Young Euro tour golf talent on show at Goodwood

The tour provides a competitive playing experience and platform for junior golfers, aged from as young as six to 18, to develop their game in a competitive environment while playing on established championship courses.

The event attracted the largest field at any of the European junior golf tournament and, following its success, the popularity of the two courses and the Academy, the European team have booked more events at Goodwood for the 2015 Series.

Competitors travelled from as far as Bristol and Wales to compete on the iconic Downs course. The junior golfers were some of the first to play the course since its recent bunker refurbishment, which provided the young competitors with an exciting challenge.

A number of Goodwood members flourished in the spring sunshine, with Chichester’s 16-year-old Leonardo Ruggieri claiming event honours in the under-17 age group with an impressive score of 75.

Nine-year-old Jamie Burchell, a Goodwood member from Chichester, was on top form in the under-nine category, who play nine holes, clinching victory with a score of 40. Goodwood’s Cameron Mcleod, a five-year-old from Lavant, won the under-six age group around the par-three Academy course

Ryan Fenwick, Golf At Goodwood head coach, said: “We were delighted to welcome the 2015 European Junior Golf Tour to Golf At Goodwood. It’s fantastic for the juniors to enjoy our relaxed, informal club atmosphere which is incredibly welcoming to children and families.

“We have seen some really enthusiastic and determined young golfers relish the opportunity to play on the Top 100 Downs course. It was extremely pleasing to see a number of our local junior golfers, who have been working on their game at the Golf At Goodwood Academy with our team of PGA professionals, finishing towards the top end of the table and putting into practice what they have learned in a fun and competitive environment.”

Roger Shutt, European junior golf tour director, added: “The Goodwood venue was chosen for the quality of the course and excellent facilities. More importantly was the fact that it is a golf club that encourages and promotes junior golf in the region with its excellent Goodwood Junior Golf Academy and professional coaching staff.”

Golf At Goodwood is offering Easter golf camps throughout April with spaces still available on the beginner and intermediate programmes.

For more information visit www.goodwood.com/golf, or to book places on the junior camps call 01243 755133 or email [email protected]

BOGNOR

Bognor’s men teed off the 2015 season in a fourball team event.

A total of 88 took part with the best two scores per hole counting. On a reasonably warm and dry day, the scoring was excellent, with 71 points the worst score.

Winners on the day with a score of 94 were Mike Wadley, Derek Whiting, Malcolm Dodds and Richard Hedge. Second with 91 were club captain Simon Watts and his partners, brothers Mark and Chris Watson, with Richard Beresford. Third with 90 were a three-ball partnership of J Vines, M Payne and M Gleaves.

Bognor seniors played two matches in their winter season. The first was a home game against Petersfield, which Bognor won 5-3, with seniors’ captain Allan Delves and his partner Chris Hickling winning handsomely 6&5.

In the second match at Waterlooville, Bognor just lost out 4½-3½.

This match was fortunate in going ahead as the previous day, the course was closed becuase of snow.

In an interesting coincidence, Bognor’s Clive Millett was paired against his nephew Steve Millett in the Waterlooville team. Clive won 6&4.

Results: v Petersfield: Allan Delves & Chris Hickling won 6&5, Vic Ward & Trevor Till won 6&4, Ian Bright & Gary Steventon won 1 up, Mike Wadley & Hugh Diaper lost 2 down, Alan Fitzgerald & Alastair MacDonald lost 1 down, David Turner & Barry Vanstone halved, Barry Ingate & Frank Hodder won 2&1, Dave Hollis & Ken Catt halved.

v Waterlooville: Frank Hodder and Richard Kaemena halved, David Turner & Trevor Till won 2&1, Andt Isitt & Clive Millet won 6&4, Ian Bright & Allan Delves lost 5&4, Brian Wolstencroft & Gary Steventon lost 4&3, Alan Fitzgerald & Ken Catt won 2&1, Chris Hickling & Barry Ingate lost 5&2, Tony Wells & Vic Ward lost 1 down.

Bognor seniors finish their winter season with a trip to Rowlands Castle at the end of February – and, believe it or not, the summer season starts in three weeks.

Bognor ladies played a Texas scramble.

Results: 1 Nicki Vincent, Angela Chandler. Mary Hardy And Jackie Chamberlain, nett 69.5; 2 Lynne Watson, Sue Sidebotham, Carmel Du Plessis and Sally Cameron 70.5; 3 Sue Redmond, Anne Coupe Jan Ireland and Edwina Beresford 71.1.

COWDRAY PARK

Cowday Park and Hindhead fought out a tremendous Surrey & West Sussex Winter League match at Cowdray Park.

The result, 2-2, was nothing unusual except for the fact that all four matches were halved, which is believed to be the first time this has happened since the league was formed.

Even more unusual was the fact that all four Cowdray pairs were in arrears coming to the end of their rounds and fought back to level.

One amusing incident occurred on the tee of the par-four tenth hole of 427 yards, when a Hindhead player, who had not played the course before looked at the bunker just in front of the green, and asked how far it was to the bunker, giving the impression he felt he could drive that far.

Both teams are still in the hunt for the title, with five teams within 4.5 points of the leaders. Hankley Common, who have completed their fixtures, are leaders with 23.5 points from Puttenham, who are finishing strongly – they have 21.5, with fixtures still to come against Cowdray Park, Hindhead and Bramley.

Cowdray are joint third with Hindhead on 20.5 and have some difficult fixtures remaining. Bramley, in fifth with 19 points, still have to face Puttenham (a), Farnham (a) and Guildford (h), so another close end to the season is anticipated.

Results (Cowdray Park names first): Terry Jasper & Derek Smith halved with Chris Osborne & Joe Barrett; Nick Austin & Rob Doney halved with Stuart King & Malcolm Carter; Graham Thompson & Dave Lucking halved with Alan Snowball & Graham Cribb; Roger Poat & Phil Harrison halved with Mark Riley & Sydney Thornton.

Cowdray Park seniors’ match managers held their pre-season get-together preceded by a Stableford competition won, with 38 points, by David Tilley, from Peter Laws with 35.

New match managers this year are Gary Strowbridge, Terry Jasper, Terry Adsett and Peter Laws.

Thirty Cowdray ladies enjoyed playing a best-nine-hole competition on a bright sunny day.

The competition is played over 18 holes and the best nine are selected. The fine weather provided excellent scoring opportunities.

Result: Div 1 Jane Holden 24pts; Sue Brown 22; Gaynor Dudman 22. Div 2 Myrna Heustice 24; Susie Brockhurst 22; Beryl Bishop 21. Div 3: Helen Chapman 23; Chris Sommerville 22; Jenny Nicholls 22.

FOXBRIDGE

Two Stablefords have been held at Foxbridge GC.

Results: Feb 7 - 1 Glyn Jones (h’cap 20) 34pts; 2 John King (18) 32; 3 Ashley Jefferies (2) 32. Feb 22 - 1 Adrian Dudman (6) 34; 2 Steve Merriott (19) 33; 3 Les Punter (19) 33.