Kent Golfing News 2007

NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY by FRED WINTER

EGU GOLD MEDAL QUALIFIER (West Malling – 16^th July 2007). In ideal weather conditions and on a course in excellent trim, 39 Kent Members enjoyed the 18 hole qualifying round of the EGU competition played out on the Hurricane circuit. The field was slightly up on last year’s 34 but nevertheless still a disappointing entry from a potential of over 90 Clubs and for what would be a virtually ‘free-be’ weekend to come for the best 4 Stableford scores. Those through will be the guests of the EGU and responsible just for their travel to Woodhall Spa.for the final on the 18/19 August. With Handicaps ranging from 4 to 24, Nick Smith (Hemsted Forest) took first spot with 37 points off 9, Kent Senior Richard Whitington (Sheerness) off 4 H/c followed on 36, and 5 handicapper Seb Wells (Chart Hills) with 35 points and Malloy Parks (Romney Warren) on 12 H/c for 34 points completed the County’s quota. Prizes kindly presented by Club Vice Captain Richard Anderson. Hopefully more Clubs will support the Gold Medal and endeavour to open up competition by ensuring their Members are fully aware of the Conditions of Entry and be in a position to offer an entry to next year’s Qualifier.  

East Berkshire Stag 11th July 2007

EGU SE Group County Qualifying at Abridge GC on 7^th July 2007

The lure of pre-qualifying for ‘The Open’ at Rochester & Cobham on the Wednesday prior to this event, coupled with the prospect of having to travel to Scotland, proved too much for Lloyd Campbell and Tom Sherreard who, disappointingly, declined the offer to play at Abridge. This, together with the fact that Matt Haines had been selected to play for his Country in the European Boys’ Championship meant that the familiar trend of Kent being unable to field its strongest team continued. However, the six selected were top quality players and the management team remained optimistic.

Visiting this demanding course for the first time, all the players enjoyed a productive practice round under the expert eye of Paul Page and spirits were high as we arrived for the competition on Saturday morning.

Leading the way James Smith experienced early problems and was quickly four over par. However, the England player fought back, as he always does, finishing at level par (when has he ever let the County down?). Danny O’Reilly, Jason Barnes and Michael Bush followed team instructions and returned good scores with Mike Bush leading the way with a superb two under par 70.

The major surprise of the first round was an unbelievable 82 from Michael Hart, which included a 9 at the par 3 second. It must have been years since the ever reliable and steady Hart has ever recorded such a high score and it will certainly be years before he does so again.

However, despite this, the team remained optimistic as a good score from Liam Burns would mean that we would still be in contention. News soon circulated that Liam had recorded an acceptable 76 and it was calculated at lunch that we would be in third spot, and only 5 shots behind the halfway leaders, Essex.

Then tragedy struck. The EGU officials called Liam into their room to announce that he had signed for a wrong score. On the par five 16th, Liam’s opponent had recorded a 4 on his card, whereas he had actually taken a 5. At the end of the round the Bedfordshire player asked Liam if he had taken 38 for each nine holes. Liam agreed that he had and signed his card without checking the score for each individual hole. In fact the Beds player had also added the total up incorrectly making the total 76 instead of 75.  

Liam was therefore disqualified, and as all 6 scores were to count, so was the County.

Armed with this knowledge the players vowed to prove their class and resolve by continuing to do their best in the afternoon. However, some had already started their second round oblivious to the team’s disqualification. A decision was taken to find each player on the course and to inform them. This news clearly affected Danny O’Reilly more than others as he immediately started to drop shots. Nevertheless, they continued to try and significantly the second round Kent total of 445 was the best score of the afternoon.

Indeed, had we not been DQ’d we would have finished second, one shot behind the eventual winners Hampshire; and all this despite the bizarre 82 from Michael Hart and the disappointing 80 from Danny O’Reilly.

Liam was visibly upset and apologetic and it was to his credit that he managed to perform so well in the afternoon. His team mates were philosophical about his mistake, attaching no blame to his error and supporting him fully; I am sure he has learnt from this experience and will be far more careful in the future.

Huge credit must go to Mike Bush for being the leading player of the overall tournament with a 36-hole total of 140 – 4 under par. 

Thanks as ever to the President, Wally Rodgers and Dave Oldcorn who took the time to support this important event, with special thanks to Pat Donaghey and Bernie Sparkes who caddied for 36 holes in very warm conditions.

Thanks also to Paul Page for his help and professional advice throughout the two days and to those players who also pre-qualified for ‘The Open’ but chose to support the County, agreeing to travel to Scotland early the next morning.

Hampshire finished as leaders and will represent the EGU SE Group at the English County Finals at Cleveland GC in October.

