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WOOSNAMtargets Sunningdale victory

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News

Olson has plenty to celebrateA former rival

of American Ryder Cup stars

Dustin Johnson and Webb Simpson is in celebratory mode after finishing third in the Titleist PGA Assistant of the Year awards.Nicholas Olson, who became a dad earlier this year following the birth of his daughter Violet, has also been promoted to head professional at Kent-based Chart Hills completing a hat-trick of good news stories.

The 31-year-old was recognised for his achievements at the annual PGA Graduation at the University of Birmingham where he received a cheque for £1,500 from Titleist brand director Matthew Johnson and Ryder Cup director Richard Hills.

“It’s great to have the rewards for three years of hard work,” said Olson who finished behind Julie Otto (Elie Sports Centre) and Hiddo Uhlenbeck (Kennemer GC).

“I started out on the training

programme targeting the No 1 spot and have had a good crack at it.

“Life is going well at the moment having been given the head professional role and with the birth of my daughter, although there is a slight lack of sleep!

“I am adapting to the role having been playing and coaching more but also looking at the retail side and the running of the department. I enjoy the coaching but was always looking at going into management.”

Olson was a very talented amateur playing off a handicap of plus three and is a former England Schools captain.

He went to university in South Carolina, where he attained a business degree and also crossed swords with two of the best known players on the planet.

“Dustin Johnson and Webb Simpson were both playing contemporaries. Dustin was at Coastal Carolina University and was normally No 1, but I did beat him to Freshman of the Year.”


News

Woosnam’s got ‘that winning feeling’Ian Woosnam has set his

sights on more Major glory at this July’s Senior Open

Championship Presented by Rolex at Sunningdale Golf Club after rediscovering the winning feeling. The 1991 Masters Champion ended the 2014 European Senior Tour season on a high with victory in the Dutch Senior Open - his first Senior Tour title for three years – after reviewing his swing at the European Tour Performance Institute at Terre Blanche Resort.

Having made successful subsequent trips to the south of France since that victory, he returned to the winners’ enclosure on the US Champions Tour last week, defeating American pair Kenny Perry and Tom Lehman in a play-off at the Insperity Invitational.

Now the former World Number One is hoping to carry that momentum through to the Senior Major Championships, which begin later this month with the US PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, and he believes Sunningdale, where he won the European Open in 1988, presents him with a good chance of success.

“The thing I’ve got to look at now is winning Major tournaments,” said the 2006 European Ryder Cup Captain,


News

Woosnam’s got ‘that winning feeling’

who has 52 wins worldwide. “I’ll be feeling that going to Sunningdale, and although it is a long time since I won there, the times I’ve played around there, I always enjoy it, so hopefully I’ve got a good chance.”

The 57 year old is part a quartet of victorious European Ryder Cup captains – along with Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie and Sam Torrance – who are set to compete at Sunningdale, as Langer attempts to retain the title he claimed by 13 strokes from Montgomerie at Royal Porthcawl last year.

Woosnam finished in tied 19th place the last time the Senior Open Championship was played at Sunningdale six years ago, and he held off an illustrious chasing pack for that European Open victory at the Berkshire venue 27 years ago, finishing three strokes clear of Sir Nick Faldo, with Mark James, Sandy Lyle and José María Olazábal a further three shots back.

With another quality field expected to play in The Senior Open Championship, from July 23-26, Woosnam is looking forward to a special week.

“In 2009 it was a great tournament and it is a great golf

course,” he said. “It’s one I love to play and I think it’s great for The Senior Open to go there.

“The crowds are going to be magnificent. No-one can complain because it’s such a lovely old golf course.

“It’s the sort of golf course, with the heather and everything, that you’ve got to keep it on the fairway, but it’s not a long golf course. You have to use the right clubs off the tee and they are very small greens, so you have to be accurate as well. It is a good test for everybody. In July it depends on the weather, it could be a lot drier and running. We’re not sure how it is going to play but when you get there you work it out.”

Discounted advanced tickets to see Woosnam and a host of other legendary players in action are already on sale at www.senioropengolf.com.

Season tickets cost just £70, while one day tickets are £25 and Wednesday practice day tickets are only £12. Under 16s are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult and parking is also free.

To purchase tickets, and for details of hospitality packages, visit www.senioropengolf.com or telephone +44 (0)800 0232557 for more details.


News

If you are looking for a quality midweek golfing break in Kent

this summer which features a former Open Championship course and top class on-site accomodation and restaurant, then look no further than Prince’s Golf Club.

The Sandwich Bay links are offering a special deal in June and July. From Sunday through to Wednesday, you can stay for one night in The Lodge boutique hotel which overlooks the course, enjoy a two-course dinner, and play two rounds all for £129 (based on two sharing a standard twin room).

