Golfing juniors enjoy the wonders of Woburn

Goodwood gave their junior members an experience of a lifetime as they made the trip to watch some of the world’s top golfers when the British Masters took place at Woburn.
Goodwood juniors at WoburnGoodwood juniors at Woburn
Goodwood juniors at Woburn

The British Masters returned to the European Tour schedule for the first time in seven years, the event returning to the Marquess Course for the first time since 2002.

A total of 11 juniors signed up for the trip run and organised by Golf At Goodwood’s team of PGA professionals. Showing enthusiasm and excitement for what for some was their first time attending a Tour event, the juniors were given a great opportunity to get close to some superstars of golf.

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With the friendly layout of Woburn, the juniors were able to stand greenside and also on the tees that their heroes were playing on. Many players took time to acknowledge their supporters, stopping to sign autographs and chatting with youngsters who are the future of the game.

Matt Fitzpatrick collected his maiden professional title in some style as he clinched an impressive two-shot win, and it seemed fitting that the youngest player in the field should be champion.

George Hannah, Golf At Goodwood PGA professional, saidd: “The British Masters is a great event and it was a fantastic opportunity for our junior golfers to visit Woburn to watch some of the world’s top golfers in action on a stunning golf course.

“Many comments were made about the swings and abilities of the Tour players including swing tempo and short game ability, which was extremely pleasing to hear from our junior members. It is incredibly important to run trips like this to keep the all juniors engaged with aspirations of improving their game as well as learning the conduct of true professional golfers.

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“All the juniors were a real credit to Golf At Goodwood were a real joy to spend the day with. As a result of the clear enjoyment had by all as well as what each junior learned from the experience, we will be organising a similar trip to The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May 2016.”

Goodwood’s Yasmin Hang received the Juliet Morgan Trophy for being most improved junior girl in Sussex in 2015.

In August she won the England golf under-13 south region championship and the Lady Helen Trophy at Goodwood. She has also been invited to play in a England regional match in November.

CHICHESTER

Chichester veterans played the Tower course for the Goldsmid Autumn Trophy Stableford.

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It was a grey day with quite a breeze but the scoring reflected the fact the course is somewhat easier than the Cathedral course.

With nine scores of more than 40 points and 20 of the 61 starters at par or better, it proved a very close competition.

Early leaders in the clubhouse with 42 points were new member Anthony Denton and then Paul Compton, who confirmed his position at the top of the order of merit.

But first Gordon Williams and then eventual winner Bill Martin came in with 43. It was a story of their last hole, the 18th, which decided it. Williams, after putting his ball out of bounds, blobbed the hole – but Bill followed his eagle on the 13th with a birdie and went on to win the countback by one point.

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Result: Autumn Trophy winner Bill Martin 43pts (countback); 2 Gordon Williams 43; 3 Anthony Denton 42; 4 Paul Compton 42; 5 Alan Payne 41; 6 Mike Snuggs 41.

SELSEY

The final match in their series took place between Selsey and Southsea veterans at Selsey.

The previous three matches of 2015 had left Selsey trailing by three games, which meant that of the seven pairs, four had to win for Selsey for the club to retain the Millennium Plate.

The course was in good condition and most of the Selsey players were in good spirits hoping for a draw if not a win against their friendly competitors.

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As the teams came in from having played their 18 holes it soon became evident that Selsey players were on form and were winning their matches. As the fourth pair came home winners, Selsey players started to rejoice – but it didn’t finish there.

After the last team came home, it became evident the Selsey players had beaten Southsea with a resounding win, winning all seven games.

A meal and lots of banter followed and the two teams parted good friends and are looking forward to meeting again in 2016.

At the Selsey veterans’ presentation day, there were many prizes given out but the two trophies of note were for the veterans’ annual championship played over two days and 36 holes.

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The championship was won by Jeff Wootton (pictured right) and the handicap champion was Brian Chamberlain (left).