KENT SENIORS v SUSSEX (Lamberhurst – 3^rd July 2007). Following their defeat of Dorset and then topping the SE Group Qualifier, even the absence of Chris Reynolds with a ‘tennis elbow’ (very  contagious during Wimbledon !), did not prevent Kent’s Seniors from advancing progress in the SE Group League with an impressive win over Sussex. Not the first out, but the first home, Peter Cowell set Kent off with an indecent 8&6 against Peter Earl, and Howard Moxon 4&3 and Ian Mason 5&4 against Brain Berney and Bernard Yates respectively, put Kent 3 games up before Sussex registered their first win as Rod Brown beat Sam Smale 4&3. Roger Salmon cruised in with 7&5 over Tony Mote and as Tony Jones lost out to David Hirons at the 16th, Kerry Scott beat Dick Seamer at the last for the Visitors third win, leaving Kent wanting something from the closing games, now crucial. However, with Chris Buckley downing Gerry Honeyset 2&1, Rick Moore beating John Spendlove at the 18th, and ‘new boy’ Robin Young taking Terry Brady 3&2,  Kent after all the tension were comfortably home.

Result:  Kent 7  -  Sussex 3.   

THE KENT SENIORS TEAM AT BASINGSTOKE GC AFTER QUALIFYING FOR THE ENGLISH SENIORS COUNTY FINALS AT ROTHERHAM IN OCTOBER

SENIORS GOLF (Basingstoke – 27^th June 2007). Topping the 11 Counties in the EGU SE Group qualifying round, Kent made their way through to the County Finals in October for the third successive year.  However it was a real team effort and a case of ‘all hands to the pump’ as based on the best five scores of the 6-man teams, Kent levelled with BB&O at 374 aggregate and the score of the sixth man was used to decided the issue. Strangely, Chris Reynolds having for the first time the worst Kent score nevertheless had the better of his BB&O counterpart and sent his side through. Roger Salmon’s one over par 71 was second best of the day to BB&O’s David Lane with 69 and achieved in strong winds and on a course softened by flooding two days earlier. Dick Seamer, Peter Cowell, Chris Buckley and Howard Moxon contributed to the score.

JOHN MACKLEN (SUNDRIDGE PARK)

KENT AMATEUR CHAMPION 2007

KENT AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS (Sundridge Park 15^th – 17^th June 2007). Building on a 3 under par 68 opening round in the 72 hole stroke stage of the Championships, Michael Hart (Sundridge Park) added an afternoon 70 for a total 138 to beat the Field of 71 and club-mate Daniel Dring by 3 shots to win the Scratch Cup.  In doing so, Hart could never have imagined that it would start a record-breaking ‘clean sweep’ of the Kent Amateur’s Trophies by his Club.

Hart’s lunch break lead had been threatened by Liam Burns (Sundridge Park) just one behind, Bill Britton (Pedham Place) and Lloyd Godwin (West Malling) on 71, and with Dring, Lewis Sturdy (Sundridge Park), Terry Crawley (West Kent), David Jessup Jnr.(Rochester & Cobham) and Juniors Ryan Boyns (The Ridge) and Canterbury’s Levi Johnson bunched on 72.  In the second round, Dring closed with a best afternoon 69 for a 141 total to await Hart’s response as Burns lost his challenge on 74.  Dring did not have long to wait as Hart returned a sub-par 70 to total 138 and close the shop.  Britton, Crawley, and Jessup had found the mid 70’s and Godwin and Johnson fell away dropping 8 shots including a triple bogey with Boyns overshooting the last and unlucky in finding 9.  Charlie Wilson (Sene Valley) closed with 71 but along with John Macklen (Sundridge Park) and Danny O’Reilly (North Foreland) finishing on 72’s, had left too much to do from the morning. Sturdy was consistent on a second 72. Hart’s 138 also won the Astor Cup for best nett and the Simpson Cup for best gross from an Under 25. The first 16 to enter the Match-play rounds of the Championship included Hart, Sturdy, Dring, Burns and Macklen, Godwin, Crawley, Britton, O’Reilly, Wilson, Jessup, Scott Mutter (Rochester & Cobham), Jordan Gibb (Deangate Ridge), David Orrin (North Foreland), Lee Ferris (Lamberhurst) and past Champion Danny Curtis (Knole Park). Hart’s run in the Championship was ended at the first hurdle by 2001 Champion Godwin who subsequently went out along with Mutter, both losing to Crawley who then moved into the first semi-final. In the second semi, Dring lost out to Gibb at the last but having then put out Jessup, Gibb’s progress was halted by Macklen who had eliminated Club-mate Burns in the second round. In the Final, Macklen was never behind and holding the reins at two-up with two to play when his drive found the fairway bunker. Playing out, his third to the green finished pin high whilst following a good drive Crawley’s second struck a hard patch on the green, running through and over the back. Chipping back he then watched as Macklen holed for 4 to win hole and the Championship.    

The Hetherington Salver unusually raised the only extra holes of the Championship with Damien Turner (Rochester & Cobham) beating Royal Cinque Ports Michael Hedges at the 20th. Turner then fell to Luke Rooke (Shooters Hill) by one hole, Rooke then being was stopped in the first semi-final by Ryan Boyns. Rudi I’Anson (Eltham Warren) and Tom Beaumont (Sundridge Park) made it through to the second semi-final with Beaumont winning to join Boyns in the Final.  At one down after 9, Beaumont reversed the odds and held to a 2&1win to take the Hetherington Salver.

Adding to the tally, John Macklen, Daniel Dring and Liam Burns took the Team Championship, and Sundridge Park will compete in the English Champion Club Tournament at Hesketh in September.  