Revel in a summer break at historic Prince’s


News

That takes care of the bare details, but there is so much more that needs and deserves to be said about what Prince’s now offers as a golfing break destination.

There’s the historical angle of course, with Prince’s one of the three east Kent courses, along with nearby Royal St George’s and Royal Cinque Ports, who have hosted the Open Championship at some point. In Prince’s case it was back in 1932 when American legend Gene Sarazen lifted the Claret Jug.

There’s also the fact that you have the opportunity to play 27 different holes during your two-day visit

because Prince’s is actually made up of three nine-hole loops: The Shore and The Dunes, which are used for Open Qualifying when the Championship is at Royal St George’s, and The Himalayas. All are serious tests of golf but great fun as well.

And then, after you have finished your opening round, you can look forward to a quality dining experience in the Brasserie on the Bay, which has been awarded a 2 AA Rosette before, “bedding down” for the night in one of The Lodge’s 38 superior bedrooms.

Suitably refreshed the next

morning, aided by a hearty Kentish breakfast which is also included, you are then ready to take on the challenge of another 18 holes on one of the UK’s classic courses before heading for home. So what is there not to like about all that for under £130?

In addition, the club are also offering a special 18-hole fourball deal, on Monday to Thursday inclusive through to the end of September, for £200.

For more details or to book, ring 01304 611118, email [email protected], or visit the website at: www.princesgolfclub.co.uk


News

Ross marches to Zambia victoryRoss McGowan

knew exactly how he was going to

approach the back nine on his final found in the Mopani/Redpath Zambia Open at Nkana Golf Club.And it was mission accomplished as he marched to a two-shot victory. The Englishman from Barnstead Golf Club, Surrey, closed out his maiden Sunshine Tour victory with three successive birdies for his final-round of five-under-par 67 and a 13-under-par aggregate, and go racing by Danie van Tonder, who had set the clubhouse target at 11-under with his fine 66.

“I said to my caddie after I had made pars at 14 and 15 that I thought I needed to get to 12-under if I was to have a chance of winning,” he said. “Even though I had battled on the back nine in the third round, I planned to just get around the front

nine with minimal damage, and then to attack on the back nine.”

And attack he did, breezing by overnight leader Rhys West in the process, and chasing down Van Tonder with impressive golf. “I just fired at the flags on those final holes,” said McGowan. In the end, West carded a level-par 72 to finish alone in third. In the end, the four bogeys he made on his closing nine hurt his cause.

McGowan’s experience – a victory on The European Tour and two on the Challenge Tour, as well as one last month in Morocco on the MENA – was decisive in the end. West and McGowan’s playing partner Erik van Rooyen, who carded a one-under 71, were both seeking their maiden Sunshine Tour victories, and couldn’t keep the bogeys off their cards as the pressure mounted towards the end.

“I don’t think you ever

get used to the process of winning,” said McGowan, “but I do think that having been there before helps. I guess it comes down to composure and just believing in yourself, and trying to trust your game and your swing.”

The victory was about more than the swing: putting on the difficult Nkana greens was challenging, but, as his six birdies showed, he made more than his fair share of putts. “I left myself a few testers down the stretch, but nothing over four feet,” he said.

“Then on the par-five 17th, I knocked it on the edge of the green for two, so I left myself a foot-and-a-half for birdie. And on 18, it was a six-footer, and at that point, it was almost close my eyes and hope it goes in.”

It never looked like missing, and the man who had been in contention throughout wrapped things up.


News

Ross marches to Zambia victory By Charles de Haan

JAMES ABLETT (Lee-on-the-Solent) won the Knole Park Pro-Am, supported by the Porsche Centre Tonbridge, after shooting a four-under-par 66 around the tight Sevenoaks course.

Two days earlier Ablett was leading the Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit tournament at Frilford Heath after his first round of three-under-par, but he couldn’t maintain the momentum in the second round. Coming to Knole Park a day later, Ablett showed his top form once again on the challenging heathland course.

Even so, it was a roller coaster ride for Ablett, but despite three bogeys, he made five birdies and an eagle to leave a strong field of well known names behind, and claim the £650 top prize.

Two strokes behind, James Jones (Tonbridge Golf Centre) also shot five birdies mixed with three bogeys on his way to his 68 for second spot and £500.

Ablett takes Knole Park Pro-Am


Godwin flies away with

first PGA Kent Closed title

11www.countyzonegolfmag.co.ukISSUE 11 The County Zone SOUTH EAST 11www.countyzonegolfmag.co.ukIssue 10 The County Zone SOUTH EAST

The latest regional news from around the South East

COUNTYNEWS

Godwin flies away with

first PGA Kent Closed title

Barnehurst-based PGA professional Jordan Godwin

shot a level par round of 71 around Lydd GC to claim the first PGA Kent Closed Championship and a cheque for £700.

