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Sporting stars join locals on the tee at Cowdray Park
A host of sporting greats descended on Cowdray Park Golf Club to play in their annual pro-am.
An array of stars from a variety of sports took their places in teams alongside golfing stars from the PGA senior tour, some of whom had Ryder Cup experience.
They included National Hunt jockey and Grand National winner Mick Fitzgerald, former AC Milan and England striker Luther Blissett and former Wales goalkeeper Paul Jones.
Golfing stars included Glenn Ralph, Nick Job, Kevin Spurgeon and Ian Mosey, from the senior tour. Ex-Ryder Cup player Steve Richardson joined them, together with Hampshire PGA stars Nick Redfern and Kevin Saunders.
The winning pros were Redfern and Cowdray's own Scott Brown, who both recorded rounds of 68, while Richardson hit 69 to take third.
The top team prize went to Bruce Whalley and the Marjorams, who played the course in 126 with a countback of 60 on the back nine. Redfern's team came a close second, with 126 and a countback of 63.
The day finished with prizegiving and a fantastic dinner in the clubhouse, followed by a captivating speech from Mick Fitzgerald in which he gave a first-hand account of winning the Grand National. He also signed a number of copies of his new autobiography, Better than Sex.
Cowdray pro Brown said: "It was a great success, and it's good to have the pro-am as a firm event in our club's calendar.
"It's fabulous to play alongside so many top European pros and other sporting legends, and for members to be given this opportunity is rare and exclusive. I look forward to next year, when I'm sure the line-up of stars will be equally exciting."
Sponsors Kavanagh Budgens of Midhurst, and The Park House Hotel, Bepton helped make the day a success, as did the hard work of all at Cowdray Park.
* The Stent Cup and Edwards Cup have been played for at Cowdray Park.
Results: Stent Cup (36-hole stableford): Winner Darren Mustchin 77pts, runner-up Wayne Robertson 76, third George Hannah 74.
Edwards Cup (best 18-hole stableford): Winner Wayne Robertson 41, runner-up Chris Robertson 41, third Darren Mustchin 40.
The July Medal has also been held, involving 85 players.
Results: Div 1 Martin Milward (nett 62 – overall winner); Div 2 Paul Hatcher 64, Div 3 J Thorpe 67.
Heavy, squally showers could not dampen the enjoyment of the 48 pairs of golfers in the Cowdray Park seniors' invitation, in which a home member invites a guest to play, with the better score of the two on each hole to count.
The course was presented in first-class order and the players responed with excellent scoring.
There were four pairs tied with 44 points, with Peter Hardcastle & Dave Hurst (Hayling) winning on countback from Paul Berry & Rod Smith (Roehampton) and Alan Godfree & Martin Woolfe (Hook Heath).
Paul Berry was the happiest man on the course when he achieved a hole-in-one on the 17th, his first-ever ace. This duplicated a similar achievement in the seniors' open on the same hole.
Prizes were presented to all prize-winners by club captain Dave Balfour, including a new trophy for the winning pair.
n Recent Cowdray Park seniors' open winner Dave Hirons took part in the Sussex Vets Scratch Open at Piltdown.
He played superbly and came third, with the winner coming from the home club, while forfeiting ten shots under the terms of the competition.
Lady Captain's day at Cowdray Park took place on a day of sunshine and showers, with 130 members taking part.
Captain Frances Marjoram spoiled the players by providing Pimms and nibbles halfway round, and sangria and tapas after the golf. Frances raised 1,400 for her charity, The Fountain Centre.
Results: Men: Nearest the pins: 3rd Michael Whitcomb (hole in one); 17th: Obe Ayton; 6th: Phil Cummins. Ladies: Nearest the pins:
9th Jenny Nicholls, 11th Sally Richardson; 16th: Hannah Ralph. Main prizes: Men: 5th Phil Cummins, 4th Martin West, 3rd Dave Balfour, 2nd Ron Barber. Winner: Clifford Davis. Ladies: 5th Anne Laver, 4th Mary Morling, 3rd Janice Leath, 2nd Glenda Luff, Winner Jill Parry.
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Weather for Chichester
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
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