The County are indebted to Sundridge Park, the Members and Staff for the hospitality afforded the County Officials and Players throughout the Championships, and for the presence of Club Captain Frank Weaver who kindly presented the Trophies. The Captain was presented with a Plaque to commemorate the occasion.

MATT & DARREN CRABB (DARTFORD)

WINNERS OF THE 2007 BROTHERS OPEN FOURSOMES AT CHISLEHURST

ENGLISH BOY’S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP (Sheringham – 1^st June 2007) Kent opened well in the 6-man Team EGU SE Group Qualifier, tieing with Surrey on 351 in the morning thanks to three sub-par rounds including a second best 4 under par 67 from Levi Johnson.  Support came from George Kensell 69, Bill Britton 70, Duncan Pike 72 and Matt Haines 73.  With the best 5 scores counting, 6th man Jonathan Bell could not better Haines 73 to get in on the act. With Kensell, Britton and Pike continuing to play well in the afternoon and Haines offering 70, Johnson unfortunately lost form at a critical time to register 80 and a Kent second round 361 put them second to winners Surrey by 5 shots. A good team effort but finishing on a sad note after a great start sparked by Johnson.  What might have been……!

Surrey’s Gary King set a new amateur course record on 64.

NDIVIDUAL MEMBERS SPRING MEETING (Canterbury -  5^th  June 2007).  An encouraging opening to the Members 2007 season with 55 teeing–off at the Spring meeting, the first of the three events programmed. With well over half the field picking up points at each of the front nine holes, some close competition and good scoring was in prospect in the full handicap Stableford format, and so it proved as the points rolled in and only two points separated the best five scores with the usual count-backs. Graham Lane (Royal St.George’s - Permit Holders) took first prize with 40 points off 12 H/c, one better than Keith Bailey (Sittingbourne) who had a count-back for second place over Birchwood’s Steve Deacon.  Geoff Westlake (Rochester & Cobham) and Alastair Rafael, playing off 3 H/c at his home Club, just missed out on 38. In the afternoon Foursomes Lane figured again with partner Jeff Paris, to clock up a first prize 41 points, a clear margin over Brian Elliott & Michael Adams (Rochester & Cobham), the two Graham’s Walker & Thomas (Sittingbourne) and David Honnor (Wrotham Heath) & Peter Gregory (Lamberhurst) on 37 points. Four other pairs finished on 36.

Results:

Singles

G. Lane 40,  K. Bailey 39 on C/b over S. Deacon 39

Foursomes

G. Lane & J. Parris 41, B. Elliott and M. Adams 37 on C/b over G. Walker & G. Thomas 37 

The County’s appreciations to Canterbury Golf Club and Staff, and thanks to Club Captain Stuart White for presenting the prizes.

KENT COLTS v SUSSEX (Knole Park – 20^th May 2007) Last year’s League winners showed up in strong form and had picked up a two points lead in the morning foursomes to put the home side under pressure for the afternoon. Kent’s morning point came via halves from Liam Burns & Danny O’Reilly and Bill Britton & Damien Turner against Tom Coulson & Chris Cannon and Ben Newsome & Daniel Casey, Sussex claiming the last games when A. Richardson & Sam Cowley and Peter Tarver–Jones & Jack Bartlett beat Rob Clark & Danny Jones 4&3 and George Kensell & Michael Hamilton by 3&1 respectively. Taking the first of the singles 5&3, Tarver-Jones put out Burns and Kent smelt trouble when Turner fell 6&4 to Coulson.  O’Reilly and Clark briefly lifted the gloom, beating Richardson and Newsome 2&1 and 3&2, but Cowley’s 5&3 over Kensell made Sussex safe with 6 games. Britton’s battle with Cannon (sounds like a war game!) to win at the last was a ray of hope and although Hamilton produced with 2&1 after a struggle with Bartlett, an off-form Jones suffered against Casey in another 4&3 verdict.

Result:  Kent 5 (1, 4)    -    Sussex  7 (3, 4)

Kent may have been fortunate with morning halves, both pairs having been dormie down, but halves can go either way and Kensell & Hamilton did well to recover from 4 down after 9, only to lose at the 17th to an eagle. Despite eventually sharing the afternoon, Sussex had at least gained their points ‘in the country’.

IMS Membership Record?

Well over 100 Club Members together with many past Members, some travelling a considerable distance, recently gathered at Eltham Warren Golf Club to pay tribute to 93 years old Club President Frank Seeley (pictured below) on achieving 60 years of continuous IMS Membership at the Club. 

Born in 1914 in Dalton-in-Furness in the Lake District, Frank set out on a career in mechanical engineering gaining wide manufacturing experience and eventually obtaining his degree which led him into service with the Ministry of Defence during the war. 

Married in 1942, he settled in Eltham where he caught the golf bug and joined Eltham Warren in 1947. 

He became Club Captain in 1959 and again in 1974 such was his popularity, and in 1981 was elected Club President. He has held a 5 handicap and has frequented the various honours boards.

His wife Joan joined the Club two years after Frank ‘to avoid becoming a 'golf widow ’, became addicted, was made Lady Captain in 1956, and remains a member.

