Golf: Goodwood juniors win West Sussex League

After impressive wins over Worthing and West Sussex, Goodwood fielded a very similar young team against Bognor.

With the course in good condition and the sun shining the group teed off, led by 11-year-old Joe Sykes, who has had a terrific year, including finishing second in the US Kids European Championships.

Sussex under-18 player Jake Stoneham was his opponent and a player in serious form, as Sykes went down 5&4.

Alfie Simpson won two up as he carded three over par.

Peter Davies fought back from two down with some very straight hitting to beat his opponent two up.

Johno Beadles was three down going down to the 16th but managed to salvage a half. Jamie Burchell went six up and eventually won 2&1.

Drew Sykes was up against Sussex under-12 team-mate Harry Malin. Sykes lost 2&1.

The overall 3½-2½ win means Goodwood progress to the regional stage as the West Sussex League winners.

Chris McDonnell, Golf At Goodwood academy manager, said: “Congratulations to all the juniors who’ve played in the league this season.

“This result reflects the hard work that these young players have been putting in on the course and on the range. The future looks really bright for the next generation of Goodwood golfers. Next stop, The Open!”

COWDRAY PARK

Cowdray held the qualifying round for their Veterans’ Cup on the hottest day of the year so far, and many good players seemed affected by the conditions, returning scores below expectations.

The competition is now played over two rounds for members of 60 and over, although not necessarily members of the seniors’ section, under the Stableford format, from the white tees, scores being carried forward to the final round for the 24 qualifiers.

Registering far and away the best score of the day was John Smith with 39 points, while in second place, was his regular golfing partner Wally Mitchell with 35. Both will play alongside each other in the final round, along with Mark Upton (34), the only non-member of the Seniors’ section playing.

Leading scores: 39 John Smith; 35 Wally Mitchell; 34 Mark Upton; 33 David Wickham, Pat Harrison, Harvey Terry, Terry Adsett; 32 John Newman, Alan Godfree.

The day of Cowdray ladies’ open dawned cloudy, but by mid-morning 112 ladies from clubs throughout Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire were enjoying the beautiful Cowdray course in glorious sunshine.

The standard of golf was high with 11 twos scored on the par threes. All the golfers were able to enjoy the wonderful delights supplied by Sally and Mags at the Halfway Hut.

After a summer buffet, the lady captain welcomed everyone and presented the prizes. The sum of £362 was raised for her charity from the proceeds of the raffle.

Cranleigh were the winners on countback from The Dyke, both with 85 points. Brighton & Hove were third with 82. Nearest the pin prizes were given to Sue Ryan (Singing Hills), Mel Jupp (Worthing), Hayley McCartney (Haywards Heath) and Julie Cole (Romsey). Nearest the pin in two on the 12th was Hayley McCartney.

On the hottest day of the year, 33 Cowdray ladies ventured out in the heat to play in the Bannister Trophy. This is an 18-hole medal played as flag competition on a course in great condition.

A supply of iced water was much appreciated.

The winner of the Bannister Trophy for 2016 was Chris Sommerville coming in with an amazing score of nett 69 – reducing her handicap by three shots.

The runner-up was Ann Tyrrell with 75.

Cowdray seniors regained their winning thread with a comfortable 6-2 win home win over Pyecombe, avenging their 4½-3½ away defeat.

The weather was perfect for good golf, with the course at its magnificent best.

The advantage in the first match, between the respective team captains and their playing partners, ebbed and flowed. Highlights were Tony Pike’s birdie on the seventh and Pyecombe’s David Leach’s birdie two on the ninth.

Home captain Roy Penrose holed a timely putt on the 15th for a par and a win, which turned the match in favour of the home side, who then ran out winners by two up.

Match two went the way of Pyecombe on the 18th, which was countered by a similar win for Cowdray in match five to put the home side 3-2 up.

Cowdray won all three matches teeing off at 17 to complete the comfortable 6-2 win.

A fire alarm went off during the post-match meal so the captains’ speeches were delivered to a standing audience in the buggy park, until the all clear was sounded.

Results (Cowdray names first): Roy Penrose & Tony Pike beat David Leach & Duncan Campbell 2up; David Heard & Mick Folkes lost to Aubrey Watson & Peter Moore 1 down; Ian Heustice & Jon Fife beat Chris Openshaw & Graham Tate 6&5; Ken Marjoram & John Blockey lost to Nigel Gregg & Richard Hilton 7&5; Terry Adsett & Barry Overington beat Martin Avis & Alex Burford 1 up; Chris Hutchings & Terry Jasper beat Neil Beard & Ted Whitbourn 4&2; Sam Howes & George Crouch beat Alex Woodford & Gordon Gosling 5&3; John Smith & Wally Mitchell beat Chris Moquet & Peter Johnstone 3&2.

BOGNOR

The weather could not have been better for the Lady Captain’s Day. Sunshine and blue skies with just a hint of white cloud was the order of the day.

Refreshments on the course were welcome as the temperatures soared.

Dora Vaughn’s hole in one at the fifth was the icing on the cake. Lady captain Berit Smallcorn was praised for staging a wonderful day.

Winners - Silver Division, 1 Sue Meloy, 2 Sian Southerton, 3 Heather Tidy. Bronze A Division - 1 Margaret Martin, 2 Sally Cameron, 3 Louise Colvin. Bronze B Division - 1 Brigitta Paul, 2 Pat Fitzgerald, 3 Vanessa Cole. Nearest the Pins - Dora Vaughn (5th), Sally Cameron (15th in two). Birdies on the par 3s - 5th - Mary Adames, Dora Vaughn, Lin Harbutt; 10th - Sue Meloy, Sheila Sargeant, Sophie James.

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