The PGA Kent Closed Championship is an exciting new venture between The PGA in Kent and the Kent Golf Union aimed at strengthening the ties between Kent’s PGA Professionals and the county’s top amateurs. Lydd GC are hosting the tournament for the first

three years, and judging from the feedback of the players’, the choice of venue has had a very positive impact.

Godwin’s 71 edged out runnerup Robert Cameron’s (Sundridge Park) 72 who took home £500, while club-mate Alfie Plant’s 73 put him

Continued on page 12 >

12 The County Zone SOUTH EAST ISSUE 11

Littlestone Golf Club, St Andrews Road, Littlestone,

New Romney TN28 8RB

Telephone: 01797 367725

Fax: 01797 367726

Chairman: Simon Naylor (Langley Park)

Secretary: Paul Loman (Littlestone)

Treasurer: Mark Ward (Rochester & Cobham)

Presidents: Jim Pocknell (Royal Blackheath)

Vice Presidents: Chris Reynolds (Littlestone) Wally Rodgers (Sundridge Park)

Past Presidents: Richard Young (Canterbury) Ray Saunders (Mid Kent) Ian Burton (Mid Kent)

Captain: Danny Curtis (Knole Park)

Board: Paul Cannons (Walmer & Kingsdown) Mike Chaston (Etchinghill)

Mark Ward (Rochester & Cobham) Danny Curtis (Knole Park) Simon Naylor (Langley Park) Mark Singfield (Littlestone) Henry Phillips (Rochester & Cobham)

Kent Golf Union

www.kentgolf.org

News

in pole position as the leading amateur by five strokes from Dan Smith on 78.

Played around Lydd’s links-style course in windy but warm conditions, newly crowned champion Godwin commented: “I’d never played Lydd before but I came away very impressed with the greens and the general condition of the course. The strong winds made course management trickier, compounded by water on around half the holes, but my ball striking was really good and I kept my ball flight under control despite the strong two to three club winds. The greens were fantastic, very true and amongst the best surfaces we’ll play this year.”

Starting at the 10th, Godwin got away to a good start with a birdie at the 11th and followed that up with six pars as he worked his way around the course he was playing for the first time. Another birdie at the 18th, his ninth, put him two-under-par at the turn and right in contention.

A three-putt at the first was repaired with a birdie at the third, but two bogeys in succession at the sixth and seventh put Godwin back on level par and fighting hard to defend his position.

As he explained: “I turned over a three-iron at the sixth and put my ball in the water, but holed a six-footer for a bogey.

At the next hole I simply misjudged a short putt. But from the start I’d reckoned that level par would be in the frame, and after grinding out two more pars to finish, my 71 proved to be right on the money.”

He added: “Talking to players afterwards, I’d say that everyone was really impressed with Lydd Golf Club, especially the greens, so I’d like to thank the club on behalf of all the competitors, and we’re all looking forward to coming here again.”

Secretary of The PGA in Kent Sam Smith agreed with Kent Golf Union secretary Paul Loman when he said: “The PGA in Kent Closed Championship is really going to extend the ways in which we can make the relationship between both professional and amateur organisations and golfers, especially for those amateurs that want to pursue careers in golf, maybe even for some who are thinking about a future in The PGA.”

Charles Buchanan, chief executive of Lydd GC, said: “I am very excited about the tournament’s success and its potential for Lydd Golf Club. A tournament of this kind run by The PGA is a terrific way to raise the club’s profile, showcase the course to Kent’s premier golfers and let them see its true strengths for themselves. Clearly, this has proved to be the case.”

> From page 11


KENT

• Matthew Woolf from Royal Blackheath won the Kent Mid Age Championionship at Bearsted GC. The two-handicapper recorded a 10-over-par two-round total of 152 to win on countback from scratch player Danny Smith from Sundridge Park. In third place, one shot behind, was one-handicapper John Coupe from Prince’s.

• Mark Hillson (Tandridge) won the second TP Tour event of the year at Royal St George’s. Mark fired a fine two-under-par 68 around the famous Open Championship links to win by one shot from Moor Park’s Callum Shinkwin.

• Stuart Grosvenor retained his Spring Classic title at Faversham GC. The four-handicapper scored 42 points to finish one in front of Mark Welsh, who was off 12 handicap. The ladies’ Spring Meeting went to Jan Sayle with a nett 68 off her 18 handicap, while the club’s Junior Open was won by Luke Welham (Lullingstone) with a 71.

> NEWS IN BRIEF

Eynsford schoolgirl Sharna Dutrieux has become the

youngest ever winner of the Kent County Ladies’ Championship.Sixteen-year-old Sharna, who is a member of Wrotham Heath, won the title at Rochester & Cobham GC.