On behalf of the Club Members, Frank was presented with a suitably engraved Decanter by the Club Captain Nick Morrison, whilst Joan received the customary floral tribute.

Apart from Frank’s stalwart service that in itself could be a record, it is unlikely that a combined husband and wife IMS Membership of 118 years could be approached. Our congratulations to both Frank and Joan.

KENT v SURREY (Effingham – 13^th May 2007). Last year Surrey lost out to Kent despite holding a healthy lead after the morning’s play in the opening League match at Sundridge Park.  This year, Surrey gained revenge in a tense match producing six last hole decisions and a result that could have gone either way in both morning and afternoon sessions. Although ending with only one point of separation, Surrey in fact took the Match points after 9 games played. Past and Current County Champions Lloyd Campbell & Mike Bush opened the Kent sheet with a 2&1 over Ryan Harrison & Simon Crockett, and the ‘ancient and the modern’ partnership of Danny Curtis & Bill Britton surprised with a rapid 3 hole lead over the very experienced Mark Booker & Rupert Rea but sadly for Kent the Surrey pair recovered to produce a half.  James Smith & Club-mate Liam Burns came under a 4&3 hammer from Alex Christie & Andy Inglis to level the score, and Jason Barnes & Danny O’Reilly lost out to Tim Chatfield & Andrew Cooley on the 18th in the second of the games later to prove significant in the match. A below-par Curtis, stepping in for a late withdrawal, was soon 4 down to Harrison eventually to lose 3&1, and Britton similarly 4 down after 9 against Booker, made excellent recovery to 1 up with 3 to play but sadly a couple of errant shots led to his demise and Booker at 2&1 moved Surrey on.  Bush also suffering a deficit of 3 after 9 against Cooley, picked up 16 & 17 for a halving chance at the last but Cooley held his ground leaving Surrey a point from home. Campbell awakened Kent with 3&2 over Chatfield leaving O’Reilly to keep the Visitors alive if he could pip Crocket, but after giving his lot he fell at the last.  With the match over, Kent took the last three games to lessen the deficit, Barnes from Christie by 3&2 and Smith and Burns with one holes over Inglis and Rea.

Result:    Kent  5 ½ (1 ½, 4)   -   Surrey  6 ½ (2 ½, 4),    

MEMBERS  SENIORS  MEETING (Cherry Lodge – 9^th May 2007). Despite a dismal weather forecast and the likelihood of a day under the brolly, it was ‘all present and correct’ for a good field of 66 entering the 17th.of the ‘Over 50’s series for the Darkins Trophy. As in previous years, the popular Stableford format for the morning Trophy Singles followed by the Foursomes again produced close competition with some good scoring and tension was maintained to the end with the morning winner coming in the penultimate game and with count-backs involved in both sessions. On 39 points, Jim Pocknell (Gillingham) added his name to the Trophy, bettering Ron Broadley (Walmer & Kingsdown) by one, with Colin Houghton (Canterbury) on 37 points getting a count back decision from a group including Terry Mitchell (King’s Hill), Peter Marsh and Howard Comber (Rochester & Cobham) and Pat Donaghey (West Kent). The day’s prizes were well distributed with none of the singles winners featuring in the foursomes. Brian Wilson (Rochester & Cobham) & Keith Andrews (Sundridge Park) on 36 points finished 2 clear of Gerald Staines & John Gurr (Hemsted Forest), Bob Broom & Ian Herrington (Chislehurst) and David Honnor (Wrotham Heath) & Peter Gregory (Lamberhurst), the last pairings taking second and third respectively on count-back.

Jim Pocknell receiving the Darkins Trophy from Cheery Lodge Captain, David Burgess

KENT MID AGE CHAMPIONSHIP  Having achieved the ‘Hat-trick’ in 2003, Kent first team member Danny Curtis (Knole Park) won the Trophy for the 4^th time at the Championship played at Bearsted on the 26^th April with a field of 65. In a sudden death play-off with Mel Goodin (Chart Hills), Richard Davies (Canterbury) and home player Phil Judge with 36 hole totals of 149, Curtis quickly drew the curtains on the contest with a birdie at the very first replayed hole having dropped his tee shot in ‘gimme’ country at the par 3 first hole. Joint leaders of the first round on four over par 73 were Galbraith and Robert Randall (King’s Hill) with Club mate John Crabtree one away. Goodin and Mark Farbrace (Sene Valley) followed on 75 with Curtis, Davies, Robin Young (Chestfield), Shaun Barker (Mid Kent) and David Jenner (Bearsted) bunched on 76. After lunch Curtis and Davies broke away from the bunch with 73’s to lead the board on 149 to be joined by Goodin adding a 74, whilst Galbraith slipped on 77.  A 72 from Terry Crawley (London Club) moved him up the list but hiccups in the back nine of his opening 78 had left him too much to do. Randall dropped out of the reckoning with 78, including an eagle at the 10th, and Crabtree suffered a mix of bogies and doubles for 83. With the best of the day 71 after a 78 start, Phil Judge (Bearsted) joined the leaders and despite 73’s, Jason Morris (Rochester & Cobham) and David Blair (Sundridge Park) had started too far down to impress. Good performance by Judge albeit on his home course also taking 1st nett off 4 h/c on 141.         

