Happy Hannah strikes gold at Roehampton

There was no relief during the day as the greens became ever faster and more firm in the drying wind.

This year it was the turn of the professionals to collect the top three prizes. Cowdray Park’s Hannah Ralph, 26-year-old professional from Cowdray Park, produced excellent rounds of 73 and 80 for a total 153 to win the Gold Cup.

Ralph has competed regularly in the event in recent years and bettered the second place she achieved in 2013.

Emma Goddard from Royal Liverpool was second on a count back from Rebecca McGinley (Wearside) – both scoring 154.

Cowdray Park seniors made the long journey to the picturesque Surrey course at Betchworth Park, and recorded their first away win of the season by 5-3 to give new match manager John Newman a fine start in the role.

He marked his debut by partnering Ian Heustice to a 5&4 win, with the highlight an eagle on the fifth from Ian Heustice.

Seniors’ vice-captain, Derek Smith and in-form Dave Fowler proved too strong for their hosts in match two, with a win by two up.

The home side fought back and levelled before Nick Austin and Peter Hallt restored Cowdray’s lead.

A further victory for the visitors came courtesy of Bill Hummerston and David Wickham with a 4&3 win to put Cowdray 4-2 up, before victory was clinched when Mike Cardiff and Gary Strowbridge won.

Results (Cowdray Park names first): John Newman & Ian Heustice beat Chris Jones & Doug Proctor 5&4; Derek Smith & Dave Fowler beat Lynford Flye & David Croll 2up; Dave Lucking & Mike Hughes lost to Eric Reeve & Andy Baker 3&1; George Crouch & Eric Bounton lost to John Smith & Geoff Corston 4&3; Nick Austin & Peter Hallt beat Peter Ellis & Bob Taylor 2up; Bill Hummerston & David Wickham beat Chris Burley & Bill Worsfold 4&3; Mike Cardiff & Gary Strowbridge beat Barry Holmes & Ray Liddle 2&1; Barry Overington & Alistair Proctor lost to John Brimley & Graham Bartlett 3&2.

Cowdray ladies competed in the Syrett Cup. The competition was a Stableford played with only three clubs and a putter.

The winner with an amazing score of 37 points was Ann Tyrrell. Sue Brown was runner-up with 35 and Linda Doney came third with 33.

The ladies had two wonderful days of sunny weather for their spring meeting.

A qualifying 18-hole Stableford was followed by a team game Aces High the next morning.

After play, everyone enjoyed a Pimms courtesy of Dianne Hardcastle who achieved a hole in one on the par-three 11th, and prizegiving followed lunch.

Results: Div 1 - Marilyn Davis 43pts; Gaynor Dudman 38; Judy Stillwell 36. Div 2 - Sally Williams 36; Myrna Heustice 33; Brenda Rees 31. Div 3 - Georgie Miller 38; Anne Laver 34; Sandra Barber 33. Nearest the pin, 9th - Margaret Hoare; 11th - Joan Manning. Aces High: 1 Myrna Heustice, Brenda Rees, Glenda Luff, Frances Marjoram 121pts; 2 Terry Hughes, Polly Davenport, Helen Chapman and silent partner 113; 3 Marilyn Davis, Jane Holden, Joyce Fanshawe, Joan Manning 109.

GOODWOOD

More than 500 golfers took to the South Downs for the Golf At Goodwood open week.

Making the most of the glorious sunshine, with temperatures reaching 20C at times, the community enjoyed the stunning Park course.

Playing on the 18th-century parkland surrounding Goodwood House, which recently welcomed a number of top professional golfers at the 2015 Players’ Tour, visitors were extremely impressed.

Nick Batten, from Chichester, said: “We had an absolutely fantastic experience. We were greeted by a wonderful welcoming staff who made everything extremely easy. The golf course was in immaculate condition – all in all a wonderful day. I will definitely return.”

Stuart Gillett, Golf At Goodwood general manager, said: “The open week was a huge success with the aim of promoting the golf offering here at Goodwood to the local community.