In the semi-finals two-handicapper Sharna defeated Mollie Lawrence (Rochester & Cobham) 3&2 before beating Tita McCart (Sundridge Park) 4&2 in the final. Her father Steve said: “I first encouraged Sharna to take up golf several years ago and her ambition is to become a professional when she gets older.”

The Seniors Championship was won by Mira Lee (Knole

Park) who defeated Debbie Gorin (Wrotham Heath) 3&2 in the final.

The Centenary Cup, played for by the matchplay stage non-qualifiers as a medal round off handicap, was won by Karen White (Wrotham Heath).

After the championships the Kent team to play in County Week at Worthing from June 22-26 was named as follows: Sharna Dutrieux (Wrotham Heath); Tita McCart, Rachel Martin, Ainee O’Connor, Nancy O’Connor (all Sundridge Park); Sandy Catford (Chart Hills); Mollie Lawrence (Rochester & Cobham); Nicole Amos (Faversham); Stephanie Marshall (Birchwood Park). Non-travelling reserve: Holly Standing (Ashford).

Sharna becomes youngest ever County Champion

Prizewinners in the Kent County Ladies’ Championships


Wallis joint winner at JSP Charity Pro-Am

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Five players showed their winning form at

the JSP Construction Industry Charity Pro-Am, shooting six-under-par 66s around the Longcross course at Foxhills GC. The JSP Construction Industry Charity Pro-Am is played to support of the Lighthouse Club charity, which gives financial help to thousands of families who have lost their breadwinner’s income through illness, injury or

death in the construction industry. The five winning PGA Professionals, Bob Cameron (Sundridge Park), Richard Wallis (North Foreland), Guy Woodman (Longball Inc.), Kieran Staunton (Woodcote Park), and Guy Shoesmith (West Hill), each took home £400 for their stunning 66s.

To accommodate the huge support from the large number of companies supporting the event, the team competition was based on a five ball format with the best two Stableford scores counting.

The eventual winners on 95 points were Wingate Electrical PLC playing with the new PGA Kent Closed champion Jordan Godwin who enjoyed another good day at the office carding a three-under-par 69.

One of the five winners, former four-time Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit champion Richard Wallis said: “It was the ideal day for this event, with lots of sunshine putting everyone in a great mood for a day’s golf on what proved to be a course in immaculate condition.


Free lessons at Birchwood Park Golf CentreBirchwood Park Golf Centre are offering free lessons in conjunction with National Golf Month throughout May. The Dartford centre welcomes any individual, of any age, who wishes to be introduced, or reintroduced to the game the chance to have an hour lesson with Birchwood Park PGA Teaching Professional Keiran Poole. Offering a great way to begin a journey into the game, the one-on-one lesson will take place in a friendly, relaxed environment and will be tailored to the individual needs.

There is no obligation to continue with lessons following the introductory session. All free lessons in conjunction with National Golf Month will take place at the Golf School at Birchwood Park, a recognised beginner and junior friendly facility.

Interested parties can head to: www.birchwoodparkgc.co.uk/learn to register

News KENT

The men and lady members of Broome Park

GC competed for the individual Claret Jug trophies donated by the family of Don Lees in memory of the former club secretary.A full field of 85 members battled through some pretty unpleasant weather off the white tees under very difficult conditions.

The ladies’ winner was Del

Burtenshaw (h15) with a stableford score of 35 points.

Runner-up was Jackie Acres (h19) with 31 on countback from Alison Doe. Paul Watkins (h8) took the men’s trophy with 38 points, one more than Vince Ryan (h9) who was runner-up on countback from Peter Fry (h8).

The trophies were presented in the splendid setting of the Georgian Room at Broome Park by club captain Alan Goggin and lady captain Betty Martin.

Broome Park members show support for former secretary

Alan Goggin with winners Del Burtenshaw, Paul Watkins and Betty Martin




01732 364039www.poultwoodgolf.co.uk

Enjoy unlimited golf at Poult Wood for as little as £42.50 a month! Our memberships provide access to the 18 and 9 Hole courses and are ideal for adults and juniors alike. Membership prices have been held at 2014/15 rates and our Junior Annual membership has been reduced to just £99!

Membership options are as follows:

7 Day Annual Membership £741 or £65 a month Direct Debit

5 Day Annual Membership £484.50 or £42.50 a month Direct Debit

Junior Annual Membership £99 or £10 a month Direct Debit

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Unlimited golf from just £42.50 a month!

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PROMO CODE: CZG1

Lydd Golf Club secured one of their most notable victories by winning the East Kent Alliance Marlowe Trophy for the first time in their history. The annual competition, which brings together 108 golfers from 18 clubs across east Kent, is held at six different clubs from October to March. The winning Lydd team was Paul Gasson (captain), Neil Everitt, Peter Julian, Gordon Brooker, Dave Loftus with trophy, Phil Noble, Pete Mills and Gary Vickups.