Results:  D. Curtis 149 (on play-off); runner-up P. Judge 149 on c/b over R. Davies.

Prizes kindly presented by Club Captain Adrian Foster. The Kent Committee are grateful to Bearsted Golf Club and IMS Membership for the hospitality afforded the County, and appreciated the presence throughout the day of both Club President and Captain.

Rider  Once again the Recorders attention was drawn to a scoring discrepancy where in this instance, defending champion Bruce Galbraith (Mid Kent) had signed for a correct total but with an incorrect hole score which cost him the first round lead. Unfortunately the failure of players to check individual hole scores with their marker before submitting cards is frequent and can be costly. Although taking an adverse decision in good grace, Goodin must have felt disappointment in not being declared the outright winner when his score with a ball dropped in expected relief in the afternoon could not be accepted.

Mid Age Champion Danny Curtis receiving the Cup from Eric Green (Past President) who first presented it in 1994

KENT COLTS v KENT LADIES (Littlestone – 22^nd April). In their last Friendly before opening against Sussex in the South East League on the 20^th May, the Colts met with some strong opposition from a well balanced Ladies side to provide a good test and perhaps a warning against overconfidence in giving the opponents the customary two holes start. Openers Tom Beaumont & Bill(y) Britton failed to make any impression on Kent Ladies Champion Helen Batt & Danielle Gibb and received a 5&4 drubbing. George Kensell & Michael Hamilton fared better to finish 2&1 against Sarah Tyson & Sian Evans and Jonathan Bell & Alex Swainsbury set the Colts ahead beating Anne Wheble and ‘rookie’ Amanda Johnston 3&1. However, Kim Morris returning to battle the Colts after a long stand-off, and partner Charlotte Hope set Danny Jones & Luke Jennings back 4&3 to level the morning 2 all. Recovering the two hole deficit after 9 Britton beat Batt 3&2, but Bell was always under pressure from Tyson who tidied up at the 16th.  Swainsbury disposed of the formidable Wheble 3&1 but after Gibb laid 2&1 on Beaumont, Kensell found Morris still on her morning form and dropped 5&4. With Jones and Hamilton slipping to halve with Hope and Evans, all rested on the last game and sneaked by Johnston at the 18th, it was ‘Ladies Day’.

Result:  Colts 5 (2, 3) -  Ladies 7 (2, 5)

In the Colts v Ladies series at Littlestone, the Colts have failed to recognise the importance of hitting the fairway, and finding the rough has proved a distinct penalty against the Ladies straight tee-ing and accurate short game. Too often the big wood has let them down.

Peter McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath GC 18th/19th April 2007

THE BOYS MEDAL (Royal Blackheath – 11^th April 2007). After an incredible 8 under par 63 to set a new course record for his Club Rochester & Cobham, Matthew Haines now playing off +3 handicap, successfully defended his Blackheath Boys Medal to take the prize for the third successive time. Last achieved by Eren Behcet in 2000, Haines is only the fourth to reach the ‘mile stone’ in the Medal’s 117th playing. Instituted in 1847, it is reputably the World’s oldest Medal. Jack Aldridge (London Club) topped the first round at one under par 69, followed by Jonathan Bell (Royal Blackheath) and Matt Haines on 70’s. Casey Rossiter-Legg (Rochester & Cobham) followed on 72 with Stephen Mallard (King’s Hill), Darren Timms (Mid Kent) and Joe Forde (Chislehurst) all on 73.  Bell did well in the Watson and was no doubt fancied on his home Course.  As Aldridge lost his place in the second round with a 76, Bell and Haines took control, Bell to close with 73 and Haines to repeat his opening 70 to take the Medal a third time. Another 73 from Timms gave him third place as Mallard and Forde slipped. Although primarily a Gross competition, Nett prizes promote interest among the higher handicaps and Dean Bower (Langley Park) 164 pipped Lee Gedden (Royal Blackheath) on the afternoon count-back. The Professional’s Prize for the best gross from the under-14’s went to Matthew Sheehan (London Club) for rounds of 81 and 83. Oliver Nelson (Cherry Lodge) playing off 13 H/c will be proud of his Hole-in-one at the 12. In a Field of 90 the youngest, 12 year old Max White (West Kent) grossed 92 and 92 off 20 H/c. With some good scoring this competition usually sees many  begin their slide down the handicap grade.

Results: -

M.Haines 140 (70/70); J.Bell 143 (70/73); J.Aldridge 145 (69/76); D.Timms !46 (73/73)

Nett – D.Bower 164 on C/b over L.Gedden.

Presentations by Royal Blackheath Club Captain Richard Williams.  

