Duo set to tee off in new Goodwood golf roles

Two talented new managers have joined the Golf At Goodwood team.
Gary Beves and Chris McDonnell / Picture: Golf at GoodwoodGary Beves and Chris McDonnell / Picture: Golf at Goodwood
Gary Beves and Chris McDonnell / Picture: Golf at Goodwood

Chris McDonnell has joined as academy manager, assuming leadership of Goodwood’s tutorial assets, while Gary Beves has become membership manager, ensuring those who join receive an unrivalled golfing experience.

McDonnell became a professional golfer aged 25 and experienced great success. He was 2014 Great Britain and Ireland PGA club professional champion, 2014 Austrian PGA champion, an England PGA international, a previous Challenge Tour player and Alps Tour winner.

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He achieved seven course records, was 2007 north-east/north-west PGA matchplay champion and twice Northumberland amateur county champion (2001 and 2003).

On top of this, his impressive CV also boasts time co-ordinating Hexham Gold Club’s junior coaching and development programme, so he is the perfect candidate to take on the Goodwood Academy.

McDonnell said: “I’m very pleased to be here at Goodwood and I’ve received a very warm welcome from members and staff. The opportunity to be a part of such a unique place is very exciting and I’m looking forward to working with the energetic and enthusiastic team.

“My main goal for the academy is to give golfers a fantastic facility to learn and practice. Combining my experience of golf facilities around the world and the Goodwood values, I want to deliver a unique academy experience that will be the South of England’s preferred venue for golf learning and development.”

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Beves previously worked at Goodwood and is very excited to return. He said: “It is a huge privilege to have been given the opportunity to come back and work at this fantastic venue.

“For me the main aim as membership manager is to ensure members feel they have someone they can engage with and approach at all times.

“Golf At Goodwood is already well-known for its fantastic attention to detail and its exceptional customer experience, my goal is to simply enhance this where possible.

“I plan on doing this by truly bringing Goodwood’s values to life and ensuring that my passion for the estate and the game of golf are conveyed to our Members, whilst also ensuring that their influence helps move Goodwood forward.

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“I spent six years working at Golf At Goodwood as part of the operations team. This was a position I undertook while successfully completing my PGA university course.

“Since then I have relinquished my professional status and currently play to a handicap of three, something I’m looking forward to putting to the test against our members throughout the year!”

COWDRAY PARK

Having beaten league leaders Hankley Common in the Surrey & West Sussex Winter League, Cowdray Park entertained second-placed Hindhead and achieved the same result, a 3-1 win.

Team manager David Balfour partnered Ken Marjoram to a stunning opening win by 7&6 before Hindhead levelled in the second match, by the narrowest of margins, one hole.

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Harvey Terry and Peter Hallt restored Cowdray’s lead with a 3&2 win before the powerful pairing of Dave Lucking and John Newman overpowered their opponents 6&5 to complete the home side’s win.

Leaders remain Hankley Common but teams including Cowdray are making up ground on them with results such as this, and another exciting finale to the season beckons.

Results: (Cowdray names first): David Balfour & Ken Marjoram beat Stuart King & Duncan Parker 7&6; John Doran & Peter Bennett lost to Chris Osbourne & Pip Jukes 1 dn; Harvey Terry & Peter Hallt beat Graham Cook & Frazer Hamilton 3&2; Dave Lucking & John Newman beat Alan Snowball & Sydney Thornton 6&5.

Cowdray Park seniors’ match managers held their annual get-together, preceded by an 18-hole competition, played in very cold conditions.

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Winner of the prize was Terry Jasper with 36 points, following on from his Stableford victory the previous week.

Cowdray ladies played a bisque par – a matchplay competition played against the course. Players receive full handicap and they can decide when they wish to use their shots, as opposed to following the stroke index. This must be done after each hole and before teeing off on the next hole.

Results: 1 Kate O’Kelly, 2 Judy Stillwell, 3 Pauline Lamb.

On a sunny and cool day, Cowdray ladies played a best-nine-hole competition. The players select their best nine holes out of the 18 played.

Results: 1 Solveig Burton, 2 Georgie Miller, 3 Gaynor Dudman (on countback), 4 Helen Chapman.

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