Lydd win East Kent Alliance

News

01732 364039www.poultwoodgolf.co.uk

Enjoy unlimited golf at Poult Wood for as little as £42.50 a month! Our memberships provide access to the 18 and 9 Hole courses and are ideal for adults and juniors alike. Membership prices have been held at 2014/15 rates and our Junior Annual membership has been reduced to just £99!

Membership options are as follows:

7 Day Annual Membership £741 or £65 a month Direct Debit

5 Day Annual Membership £484.50 or £42.50 a month Direct Debit

Junior Annual Membership £99 or £10 a month Direct Debit

Get in touch and become a member today.

Unlimited golf from just £42.50 a month!

JOIN US Prices same or less than 2014/15!

2776 PW membership advert.indd 1 01/05/2015 17:29

KENT

After practicing hard all winter Staplehurst Golf Centre’s Scott

Stevens carded a seven-under-par 137 to win the inaugural Order Of Merit at Frilford Heath, the opening event of the 2015 Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit schedule. Topping the leaderboard of

120 players on the Blue course at Oxfordshire’s Frilford Heath, Stevens shot one of the two lowest final round scores, a five-under-par 67, to win the title and £2,000. His superb performance, especially on the back nine, left him three strokes ahead of his nearest rivals Rob Gowers (South Winchester)

Staplehurts’s Stevens wins at Frilford Heath


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18ISSUE 5 The County Zone SOUTH EAST

For more information please call 01227 830728 or visit our website

There’s never been a better time to become a member at Broome Park

2015 MEMBERSHIP OFFERS7 Day membership £600 5 Day membership £400

Terms and conditions apply

Less than a month after rejoining Canterbury GC

following a five-year break, Dan Pilbeam, (pictured), landed one of the club’s most coveted titles with victory in the 36-hole John Hogben Trophy. However, after the final round developed into a shoot-out with first-round leader Ian Munday, the 30-year-old chef didn’t immediately realise he had won. “Ian and I finished level but I thought I had

just missed out until it was confirmed that the countback was over the whole of the second round and not just the back nine.”

Pilbeam then followed up his victory by teaming up with older brother Mick to take top honours in

the Cryer Cup. But, once again, it took the golfing equivalent of a photo-finish to determine the finishing order, with the leading six pairs being covered by only a single stroke.

Playing off a Greensomes handicap of 9.2, Dan (h14) and Mick (h6) dropped only one shot over the first nine – a bogey four at the second – but started the back nine with five bogeys in a row. A run of three pars got their challenge back on track and a birdie at the par-five 18th provided what proved to be the clincher.

Pilbeam back in winning mode


News KENT

Virgin Atlantic has flown to the rescue of

Arthur Saunders and realised the dream of the five-year-old Kent youngster of flying to America with his father to take part in the IMG Academy Junior World Championship in San Diego in July.Arthur, who plays out of Littlestone GC, earned himself a place in the prestigious championship in March when he finished second in the Boys 6 and Under division of the British Junior Golf Tour at Redbourn GC in Hertfordshire.

Then, friends and members

of Littlestone had only just announced the staging of a golf day in order to raise the £4,500 required to fund Arthur and his father’s trip when Virgin Atlantic generously stepped in and offered them free trans-Atlantic flights.

The golf day at Littlestone, scheduled for June 12 and priced at just £50pp, will still go ahead to cover expenses such as accommodation and car hire for the Saunders whilst in America. Any excess money raised will go into a bursary pot for other juniors at Littlestone.

To play or donate a prize please contact Sarah at Littlestone Golf Club at sarah@littlestonegolfclub

Practice makes perfect at Ashford GC

Members of Ashford Golf Club now have two new practice bays in which to try to hone their game.

Club secretary Keith Osbourne said: “The practice bays will prove to be a great asset to the club members for winter practice, and for sheltering from the extreme sunshine that we hope to get throughout the summer!”

Kent youngster off to World Championship

Ashford Club Captain Dennis Parfitt, ladies’ captain Jackie Luetchford and head professional Mark Lawrie.

The County Zone SOUTH EAST ISSUE 920 www.countyzonegolfmag.co.uk

Rugby star on the receiving endFormer Welsh rugby international and British Lion forward John Taylor found himself on the receiving end after handing over the majority of the prizes at the John Taylor Golf Day at Canterbury Golf Club. For it was Taylor’s own team that finished top of the leaderboard. The player-turned-commentator partnered the host club’s David Elliott, John Gawler and Bert Whyte to a convincing victory with Bob Staples, Steve Metherell, Nick Swain and Dave Huskinson, also from Canterbury, taking the runners-up spot.