EAST KENT CUBS CHAMPIONSHIP (Romney Warren GC – Wednesday 11^th April 2007) On a glorious wind free day at Romney Warren a record field of 40 players from 24 different clubs assembled for the East Kent Cubs Championship. Scoring was particularly good in the U13 event with strong performances from Kent U13 players Max Orrin off 5, Jake Spearpoint and Freddie Price both off 8. The event was won for the first time however by Royal Cinque Ports 6 handicapper Patrick Horsting whose 72 was enough to knock North Foreland's Max Orrin into second place on count back. Horsting's score is even more remarkable considering a quadruple bogey 8 on the first but he recovered to shoot a 37 on the front nine returning in an impressive 35 to take the title. In the U10's event the title went to Canterbury's Sam Britton who coasted to a victory 5 shots clear of nearest challenger Jonathan Gerrish of Shooters Hill with Etchinghills Matthew Sutton running in third with a 91. The overall handicap prize was won by North Foreland's Danny Thomas with a nett 54 and this will surely result in some sharp handicap reductions on the part of North Foreland’s handicap secretary. Thomas' nett 54 was matched by Faversham's George Childs and North Foreland's George Walton secured third place one shot behind. The Championship also include a 14 hole event for high handicappers and this was one by Harvey Byers of Shortlands with a gross 77. Youngest competitor of the day was Joshua Eede of Mid Kent at just 5 years old who returned a creditable 109 and was rewarded with a special prize for his efforts. Thanks as always to Romney Warren for their continued support of this event and also to the catering staff at Littlestone who provided meals at a time when the Kent Ladies Championship was being held at Littlestone and a Veterans match being held at Romney Warren.

The Winners with County President, Ian Burton, and Region 6 Organiser, Denis Pike

Line up of the Competitors at the 2007 East Kent Cubs Championship

Watson Trophy winner 2007 Michael Bush with Dartford Club Captain Bernard Wright

WATSON TROPHY (Dartford – April 1  2007) With two birdies cancelled out by bogies, Kent’s Mid-Age Champion Bruce Galbraith (Mid Kent) was the only player to par the front nine 34 to take a one shot lead over Joe Forde (Chislehurst), Matt Gibson (Redlibbets), Bruce Hilsdon (Littlestone) and past champion Jason Williams (Eltham Warren), in the 22nd of the Series.  Jason Barnes (Chart Hills), Jonathan Bell (Royal Blackheath), Andrew Shannon (Braeside) and defending Champion Michael Bush (Rochester & Cobham) and past Amateur Champion Lloyd Godwin (West Malling) threatened on 36, but all had failed at the 4^th that proved a bogie hole to 36 of the 52 Field! On the run-in, double bogies cost Galbraith, Forde, Gibson, Godwin and Hilsdon (a treble at the 18th), and a zig-zag 4 over par run-in by Williams contrasted a 9 fours from Bell for a one over par and 72 total. In the final game, a bogie from Barnes at the turn and the 15th put Bush 2up, but dropping a bogie at the 16th, Bush was back to one and the pressure was on, both noting Bell’s gross. With 4’s at the 17th Barnes needed a birdie hopefully to force Bush into a play-off should he only par. Driving the green, Barnes was left with a longish put for eagle whilst Bush centred the fairway just off the front of the green from where a chip left his putt dead. Shaving the hole, Barnes could only settle for the birdie and second place to inch out Kent Junior Bell. A closing 37 was enough to give Shannon best nett. An exciting finish to close yet another successful and prestigious competition. 

 Result:  M. Bush 71; J. Barnes 72 on c/b over J. Bell, A. Shannon 73 (68 Net)

KENT COLTS v SUNDRIDGE PARK (31^st March 2007). In April 2005 the Colts ‘came in from a spell in the cold’ to beat the Club 9 – 6. However, it was back to the drawing-board last year when they received a severe reprimand for their audacity with an 11 – 4 drubbing. Whilst they did offer a better showing this year Sundridge, with a team at Perman Shield level in strength and experience, continues to dominate the Series and this is more apparent when the Colts are missing key players while Sundridge will always have strong replacements to offer. Ben Driver & George Kensell, knew they drew the short straw in opening against the Club’s strongest pairing of Dan Dring & Liam Burns and lost out 4/2. However, Rob Clark & Sam Shearer levelled up with a win over Steve Wright & Joe Haden by the same margin but Joe Haden & David Deeble set the Club back in front in a close game with Danny Jones & Rudi l’Anson finishing at the 17th. In the last game, Juniors Michael Hamilton & Ed Cannons did well to hold Tom Beaumont and ex -Pro Mark Lawrence to a draw. In the singles, Dring, Burns and Lawrence comfortably added to the Club tally at the expense of Clark, Driver and Shearer before a storming 5&4 from Kensell over Deeble and a one-hole from Hamilton over Holmes and a half from Cannons against Haden perked the Colts, albeit too late in the day. A dispirited l’Anson was overwhelmed 7&5 by Beaumont.

Result:      Sundridge Park 7 ½  -  Colts 4 ½.         

The Colts face another formidable challenge in the last friendly on their way to the League opening when they face Kent Ladies later in the month.

SENIORS TRIAL (North Foreland – 29^th March 2007) A past English Speedway champion, David Jessup Snr. (Rochester & Cobham) led the Field of 31 at the turn, two under par and two ahead of John Moir (Tenterden) and George Pook (Eltham Warren) both on 36, with Peter Cowell (Rochester & Cobham), Robin Young (Chestfield) and England Senior’s Chris Reynolds (Littlestone) champing at the bit with 37’s. Running home in 2 under par 33 for a 70 total thanks to an eagle at the 16th, Cowell pipped Jessup on count-back as his Club-mate bogied the 17th and 18th.for the same total. Jessup will have to ‘get on his bike’. With a 36 in, Reynolds moved up the board and Young stole a count-back over Moir at 75. Pooke sadly lost touch with 5 bogies and a double.

