Goodwood golfing pair proud despite missing big prize

The pair won through their qualifier on the Downs course in May, courtesy of an outstanding team display, which included a hole-in-one from the 11-year-old from Kirdford.

The Plaistow Kirdford Primary School 19-handicapper struck his memorable ace with a five iron at the 145-yard par-three 17th, which helped fire his team to a winning betterball score of 46 Stableford points.

It secured their place with eight other pairs from events around the country for the grand final at Stoke Park Country Club Spa & Hotel with a luxury golf holiday to the Mediterranean five-star resort in Belek on the Turkish Riviera up for grabs for the winners. Goodwood’s James Webber and Dan Andrews also made the line-up as best runners-up.

The Strides shot 39 Stableford points on the day and Webber and Andrews hit 42 points, but Scottish duo Kyle Lochhead and Stuart McMeekin carried off the top prize with a 51-point haul.

Dad Nathan said: “It was a great opportunity to play at an amazing place like Stoke Park and we enjoyed the day. We played pretty well and Ethan showed no nerves. It’s great experience for the future for him to play in a competition like that.”

Ethan added: “It was brilliant to play there. I was taking photos all the way round and I loved it.”

A team from Goodwood secured third place in the prestigious Copa Las Colinas in Spain.

The international club event is hosted at the Las Colinas Country Club – voted Spain’s best course – and involved teams from across Europe competing over two rounds.

This was the first year Goodwood have taken part in the competition and the team were selected at a qualifying event on the Downs course in June.

Golf At Goodwood general manager Stuart Gillett was joined by Peter Walsh, Geoff Bleasby and David Boyle for the trip.

The competition was played in Stableford format, with the best two out of the four scores to count. The Goodwood team performed admirably in the first round and, despite not scoring any points on the last hole, found themselves only a point off the lead on 91.

The second round saw Goodwood start slowly, but some good golf on the back nine and a strong final three holes saw them finish third behind the teams from The Belfry and Meditar Real Estate. Actress and TV presenter Denise van Outen awarded the trophies.

Gillett said: “I am thrilled to have been able to take a team from Goodwood to the Copa Las Colinas. It’s a fabulous resort.

“The course, hospitality and service were fabulous and I’m sure many members will enjoy visiting Las Colinas in the future.

“To finish third is a great effort and we have built some great friendships with some of the other clubs here. I hope that in the future we will be able to continue having Goodwood represented in this event and look to do other similar events that make being a member of Goodwood just that little bit special.”

Walsh said: “I wasn’t sure what to expect from the trip but was overwhelmed with the whole event. It was incredibly well organised and the resort is absolutely world class.

“I am a little flabbergasted that by finishing in the top three of a members competition enabled me to come on such a great tip.

“I love being a member of Golf At Goodwood, the service and whole approach to golf is refreshing and to have the opportunities to do things like this is why it’s such a great club. I’ll be practicing hard to try and qualify for next year’s event.”

COWDRAY PARK

Cowdray Park seniors watched in awe as one of their members produced an amazing round of 59 in the Keith Chapman Trophy.

The silverware is played for annually in honour of long-serving senior Keith, who died last year, and is presented by his family.

The weather was miserable, with squally showers and strong winds, though the sky cleared later in the morning for the later starters.

The performance of Doran lit up the whole day as he achieved what most American and European Tour professionals are unable to do – score 59. This was despite having recorded a bogey five on the par-four seventh.

His round started in the rain but it did not affect him as he scored a birdie three on the opening hole, going on to score six further pars and a birdie in the front nine score of 35.

In his back nine of 33, he scored six pars and two birdies, the round culminating in a disappointing five on the par-four 18th for a final total of 68 gross, 59 nett.

Among his birdies were three twos, on the third, 11th and 17th, which earned him a triple share of the twos pot, while setting a new club record, and no-one was able to trace, in Cowdray’s long history, a record of such a complete score in a round of golf.

Another excellent display, on the day, came from Des White, who is in his 80s and carded a nett 67 to earn himself his place in next month’s seniors’ championship.