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Brame scores a home victory at Tudor Park

Marriott Tudor Park GC played host to

a strong field of players from across the south east for the second event of the 2015 Kent Golf Tour. With lovely spring sunshine and a stiff breeze the course proved a tough test for all the players.

Victory went to Tudor Park member Darren Brame

with 36 points. Kipp Popert (Wildernesse) was runner-up with 34, and in third place was Maurice Cleaves (The Addington) with 33.

Darren now leads the tour’s Order of Merit with an 47 points, 11 in front of Anthony Clines (Nizels) who won the opening event at Littlestone.

For more information about the tour or to enter an event, ring Gemma on 01233 642069 or visit the tour website at: www.kentgolftour.com


News

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T

Sutton Green Golf Club, New Lane, Sutton Green,

Surrey GU4 7QF

Telephone: 01483 755788

Fax: 01483 751771

President: S. Mostyn (Tyrrells Wood)

Past Presidents: Richard G Humphrey (Bramley)

David A Basham (Burhill)

Peter J Saies (Royal Mid-Surrey)

John WM Ling (Betchworth Park)

William Bryce (Royal Mid-Surrey)

Martin Christmas (R- M-Surrey)

Roger Vincent (Burhill)

Captain: Mark Booker (Royal Wimbledon)

Board of Directors: Jack Buchanan (Hindhead) Terry Christy (West Byfleet) Stuart King (Reigate) Alan Page (Purley Downs) Steve Parrish (Burhill) Ken Schofield (West Hill)

Secretary: John A Davies (Reigate Heath)

Treasurer: Stewart Simpson (Effingham)

Surrey Golf Union

www.surreygolf.org

Thirty one young golfers from Surrey’s junior

Nike Rookie Tour were invited back to the Sky Sports television studios this month.The Nike Rookie Tour had previously been featured on the Gamechangers programme, showing the best of junior golf in Surrey at their Race to the Stars finale. This time the youngsters joined Dunhill Links Champion Oliver Wilson in the studio where he gave them tips to improve their putting. They then went outside the studio where the European Tour had loaned their BMW Mega Putt challenge feature. This will be available for the public to try at next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club. The 61 foot reconstruction of

the first hole on the West Course is complete with miniature hazards such as trees and bunkers. The children had great fun doing this super skills challenge with Noah Evans holing his putt on live TV!

Sky Sports host Di Dougherty called the group from the Nike Rookie Tour “a brilliant bunch of young talented golfers”. They all had an exciting day and enjoyed the thrill of being on Sky Sports. Surrey’s Nike Rookie Tour is the largest junior golf tour in Europe and is open to boys and girls under the age of 14 of various golfing abilities. If you have a family member who would be interested in joining in the fantastic experience of playing with other young golfers please contact Bob Lacey, Rookie Tour Manager [email protected].

Surrey’s junior Rookie Tour players star on Sky Sports

News

22 The County Zone SOUTH EAST ISSUE 11

Thame pro prevails in challenging conditions

News

Oxfordshire’s Craig Hinton held his nerve

to beat the elements and 85 rivals as Dummer Golf Club in Hampshire hosted the second stop on the 2015 Jamega Pro Golf Tour.The Thame golfer came from three shots back after the first round to shoot a tournament joint-best 66 and finish two clear of James Ruebotham and David Dixon, the

winner of the first Jamega Pro Golf Tour event in 2015 at Machynys Links. “Considering conditions, I played pretty solid golf,” Hinton, 26, said after finishing with an eight under total of 136. “I struggled around the greens with the wind but drove it really well throughout.”

Four birdies on the back nine on day two, including three in the final four holes, proved decisive.

“I knew I was in with a shout midway through the round,” he added. “Leading

by one on the last I hit a couple of solid shots into the green and a 15-footer downhill for birdie was enough.”

The players battled all four seasons in two days as occasional sunshine was blighted by heavy rain, strong winds and hailstones, with an electrical storm forcing play to be suspended on the second afternoon, resulting in a remarkable effort from ground staff to make the flooded course playable again.

SURR

EY


Encouraging a shy and withdrawn 13-year-old to take

up golf has resulted in unexpected benefits for the teenager and his coach. A PGA golf professional has been praised by the mother of an autistic teenager for helping to boost her son’s concentration, confidence and communication skills by turning him on to golf. Anna Cliff, 47, of Redhill, Surrey, says that her teenage son, William, was shy and withdrawn before starting golf lessons at Steve Furlonger’s Golf Made Simple Junior Academy, based at the Redhill Golf Range. Now, according to Anna, William is more sociable, friendly and approachable, thanks to the dedication and patience shown by Steve Furlonger, a PGA Professional and his team of coaches.

