Winter challenges come as Horsham's Golfer of the Year shortlist is revealed
Winter definitely arrived last week, demonstrating its capacity to influence every aspect of our lives – golf being no exception.
Maintaining a golf course during the season in snow, frost and wet weather presents many challenges for the greenkeepers and sometimes means the course has to close as a precaution to protect it from damage. The view down the first fairway is still attractive though, and is one of the winter scenes enjoyed by the many walkers who use the pedestrian footpaths around the course.
Many Horsham Seniors found themselves having to take advantage of the heated and floodlit Awesome Driving Range on site to practice, and in some cases to test their skills with friends trying out a fun challenge on a virtual golf course in imaginative and more sunny surroundings.
It is the time of year for Horsham Golf Cub to present the nominees for Golfer of the Year to members for their votes and this year’s group includes several from the Horsham Seniors’ Section.
The nominees are chosen from those who have inspired others, and competed fiercely over the year, to show excellence on the course and impressive progression in their game by reducing their handicaps and winning podium finishes in the competitions.
Kevin Earl won the Club Championship title in July, won the Order of Merit and finished the year with a 3.8 handicap. Trevor Card won the Singles Knockout Championship and the Scratch Knockout Trophy and is unbeaten in his last 9 individual knockout matches.
Ali Tuck has logged a huge 75 qualifying scores in 2025 and maintained his 8 handicap, as well as winning the Seniors’ Championship off the back tees. Jenny Elliott won the Seniors’ Championship Nett Trophy, reduced her handicap by 4.4 shots and is leading the ladies’ standing in the Race to Woodhall Spa, which is a sponsored National Competition and available to all clubs in the WHS.
Shelley Mulville won the Ladies’ Seasons Trophy and the Ladies’ Greensomes Trophy with her partner Jane White, she reduced her handicap from 18.3 to 12.8 and has maintained an impressive set of gross qualifying scores in the 80s throughout 2025.
Andy Sullivan won a tense Pairs Knockout Championship with his partner Jack Howie, he leads the men’s Race to Woodhall Spa, has multiple top five competition finishes, and over the past two seasons has reduced his handicap from 22 to 10.7.