“The Park is a wonderful course in a great setting. Our greenkeeping team have worked tirelessly to produce a course in good condition all year round and we are delighted with the feedbacks.

“There is a perception in the local community that non-members cannot play at Goodwood and this was our reason for holding the open week. Our goal was to encourage golfers to come. I think it’s fair to say we certainly surpassed people’s expectations!

“When you add in the excellent tuition available it’s fair to say there is plenty on offer for the local golfing community.”

Marco Penge shot a brilliant closing 68 in tough conditions to claim victory in the Faldo Series Wales Championship at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club, South Wales.

The England boys’ squad member, attached to Golf at Goodwood, shot 71 and 76 but saved his best for the final round. An impressive closing nine of 30 included five birdies to turn on the style and steer clear of his nearest rivals.

Penge’s impressive finish earned him a third appearance in the Faldo Series Europe grand final, to be staged at the Greenbrier in West Virginia later this year.

“I controlled my ball flight really well this week in tough windy conditions,” said the 16-year-old. “I was most pleased with my round today, particularly my back nine where I gave myself plenty of opportunities for birdie.

“The Grand Final will be another great learning experience to see Sir Nick again; I met him at Lough Erne and The Greenbrier and took a lot away from those weeks that has helped my development.”

Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006.

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching thousands of golfers each year.

Later, Penge put in a flawless display to claim a record-equalling victory at the Peter McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath near Birmingham.

He closed with a five-under-par 66 to equal the tournament record of 12-under-par 272 held by John Parry (2004) and Nathan Kimsey (2011).

The Peter McEvoy Trophy has become the traditional curtain raiser to the boys’ golf season and is now viewed as one of the must-enter junior majors.

There was no catching the England boys’ squad member who finished with a commanding eight-stroke win over compatriot Bradley Moore, the reigning Irish boys’ amateur open champion.

“I’ve been working hard, playing well and came here with confidence,” said Golf At Goodwood ambassador Penge. “My game was really good tee to green the final two days. I felt really confident with my driver and that helped a lot.”

“I was aware of the record but the 16th cost me. I was just happy to birdie the last to at least equal the record.”

Penge follows in the footsteps of the likes of Justin Rose and Lee Westwood by claiming one of the most prestigious titles on the English Junior calendar.

Penge now had his eyes set on a place on this year’s Great Britain & Ireland team for the Walker Cup: “I think it’s a realistic goal. I’m going to be playing in all the big amateur events this year like the Lytham Trophy, Brabazon Trophy and Amateur Championship so if I can do well in those, then I have a chance to make the team.”

On the back of his McEvoy Trophy win, the Penge now rises to 251 in the scratch players’ world amateur rankings.

Penge’s next outing is at the Sage Valley junior invitational at Sage Valley in Graniteville, South Carolina, where he will be competing against a strong international field.

CHICHESTER

Chichester veterans closed the winter season with the traditional Texas scramble and prizegiving.

A bitter wind greeted competitors but firm, dry conditions led to good scoring and the winning score of nett 61.5 was a good effort by Mike Snuggs, Chris Page and Alan Dynes.

Winter prizewinners: Eclectic categroy four Andrew Grant; cat two/three Dave Monkton. Winter League winners Bruce Santer & Chris Penny; runners-up Brian Burn & David Wren; Winter singles winner Graham Probert; runner-up Brendan Sharpe.

(Pictured from left Brendan Sharpe, Graham Probert, Bruce Santer, Brian Burn.)

With the vets’ captain on holiday, vice-captain Jim Robertson took the reins for three inter club matches and was delighted to record three good victories.

Brighton & Hove were the first visitors and they lost out in some tight matches to go down 4-2. This was followed by a trip to Selsey, where a strong Chi team triumphed 5-1.

A visit from Black Nest was a new fixture arranged after both clubs lost a match with Foxbridge and the vets’ captain contacted them to set it up. The game was played in the best of spirits with several close games.

Black Nest captain James Roberts certainly enjoyed it scoring nine pars on his way to victory in his game, while another visitor John Powell scored an eagle on the third hole. Chichester came out 4½-1½.