Meanwhile, the positive effect the coaching has had on the youngster has inspired them to write and publish a play to learn book, Golf Made Simple For Kids. Aimed at five to 12-year-olds, each of the book’s 64 pages features a hand-drawn illustration accompanied by a rhyme that complements the image. “The object is to get the reader to visualise what we’re trying to get across,” explains Furlonger. “To teach a child how to play golf requires a different approach than when teaching an adult. First and foremost it has to be fun or you will lose their interest.“

For further information, visit www.golfmadesimpleforkids.com, call Steve Furlonger on 07595955915 or email him at [email protected].

Redhill Pro puts autistic boy onto fairway of success

Surrey Under 14 squad member helps launch the BMW PGA Championship

Wentworth junior scholar, and Surrey U14 squad member Daniel Stafford was fortunate to be chosen to play the 18th hole at the club with former Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley and Ladies European Tour professional Charley Hull, along with England U21 India Clyburn.

Daniel and Paul teamed up to take on the girls to promote the forthcoming BMW PGA Championship event at Wentworth Club May 21-24. The boys won.

It was a great experience for Daniel who had to very quickly learn to deal with the huge pressure of having photographers all around him while he was taking his shots and of course playing with some big time companions, to his credit he did it brilliantly and said he absolutely enjoyed what was a fantastic opportunity to play with some top players.

News SURREY


NewsNews

Eastbourne Downs Golf Club,

East Dean Road, Eastbourne,

East Sussex, BN20 8ES

Telephone: 01323 746677 Fax: 01323 746777

Our email is: [email protected]

President: David Richardson - (Eastbourne Downs)

County Secretary: Anup Vasant JP - (Dyke Golf Club)

Assistant County Secretary: Nicky Reeves - (Eastbourne) Captain: Alan Covey - (Ifield Golf Club) Junior Manager: Ian Jaggard - (Mannings Heath)Treasurer: Ray Smith - (Crowborough)Committee Members: Ron Collie - (Haywards Heath) Michael Phillpot - (West Hove) Gerry Honeysett - (H. Heath) Richard Stewart - (Dyke GC) Mike Grindell - (Dyke GC) Richard Thomas (W.Sussex) Past Presidents: Michael Vans Agnew - (Dyke GC) Derek Sparrow - (Dyke GC) Richard Palmer - (Royal Ashdown) Bernard Yates - (Dyke GC) David Harmer - (Willingdon) John Bury - (East Sussex National) Vice Presidents: Joe Pierce - (Ham Manor) David Alderson - (West Sussex Golf Club) John Wilson - (West Chiltington) Gary Scarfield Kerry Scott JP - (Copthorne GC) Trevor Greenfield - (Pyecombe GC)

Sussex Golf Union

www.sussexgolf.org

News

Sunday 12th April saw the Sussex Under 14 team

welcome Suffolk U14’s for the first match of the 2015 season.Sussex fielded a very strong team including lead by captain Charlie Hilton which was going to give Suffolk a tough match.

The teams played 9 holes foursomes in the morning with very closely fought games. Charlie Hilton and Will Townsend lead the boys out and fought a tough match to win 2&1, Zack Bacon and Jake Stoneham were edged out 2&1, Ben Clarke and Ollie Smith won 4&2, Harvey Evans & Joe Sullivan halved their match and the final match of Erik Anderberg Rae Bicknell won 4&2. At lunch

Sussex were ahead by 3½ to 1½. Although the day was fine the wind had increased during the morning and the lads had to contend with very blustery conditions. After lunch the match took the form of 10 single matches. Charlie Hilton again lead the way and after a slow start in his match he fought back to win 1 up, despite playing well Will Townsend was edged out on the last hole, Zack Bacon fought well to claw his way back after a slow start to win up the last. The remaining seven matches (Jake Stoneham, Ollie Smith, Joe Sullivan, Rae Bicknell, Ben Clarke, Erik Anderberg and Harvey Evans) all came home with Sussex wins. The final result of the match was 12 ½ to 2 ½ to Sussex.

U14’s come out on top against Suffolk


Mannings Heath, an Exclusive

Golf Club in Horsham, has launched a ‘Golfers of the Future’ initiative, designed to encourage more youth participation into the sport.The initiative follows a survey from the Youth Sport Trust in January 2015, which found that the number of children playing sport is in steep decline, with children born today forecast to be 35 per cent less active by 2030 than those in 1961.

To break down the barriers of participation, Mannings Heath now

offers significantly reduced tiered fees, with junior membership free for under 12 years, £100 for 12 to 14 years old and £150 for 15 to 18 years.

Regular weekend and school holiday coaching roll ups and playing opportunities are being introduced, in addition to more interclub competitions for the established players.

Since launching the initiative, Mannings Heath has seen a significant uptake of new junior members and renewal of existing memberships, for both girls and boys.

The club boasts the award-winning members only

Waterfall Course and the Kingfisher Course, set in 500 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside.