COWDRAY PARK

The finalists for the Cowdray Park seniors’ singles knockout for the Lait Trophy are known following the semi-finals.

John Doran, who overcame the stubborn George Crouch on the 18th and proceeded to win the club’s October Monthly Medal, will face David Tilley, a former club and seniors’ captain.

Cowdray Park seniors visited Worthing to play on their challenging lower course, knowing they faced a tough task against a club whose teams are successful in county competitions. Worthing came through to win 6-2.

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Match manager and seniors’ captain Sam Howes accompanied by in-form Bernie May fought back from three down to level, but their opponents, Maurice Huggett and Ron Turner, proved too good, winning 5&3.

The second match featuring Ian Heustice and David Heard was the only bright light on the day for Cowdray as they managed a two-up win. This was followed by two further losses to put the home side 3-1 up.

Peter Laws began with an eagle on the first hole and scored three birdies in his round, but his efforts were in vain as Worthing’s Sam Armadass played par golf on the back nine.

Phil Harrison and Howard Morley and Alan Godfree and Barry Overington steadied the ship with two well-earned halves, but two more losses at the end sealed Cowdray’s fate and the home side ran out 6-2 winners, to gain compensation for their 6.5-1.5 defeat at Cowdray earlier in the year.

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Results (Cowdray Park names first): Sam Howes & Bernie May lost to Maurice Huggett & Ron Turner 5&3; Ian Heustice & David Heard beat Mike Hall & Jim Rand 2up; Peter Laws & David Tilley lost to Sam Armadass & Bill Gardner 4&3; Mike Hughes & George Crouch lost to John Wood & Michael Machin 5&4; Phil Harrison & Howard Morley halved with Keith Forshaw & John Blake; Alan Godfree & Barry Overington halved with John Wilson & Roger Ruby; Peter Hallt & David Wickham lost to Robert Dargan & Gordon Harrison 3&2; Brian Carpenter & Gary Strowbridge lost to Alec Price & Duncan Smeaton 6&5.

High on the South Downs, The Dyke golf course is not the place to be when the wind blows as it did when Cowdray Park seniors arrived to play their rearranged match. A good tussle ended with the home team winning 4.5-3.5.

Seniors’ vice-captain Derek Smith and last year’s captain Brian Brockhurst took on The Dyke club captain Ray Dennett and 93-year-old Cliff Stuart, who walks round the course carrying his bag and striding out in front of his playing companions. Dennett and Stuart recorded a 6&5 victory.

Next match out featured Ian Heustice and Wally Mitchell in a challenging and absorbing match. All square coming to the 18th, on the green all were putting for pars and Mitchell held his nerve to sink the winning putt.

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Match three was halved, and, apart from one match, the others went down to the wire. That provided the biggest win of the day to Alan Godfree and Bill Hummerston by 7&6.

RESULTS (Cowdray names second): Ray Dennett & Cliff Stuart beat Derek Smith & Brian Brockhurst 6&5; Jerry Greensmith & Melvin Allinson lost to Ian Heustice & Wally Mitchell 1dn; Tom Bishop & Bob Russell halved with John Doran & Rob Doney; Dave Barbour & Ray Bullock beat Dave Lucking & Mike Cardiff 2&1; Derek Chivers & Martin Miles beat David Tilley & Brian Carpenter 1up; Eryl Williams & Graham Jenkins lost to Alan Godfree & Bill Hummerston 7&6;Gordon Crawford & John Boucher beat Peter Hallt & Mike Holden 2up; Richard Box & Tony Surridge lost to Mike Hughes & Barry Overington 2&1.

Only 27 Cowdray ladies braved cool and very breezy conditions to play in the October medal.

Winners: Div 1 - 1 Jill Parry nett 74; 2 Terry Hughes 75; 3 Sue Brown 82. Div 2 - 1 Jenny Clegg 70; 2 Imke Sanderson 81; 3 Janet Poat 81. Div 3 - 1 Linda Doney 74; 2 Catherine Staples 75; 3 Judith Brownlee 83.

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