winners 5½-2½.

Results: Jim Catt & Frank Hodder won 1up over Steve Lepage & Alan Keates, Barry Forey & Ken Catt lost 1 down to Ron Clement & Matt Murphy, Clive Millett & Dennis Burke lost 5&4 to Bob Prynn & Alan Jones, Allan Delves & Paul Cooper lost 5&3 to Chris Jenkins & Mike White, Trevor Till & Andy Isitt halved with Bills Nicholls & Alan Dickenson, Chris Hickling & Malcolm Dodds won 3&2 over Phil Sparshatt & Dennis Wing, Andy Bence & Richard Kaemena lost 2&1 to Terry Barnett & Graham Griffiths, Mike Oates & Roger Selway lost 2 down to Mike Burrows & Don Wilkinson.

FOXBRIDGE

The annual 36-hole club championship was played at Foxbridge over two days.

Tricky scoring conditions saw only one player under his handicap, Colin Fowler scoring nett 68 on the first day. Overall winner was Adrian Dudman, playing off five, with a total of 155.

Ian Knightley was runner-up with 164 and Grant Masterton third with 168. Wendy Wooldridge retained her ladies’ title with a 174.

The nett prize was a closer affair, the winner being Philip Wake with 147 while Tracy Dabbs came in second with 149 and Glyn Jones third with 150.

Earlier in the month, the seniors crowned Charlie Leslie as their 2015 champion. Ladies’ champion is Mary Harding, with Sally Bird winning the Nett Trophy.

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