Result: P. Cowell - 70 on c/b over D. Jessup; C. Reynolds - 73; R. Young - 75

KENT v MIDDLESEX (Fulwell – 18^th March 2007) Kent’s 2006 Amateur finalists Mike Bush & Danny O’Reilly got Kent off to a good start in their opening Friendly, beating England squad players Luke Goddard & Andrew Johnson 4&3.  Followed by Jason Barnes & Ricky Neil-Jones with a hefty 5&3 over Tommy King & David Ginn and then Liam Burns & Danny Dalton beating Tim Owers & Nic Davis 3&1, Kent were looking for a 4-nil score line at lunch.  However Lloyd Godwin & Ken Will fell 3&1 to Matt Pegg & Paul Kirchner for the Home side’s first point. In the singles Will had no answer to Johnson, losing out 5&4, and Neil-Jones fell 2&1 to Ginn having recovered from a 5 hole deficit. O’Reilly forcing a ‘one-holer’ from Goddard with a superb putt at the 18th, albeit having lost a 4 hole lead, and Burns taking King 4&3 put Kent back in charge, and halves from Bush and stand-in Dalton settled matters.  Barnes 3&2 and Godwin 2&1 over Kirchner and Pegg added to the Middlesex woes. An encouraging Kent performance which will no doubt aid the Selectors consideration of players for the next Friendly against Essex.  With a third friendly scheduled against Suffolk later in the month, the Selectors could be ‘spoilt for choice,’ depending on player availability. In any event, Kent are forming a good team basis.

Result:   Kent 8 (3 + 5) - Middlesex  4 (1 + 3)  

KENT JUNIORS v ROCHESTER & COBHAM (11^th March 2007). Hoping to continue their success over the Club for the third consecutive year, Kent were thwarted by a very strong home side that featured not only the current and a past Amateur Champion, but a past Scratch winner and also a winner of the Watson Trophy. Nonetheless, the Boy’s efforts were commendable in containing their opponents in a close match with no ‘annihilations’. The Club registered its first win as David Jessup Jnr. beat Sam Shearer and then added a win by Jason Morris over Michael Hamilton, both by 3/2. The next two games proved critical and could have evened matters. However, with Duncan Pike holding dormy 4 over past champion Lloyd Campbell only to drop the last four, and Billy Britton doing well to hold current champion Michael Bush for a half, the Boy’s needed points. Jessup Sen. added gloom ending Jonathon Bell’s gallant attempt at the 17th. but with 3 to play and all required in this 8 a-side match, Tom Wilson showed form in beating Bob Florence 4/3 and Ed Cannons was raising hopes being one up with 2 to play over Damien Turner.  However, Turner turned the tables to force a one hole win and a Club victory while George Kensell battled with Howard Duffin for the last Kent point.

Good performances and pointers no doubt for the Boy’s selectors.    

ROYAL BLACKHEATH v KENT COLTS (4^th March 2007). In this annual foursomes friendly, the host Club faced a strong side intent on establishing selection and pairings for the forthcoming League, and having an appreciable advantage in handicaps. Nevertheless, the morning produced one game squaring at the 18^th, another ending at 17 and only one ‘in the country’ to leave the Club trailing 4 ½ - 1 ½ at lunch. Opportunity was taken by both sides to juggle pairings for the afternoon but with rain setting in on a Course now becoming water-logged from the previous rains, the contest was contained to nine holes ending 4 - 1 in the Visitors favour. PY Gerbeau/Sean Gregan and Andy McDermot/Jack Read scored for the Club.

Result: Royal Blackheath 1 ½ - Colts 8 ½.

Teams: -

Royal Blackheath: P Y Gerbeau, Sean Gregan, Andy McDermott, Read, Yogesh Jalli, Jonathan Forsyth, Dingle Clark, Martin Savage, Ben Williams, Jonathan Bell.

Colts: Tom Beaumont, Toby Morris, Liam Burns, George Kensall, Billy Britton, Ben Driver, Rob Clark,Damien Turner, Ed Cannons, Alex Swainsbury.

Appreciations to Royal Blackheath for the hospitality afforded and particularly to the Green Staff for their efforts on the course.

Eric  Green

Congratulations to Eric Green, recipient of this year’s Gerald Micklem Award.

Introduced in 1990 for annual presentation by the English Golf Union, the Citation for the Award is: -

‘’ Presented to a Person who has made an outstanding contribution to further the interest of  Amateur Golf in England ‘’

Among the earlier recipients, Club Members may recognise the names of  M.F.Bonallack, N.S. Hotchkin, P. McEvoy, A. Thirwell and W. Meredith.

In brief review, Eric joined Eltham Warren in 1957 and was elected Club Captain in 1972.

His service to the Kent County Golf Union began in 1979 where he held the office of President from 1983 to 1988. Elected to the English Golf Union Executive Committee in 1985, Eric has served as Chairman of the Finance Committee, on the Tournament Panel, the Championship and the Presidents Advisory Committee, and until recently on the EGU South East Committee.

