CornwallGolf Union
This past five days have seen England Golf Week take place at their Woodhall Spa headquarters in Lincolnshire and for the Cornish participants there was success in a number of the handicap based events.
Saltford Golf Club team (Somerset) won the English Junior Champion Club title with a tournament-high 81 points on round two at the Hotchkin Course in Woodhall Spa. The Somerset clubs trio scored 68 points on day one to lay 12th but blew away the other contenders with a fantastic set of results on Tuesday to leapfrog into first place.
Cornwall were represented by Trevose (above) in the form of Liam Wilson, Thomas Stephens and Matthew Tremain and the Duchy trio did themselves proud. On day 1 the team performed well to be lying in second spot at the conclusion with Stephens returning an excellent 38 points on the tough Hotchkin layout. Backed by Wilson (35) the team finished on 73, just two points behind day 1 leaders Southport. Day 2 dawned warm and sunny and the team performed well again with Wilson returning 37 points and both Stephens and Tremain 34s. Playing with the team from Parkstone there was good competition as both were in the frame. Trevose’s day two total was 71 meaning a final total of 144, which was bettered by their Dorset playing partners who ultimately finished as runners up to Saltford on 148. Third spot went to The Kendleshire team on 145 meaning the top 4 spots were filled by teams from the South West Region. Junior Champion Club Scores
Wednesday brought the Women’s Medal Final over the Bracken Course and Cornwall had two representatives in Danielle Price (Perranporth) and Colette Burgess (Bude & N Cornwall). It was the latter who prevailed the best returning an 84 off her 11 handicap for a nett 73 and 4th spot in the field of 59. Price (1) recorded a gross 83 to finish in the middle of the pack (27th). The female English Handicap Golfer of the Year and winner was Holly Crompton (East Brighton Golf Club) who returned a level par 72 off her 5 handicap to secure the title ahead of three other players including Burgess. Medal Final Scores
Wednesday also saw the England Golf President’s Invitation competition take place over the renowned Hotchkin Course with 20 counties including Cornwall competing in a 4 man team with two scores to count. The Duchy team of CLCGA Vice President Jill Simmons (Mullion) and Treasurer Mo Hammond (Falmouth) coupled with CGU President Mike Ellis (Trevose) and Secretary Chris Pountney (St Mellion) triumphed with a team total of 84 (halves of 41 and 39). Having gone out first in the morning the team had a long and tense wait in increasingly wet conditions and when host county Lincolnshire as last out came in with 78 points the Cornish win was confirmed. Pountney finished in third place in the Fred Caroe Trophy which is played for by respective County Secretaries. Presidents Invitation Scores
On Thursday the final of the Australian Spoons took place over the Bracken Course. This competition is open to women with handicaps of 15 to 40. Again the county was represented this time by Sarah Ross and Pam Wevill (Launceston) and they did very well to finish as runners up, 3 points behind winners Tracey Mann and Carole Kane (Whittlebury Park Golf & Country Club). Australian Spoons Scores
Thursday and Friday were the setting for the final of the England Golf Captains series and the only Duchy representative was former CGU County Captain Alan Poole (St Mellion, above). Alan scored 34 points over the Hotchkin on Thursday and followed this with 33 on Friday to finish with 67 points in 6th spot just 4 points behind winner Graham Tansley (Toot Hill). England Golf Captains Scores
England Golf Week has a very special place in the calendar as a five-day festival which honours the handicap game. Club golfers from across the country are treated to the full championship experience as they compete in a host of finals for team and individual titles. Highlights include the finals of the women’s England Golf Medal and the Club Team Championship. In addition, the winners of Junior Champion Club competition, the Australian Spoons, the Captains’ tournaments and the Senior Series are all decided.