Stephanie Hall, General Manager at Mannings Heath, commented: “We are determined to play our part in tackling the decline of young people partaking in sport, and for us this means launching an initiative to encourage and welcome juniors into our club.”

For more information about Mannings Heath and their ‘Tee for 4’ offer at just £99 per four-ball on the Kingfisher course, please visit www.manningsheath.com and follow @ManningsHeath

Mannings Heath launch hunt for ‘Golfers of the Future’

News

U14’s come out on top against Suffolk


Competition

WIN A GOLFBUDDY BB5

WIN AN GOLFBUDDY BB5 GPS Golf BandHow much is the new BB5 band worth?A). £89.00 B). £150.00 C). £199.00Please complete this form and post to: The County Zone, 5 Tangle Oak, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2PG

Competition runs unti June 18th, 2015. Terms and conditions apply.

ANSWER:

NAME:

ADDRESS:

POSTCODE:

CONTACT No.

EMAIL:

Here’s your chance to own one of Golfbuddy’s innovative new BB5 Golf GPS bands. Look good off the course and play even better on it with this styilish new

product. Worth £199, the BB5 is packed with outstanding technology from award-winning GolfBuddy, the only GPS company that provides on-foot course mapping

AND no annual fees or subscriptions. To enter simply answer the question below and send us your entry. Or you can enter via our website or Facebook. Good Luck!

YOU CAN ALSO ENTER ONLINE AT WWW.COUNTYZONEGOLFMAG.CO.UK AND ON FACEBOOK





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Equipment

FJ Introduces HYPERFLEX Footwear with the Premium Boa Closure

Following the introduction of its highly innovative

HYPERFLEX footwear in early 2015, FootJoy has expanded its line with shoes equipped with the popular Boa® Closure System.

HYPERFLEX, the most distinctive category in FJ’s history, features innovative materials like the new FlexGrid™ exoskeleton to deliver lightweight support and cushioning, giving the comfort of athletic footwear with the stability and performance of a golf shoe.

Each of the two new styles now available with the Boa Closure System enable players to enjoy all of the benefits of wearing HYPERFLEX with an additional level of custom, micro-adjustable, consistent fit.

“When we first learned of this new alternative system to laces,

it didn’t take long to realize there were many similarities between the brands that have, years later, resulted in a long-standing, successful relationship,” said Doug Robinson, FJ Vice President of Design and Development.

“The Boa Closure System, like the FJ line of golf shoes, has undergone significant improvements since the first collaborative product was introduced and now, with HYPERFLEX, we’re excited to marry their most advanced system with our latest performance product.”

FJ was the first golf shoe manufacturer to implement Boa after it had gained popularity in other industries, like snowboarding, cycling and hiking. In fact, the collaboration between the brands dates back to 2004 when FJ first began developing a shoe that integrated the closure system,

called ReelFit. After testing all possible locations for the Boa dial mount, FJ concluded the heel-mounted system was ideal for golf. As the system is engaged, the Boa Dial pulls the stainless steel laces evenly through the nylon guides on the top of the shoe and back through the collar, gradually guiding the foot down and back into the heel pocket, as the collar surrounds the ankle for a secure, consistent and comfortable fit.

In addition to the four laced styles already available from FJ partner retailers, two Boa styles are now in stores in White/Light Grey/Royal Blue and Charcoal/Orange colourways with an RRP of £150.

For more information on HYPERFLEX visit www.footjoy.co.uk/HYPERFLEX or follow the brand on twitter at @FootJoyEurope


Equipment

Looking good on and off the course

British eyewear company Sunwise® is excited to announce its new range of sunglasses for golfers.

The company’s latest golf range offers bright and bold British designs whilst boasting innovative features new to the eyewear market.

2015 sees Sunwise® meeting the needs of golfers with the introduction of retro fashion ranges whilst developing new sports eyewear with the latest in lens technology of the highest quality.

The new Chromafusion® 2.0 technology, developed by Sunwise® in response to market demand for a more efficient photochromic lens system, offers effective eyewear protection against low to high sun glare with perfect Sunwise® optical clarity.

Chromafusion® 2.0 features on the new Waterloo Blue and Waterloo Chrome models (RRP £69.99), and it also features as the new lens for the highly popular Wellington White and Wellington Black models (RRP £79.99).

This outstanding lens is light-reacting, which makes it ideal for early-morning or dusk rounds as well as golf played in full daylight, without the need to change lenses. Chromafusion® 2.0 features panoramic lenses which include fantastic colour balance in all viewing conditions with light control for use all year round. The innovative 2.0 advanced anti-fog technology eliminates the need to cut holes into the lenses whilst their water-resistance means that these lenses can perform in even the most demanding wet weather conditions.

For more info visit www.sunwise.co.uk

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