Four players scored 68: Rob Knight, Peter Hallt, Alistair Proctor and John Newman, with Dave Lucking, off eight, scoring 69, completing the scoring below -ar. Eight players scored twos, including Dave Lucking, who holed one on the par-four 16th.

Leading scores: 59 John Doran; 67 Des White; 68 Rob Knight, Peter Hallt, Alistair Proctor, John Newman; 69 Dave Lucking.

Cowdray Park seniors’ singles knock-out competition for the Lait Trophy has reached the final stages.

Semi-finalists were Phil Harrison and Gordon Kendall plus Graham Thompson and John Durrell.

Having beaten club chairman Terry Adsett in the quarter-finals, Kendall faced another strong challenge from big-hitting Harrison.

He used the shots he received to good effect to win by 2&1.

Durrell, having disposed of Ian Heustice in the quarter final, saw off the powerful challenge of Thompson to earn the right to face Kendall in the final.

Cowdray ladies’ Smail Trophy winner for 2016 was Marilyn Davis with a nett 72. Catherine Staples was second and Lille-Beau Thorpe third, both also scoring 72 but missing out on countback.

A medal was held on the same day.

Medal results: Div 1 - 1 Jane Holden nett 75; 2 Mandy Lucking 79; 3 Fiona Sapsworth 82; Div 2 - 1 Sally Williams 77; 2 Gaynor Dudman 82; 3 Margaret Curwood 83. Div 3 - 1 Jenny Nicholls 78; 2 Sandra Barber 81; 3 Julia Kelly 82.

In the Past Captain’s Trophy, 14 ladies played on a mostly-sunny day and enjoyed a meal in the clubhouse afterwards. Sue Brown was the winner with 32 points and Jenny Nicholls was second with 31.

BOGNOR

The Hollymead Cup, sponsored by Hollymead House residential home, was played and all the top 40 players after this year’s major competitions at Bognor were invited to play.

Dave Maskell scored an excellent nett 65, won the final major and moved him from 37th to third in the Hollymead Cup. Tom Stoneham came second on countback with nett 66 which gave him just enough points to jump above Andrew Field and win the Hollymead Cup.

Field’s nett 70 saw him come seventh which meant he dropped to finish second in the Hollymead Cup.

In a separate Stableford competition, David Turner won with an excellent 43 points, a fantastic score in very difficult conditions. Bill Prior was second with 39 points and Mark Bingham third with 37.

The four-team challenge took place, with teams from the men’s, ladies, seniors and junior sections compete in an annual event, begun by past captain Derek Dady.

The juniors brought in big guns from the Scratch team, the seniors had many matchwinners from the 2016 season and the ladies had competition winners and some big hitters in their squad.

When the results were tallied up, the men’s team were victorious, followed by the ladies, but it was very close.

The result was not the real purpose of the day - that was the joining of so many players who enjoyed the camaraderie of golfers of all ages.

Club captain Chris Hickling thanked all who took part on a fantastic course in tip-top condition. Thanks also went to team organisers Berit Smallcorn, Jim Catt and Ian Stoneham.

Bognor seniors held their Fletcher final, a culmination of three previous rounds during the year, where points are awarded for places. The top 40 players are invited to play in the final.

Winner this year with an excellent 43 points was Stuart English, closely followed in second by Ron Stevens with 42. In third was Mike Watts with 40.

Watts’ two excellent scores in one week brought his handicap down from 16 to 12.

Sandown and Shanklin made their annual pilgrimage to Bognor and were beaten 6½-1½. The result was forgotten as both sides enjoyed the after game meal and entertainment.

Results: Gary Steventon & Mike Wadley won 6&4, John Owen & Brian Wolstencroft won 3&2, David Turner & Trevor Till won 3&2, Ron Stevens & Steve King won 2 up, Frank Hodder & Clive Millett lost 4&3, Roger Selway & Rob Walker won 3&1, Barry Vanstone & Bob Young won 1 up, David Chalmers & Barry Appleby lost 6&5.

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