Scores (v Brighton & Hove): J Robertson & C Goldsmid won 3&1; B Santer & C Penny lost 3&2; G Williams & C Page lost 3&2; K Hart & J Paul won 3&2; N Moore & R Chandler won 2&1; B Sharpe & P Green won 5&4.

v Selsey: J Robertson & R Stainsby beat D Winter & P Senft 4&2; B Burn & G Williams beat R Ewens & T Chapman 4&3; G Probert & R Holden beat P Boughton & G Holland 5&3; B Santer & D Galloway beat P Terry & G May 4&3; C Campling & C Page lost to R Tolhurst & B Moore 4&2; P Green & D Blythe beat D White & G Marriner 3&1.

v Black Nest: J Robertson & D Galloway lost 2&1; N Moore & R Stainsby won 5&4; C Goldsmid & M Hunter won 4&3; P Compton & R Chandler won 2&1; G Williams & R Holden halved; P Green & G Probert won 5&3.

Chichester’s men’s Wednesday roll-up section held a Stableford to mark the tenth anniversary of raising money for St Wilfrid’s Hospice with the Stevie B Trophy.

The best round with 38 points after countback was by David Monkton, who won an engraved goblet and a round of golf for four donated by West Byfleet Golf Club.

Also on 38 was David Buckingham who won an engraved goblet and a voucher for Beach House, West Wittering.

The Stevie B trophy played for over 12 months was presented to John Bubb with the lowest total of 210 for best three medal rounds.

This year £1,700 was raised for St Wilfrid’s to make a total of £13,400 over ten years. Adrian Lewis from St Wilfrid’s was there to accept the cheque.

BOGNOR

The men’s section’s Easter Medal attracted a field of 92 – a great turnout for the first event of the year in a bitterly-cold wind.

Andy Frankling won it with a fantastic gross 77, nett 68. Second was Dave Grover with 75 (69), the same score as Tom Stoneham in third.

Other winners: Div 2 - 1 Bill Cronin 86 (71), 2 Mark Watson 86 (72), 3 Joe Froud 84 (72). Div 3 - 1 Matt Nelmes 91 (73), 2 Chris Hickling 92 (74), 3 Graham Halliday 91 (74).

Easter Monday saw the first social golf with the bank holiday all-comers competition, organised by Ron Stevens and Barbara Trenchard.

Pairs were invited to play six holes of better-ball, six of greensomes and six of foursomes. The sun shone and fine golf was played in the light breeze. Janet and Mark Carter were the clear winners with 38 points.

Bognor held their annual fixture against the Police Golf Society. In warm conditions, there were four pairs from each team, with Bognor captained by club captain Simon Watts and the Police by Andy Hother.

After the match, both teams enjoyed a meal before the presentation of prizes which were all kindly donated by the Police. The two closest-the-pins prizes were won by Stu McConnechie from the Police and Bognor’s Steve Reddick. The longest drive was by Police captain Hother with a magnificent drive of close to 250 yards.

The best pair score was Bognor’s Simon Watts and Dave Chalmers with 76 points, with Dave also winning best individual with 40 points.

The match itself was won 3-1 by Bognor.

Results (Bognor pairs first): Simon Watts & Dave Chalmers beat Andy Hother & Stu McConnechie, Steve Reddick & Chris Lovell lost to Colin Enticott & Simon Hughes, Roger Selway & Mike Oates beat Neil Borley & Lee Middlebrook , Ron Stevens & Chris Hickling beat Pete Crossley & Dave Rowley.

The Spring Tankard is a men’s competition of 36 holes, 18 on Saturday and 18 on Sunday. More than 100 players took part and prizes were given for each of three divisions on both days and for 36-hole scratch and nett scores. Scoring was higher than usual in this competition in cold and windy conditions.

