Cornwall Golf Union
Ashenden is Seniors County Champion 2025
The CGU Seniors County Champion 2025 - Ian Ashenden
Day 1
With the championship having been separated from the age group stableford competition, 21 seniors took on the challenge of firm fast running fairways and difficult approach shots on a dry breezy afternoon at The Point. Universally agreed to have been the driest summer in years the course was presented in very good condition whilst proving a proper test for all.
Three players tied the lead on 1 over par 73s come the end of the first round - David Kneebone (Truro), Ian Ashenden (China Fleet) and Andy Rowe (Looe). Just one shot behind were a further two players in Guy Norris (Trevose) and Steve Barns (West Cornwall) with 74s. With a further two on 75 (2023 & 2024 winner Simon Knowles (Perranporth) & Dion Keyser (Newquay) there was a lot to play for on Day 2. In fact there were 12 players within 5 shots of the leading score.
Day 2
With a threatening weather forecast the players set out in reverse score order on the second day. Yet again though the players defied the forecasters and, whilst breezy conditions existed, the majority of the round was played in the dry. Arguably it was a tougher day for scoring but at the top of the leaderboard Knowles and Ashenden both shot improved rounds. Knowles had the round of the day with a 2 under par 70 to finish on 145 having done all he could to put pressure on those above him. His round was made up of 3 birdies, 14 pars and just the one bogey at the third. Whilst Rowe and Kneebone fell away somewhat, Ashenden had four birdies in his round. He was going along nicely through 8 holes at one under until a double bogey at the 9th threatened to derail him.
A bounceback birdie at the 10th was followed by three pars before a bogey at the difficult 14th. Ashenden then birdied the 17th to tie things up with Knowles. England International and County Seniors team member Ashenden then made a perhaps unlikely but nevertheless sensational birdie putt from some 35 feet above the pin on the 18th to steal a one shot win, when for all the world a play-off looked on the cards. 'Ash' thus finished with a round of one under 71 and an overall level par total of 144 against 'Docs' 145.
Third spot went to a very steady Steve Barns (West Cornwall) on a total of 150 and 4th on the same total was Guy Norris (Trevose).
In the handicap element of the championship Mike Kent (Radnor) returned two good rounds of nett 71 & 70 for a -3 total of 141 to claim a 3 shot win over Phil Rule (144) and Warwick Holland (147).
Past CGU President Andrew Clotworthy presented prizes and thanked The Point at Polzeath for their hospitality and having played himself was able to compliment the greenkeeping staff for the condition of the course at at time when the prolonged dry and warm weather had made things difficult for them, he acknowledged the efforts of the staff and also paid tribute to the proprietors Jeremy and Eva Davies on the work they have done to firmly place the club on the map in Cornwall. He urged those present to return to The Point in May 2026 when the club would be hosting what he was sure would be a very good County Week.
Ian Ashenden will now be Cornwall's representative in the England Golf Seniors Champion of Champions competition taking place at Woodhall Spa, Lincs on 13th & 14th September 2025, Good Luck to 'Ash' who will be joined at the Headquarters of England Golf by our Men's County Champion Louis Archer and Junior County Champion Oban Webber as they too participate in similar competitions.
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