There's merit for Oli in golf club's new title

The order of merit was established in 2011 with the introduction of three new majors – the Junior Easter Trophy, Junior Anniversary Cup and Junior Cathedral Cup along with the Junior Club Championship all went towards the final standings.

The Feldon Shield was donated by the club’s lady captains of 2010-11 and 2011-12, Kathy Donohoe and Elaine Fell.

Both are keen to promote junior golf at the club and wanted to support this by sponsoring the trophy.

Having had a very successful year of golf, Bradbury was the inaugural winner of the Feldon Shield.

The junior captain for 2012 was also announced as 15-year-old Rebecca Curd. She joined Chichester GC as a junior member in 2008 and is a strong member of the junior section as well as playing in the ladies’ section.

The junior captain has an important role at the club, including supporting and developing junior members, team selection and liaison with junior organiser Sam Hassall.

Club proprietor Sally Haygarth said: “We’re delighted Rebecca has been appointed as junior captain and wish her all the very best for her year. Chichester Golf Club are keen for everyone to realise golf is not exclusive to men and the older generation - and what could be better than to have a young woman like Rebecca as an ambassador for the club.

“We support golf for young people in lots of ways.”

Chichester Golf Academy also has a thriving junior coaching programme run by coaches Tony Westwood and Sean Herron.

The two have been working together since November and already the juniors who are taking part in the programmes are enjoying learning to play.

In 2012 the plan is to further develop the existing programme into a four-week cycle using the facilities available with three of the sessions being used to develop the children’s abilities through physical, technical and mental skill challenges and the fourth week being used to check out progress using the par-three short course close to the driving range.

The idea is to create a clear ‘player pathway’ to allow those who join the junior programme to see what opportunities are open to them as they play and learn more about golf and the skills it can help to develop. For more information on children’s golf at Chichester Golf Club contact 01243 528999 or go to www.chichestergolf.com

To cope with winter conditions Chichester ladies played a Florida-style Texas scramble.

Winners of the Tuesday competition were Yvonne Dunckley, Angela Hancock and Sue Bond with 75.7 points. Second with 79.1 were Elaine Fell, Marion Swayne and Jennifer Fidler with Caroline Hawkes, Lesley Downs and Jane Buckley third with 79.4.

Saturday’s winners were Kathy Donohoe, Helen Ball and Melva Bateman with 69.3, second were Emma Fields, S. Jessops and Nicky Hood with 71 points and in third place were Sang Porter, Sue Jones and Tiffany Bolton with 74.3.

COWDRAY PARK

Cowdray Park seniors held their annual Christmas dinner followed by the traditional prize-giving to the winners and placed players from the year’s competitions.

It was the penultimate function to be hosted by captain Peter Burton. Top prizewinner for the year was Phil Harrison with three wins and one place. He won the Barham Salver (foursomes) with Mike Hancock, Sandell Trophy (singles) and the Eclectic.

Two players, John Newman and Frank Cheevers, each recorded two wins - Newman in the Yellowlees Quaich (medal) and Captain’s Prize, while Cheevers won two medals (Roland Salver and Heard Tankard).

Other winners were Bill Hummerston (Champions Trophy medal), Cliff Davis (Carter Trophy, overall Stableford position), Allen Sibley (Elliott Cup, two clubs and a putter), Sam Howes (Lait Trophy summer singles, Graham Evans and Peter Hallt (Podmore Salver greensomes).

The best moment of the day came with the reappearance of Mike Burgess after recent serious head surgery, who is looking forward to returning to the fairways when the weather improves.

Cowdray Park seniors held their annual meeting. Retiring captain Peter Burton said his year had proved highly successful, particularly in respect of inter-club matches.

He thanked members for their co-operation - in particular the committee and his wife Solveig. The section had raised almost £1,900 for his chosen charity Help for Heroes.

Burton handed over the reins to vice-captain Bill Hummerston, who nominated the Mary How Trust as his charity for the year.

After the meeting, members played a nine-hole competition, with mulled wine and mince pies distributed by Father Christmas on the fifth tee.