Saturday Results: Div 1 – 1 Paul Oliver 71 (nett 64), 2 Gary Embleton 78 (67); Div 2 – 1 Derek Dady 79 (67), 2 Stanley Riseborough 80 (68); Div 3 – 1 Mark Bingham 88 (67), 2 Chris Johnson 87 (71). Sunday results: Div 1 – 1 Dominic Rainey 73 (66), 2 Peter Stoneham 74 (67); Div 2 – 1 Chris Lovell 84 (69), 2 Mark Watson 84 (70); Div 3 – 1 Chris Johnson 86 (70), 2 Matt Nelmes 91 (73).

The 36-hole scratch winner was club secretary James MacLean with 150, while the 36-hole nett winner was Peter Stoneham with 137.

Paul Oliver, as Saturday’s winner, qualifies to represent the club in the Sussex Golf Union Centenary Jug competition in October.

Bognor Seniors played two club matches – with mixed results.

In the first at Southwick, Bognor lost 5-3, with top pair Roger Selway and Barry Ingate taking a 7&6 beating.

Results: Richard Kaemena & Jim Catt lost 4&3 to Ginge Dudley & David Baynes, Allan Delves & Dave Chalmers won 3&2 over Jerry Moulson & Ray Reed, Roger Selway & Barry Ingate lost 7&6 to Peter Wright & Graham MsClarty, Brian Wolstencroft & David Turner lost 2&1 to Brian Goldacre & Terry Lewis, Peter Bell & Mike Oates won 1 up over Tex Houston & Ian Barley, Andy Isitt & Dave Hollis won 2 up over David Jenkins & Ron Bumstead, Vic Ward & Alastair MacDonald lost 5&4 to David Knight & George Butler, Barry Appleby & Bryan Madgwick lost 2&1 to Rod Smith & Bob Morrow

In the second match, Bognor won 4½-3½ at home to Cowdray Park.

It was a pulsating game in which Bognor went into a 3-0 lead only for Cowdray to then win the next three pairs, before Bognor took a point and a half out of the last two.

Bognor’s seniors captain Allan Delves and partner Ron Stevens stopped Cowdray’s Tony Castley and Phil Harrison completing a hat-trick of wins in this fixture.

Roger Selway, for Bognor, sank an 8ft putt on the 18th to win the hole – a cruel blow to Cowdray, as it was the first time the Bognor pair were up in the match.

Results: Allan Delves & Ron Stevens won 4&3 over Tony Castley & Phil Harrison, Roger Selway & Mike Oates won 1 up over Nick Austin & Richard Histed, Hugh Diaper & John Woodhead won 3&1 over John Durrel & Colin Tebbutt, Peter Collins & Alastair MacDonald lost 2&1 to Eric Bounton & George Crouch, Rob Redmond & Vic Ward lost 3&1 to Dave Gaff & Ken Majoram, John Owen & Clive Millett lost 1 down to Mike Hughes & Trevor Edwards, David Turner & Dave Chalmers won 3&1 over Paul Owen & Graham Evans, Alan Fitzgerald & Peter Lott halved with Brian Brockhurst & Mick Folkes.

On a beautiful spring day, Bognor ladies competed in a Stableford for the Jamie Crease Cup. The cup was donated by a member who use to work on the course. The winner with a fantastic score of 39 points was Sue Sidebotham.

Results: Silver: 1 Gill Harries 34pts; 2 Sue Monger 33 cb; 3 Ann Bush3ell 33; 4 Penny Entecott 32 cb. Bronze A: 1 Sue Sidebotham 39; 2 Wendy Pettie 32; 3 Angela Chandler 29. Bronze B: 1 Davina Rumsby 31; 2 Mary Hardy 29; 3 Eileen Morris 28. Bronze C: 1 Suzanne Burns 33; 2 June Smith 32.

On a glorious morning. 48 ladies played a foursomes competition. Eventual winners were Bergitta Paul and Mary Adames with a fantastic 38 points, on countback from Jane Finch and Janet Carter.

Seven ladies from Bognor played singles knockout at home to The Neville GC in the first round of the division-two competition.

Despite a lovely bright start, a sea fog arrived which made life more difficult. Bognor ladies were victorious with a 4½-2½ win.