The Award is a well deserved recognition for a contribution spanning 50 years in Amateur Golf for Club, County and Country.

COUNTY CARD SCHEME

With further Clubs from Surrey, Essex and Middlesex together with Gloucester and Wiltshire Counties now joining the Scheme for the first time, there are 442 Clubs co-operating in the scheme that is available to Individual Members of the reciprocal Clubs listed in the County Handbook. Members of those listed Clubs may become Individual Members by applying on the appropriate form obtainable from their Club or downloaded from the County website and forwarded to the County Secretary.

COLTS v LANGLEY PARK  on 25th February.  Kent Colts opened their season with the very well established annual friendly against Langley Park, fielding a strong side that dominated play in both foursomes and singles format. The opening pairing of Rob Clark & Danny O’Reilly was too strong for Peter Battle & John McCormack, as were Liam Burns & George Kensell against David Lennox & Jonathon Service, with both games going 6/5 to the Visitors. The respite afforded by the Home side’s James Smith & Gary Jordan in stopping Ben Driver & Alex Swainsbury 3/2 was short lived as the Junior pairing of Jonathon Bell & Michael Hamilton beat Kevin Walder and Oliver Foot by the same margin to give the Colts a 3-1 lead at lunch. After Foot pipped O’Reilly at the post in the opening singles, and Battle took Kensell for 5/4, it was a procession of Colt wins out in the wilds to add 6-2 to the morning tally.

                                  Result:  Kent Colts 9  -  Langley Park  3

The value of the series of friendlies leading up to the League games is not in the margin of the result, but in the experience gained by players in match-play, and the County Managers are grateful to the Clubs in hosting and presenting these opportunities.

REGIONAL JUNIORS on Thursday 15^th February. Privileged yet again to experience the course and the hospitality of Royal St. George’s for this year’s Inter-Regional Meeting, Region 4 took on Region 1 in an attempt to revenge their 6 ½ - 5 ½ games defeat in 2003, albeit that Region 4 had bettered on the Stableford count by 20 points. Although with fine sunny weather, the Course showed its teeth in a strong wind to test the Players but many showed a remarkable ability to cope. In the 12 a-side conflict Region 4 opened well, taking the first two games before Mark Hogan halved with Chubb Malony and Ollie Foot got his foot in against Jake Bushell to halt a Region 1 slide. However the resistance was short lived as Region 4 took the next four games to tie the knot, and followed with two further wins to raise their tally. All too late and academic, wins from Freddie Price and Jaz Hansra saved Region 1 from a greater deficit. There being no Stableford count, Region 4’s victory was conclusive.

                          Result:  Region 4 - 8 ½   -   Region 1 -  3 ½.

HINGE TROPHY FINAL (Royal St. George’s - 3^rd February 2007. The 40 entries that had survived the Qualifying rounds had the benefit of almost perfect weather conditions to produce some excellent opening scores and close competition for the final day of the Trials. Breaking par over the front nine Liam Burns (Sundridge Park) led on an immaculate 2 under 33, one up on Jason Barnes (Ashford) and Lloyd Godwin (West Malling). Junior Billy Britton (The London Club) threatened on 35, with Kenny Haynes (Ruxley Park) well in the hunt on 36. Past winner Chris Reynolds (Littlestone), Sittingbourne Club-mates Matt Williams & Peter Newman and Damien Turner (Rochester & Cobham) were joined by Juniors George Kensell (Knole Park) and Tom Wilson (Rochester & Cobham) all chasing on 37. A spate of 5’s held back past winner Danny Curtis (Knole Park). An inward 36 from Barnes for a winning 70 close gave him a count-back over Burns 37 who suffered a double bogie at the 14th, and with the best of the home runs 34 Wilson moved into 3rd spot on 71 as Godwin and Haynes slipped. Back nine pars of 35 brought Levi Johnson (Canterbury) and Ken Will (Knole Park) up the list as Britton found too many 5’s. Out of character, Curtis had logged 7 on the day. Ben Cooke’s (King’s Hill) 35 followed an untidy opening 41.

Results:  Gross  –   J.Barnes 70 on C/b over L.Burns;  T.Wilson  71;  L.Johnson  73.

                Nett   -  L.Burns  70 on C’b over  T.Wilson;  L.Johnson  71 on C/b over B.Cooke 

Left to right: Danny Curtis (past winner), Ian Burton (County President), Jason Barnes (Winner - Hinge Trophy 2007)

Hinge Trophy 2007 – Overall  Results

                                                  Gross                                      Nett

Princes

R.Cinque Pts.

Littlestone

R.St.Georges

Aggregate

The County wish to record an appreciation to Princes, Royal Cinque Ports, Littlestone and Royal St.George’s Golf Clubs for the support and facilities afforded the Kent Union over almost 40 years since the Series began in 1968.

HINGE TROPHY FINAL QUALIFIER (Littlestone 7^th January 2007). With only one entry from the field of 40 breaking par and just 4 others meeting par over the front nine, it appeared doubtful with the more difficult closing holes to come and play  predominantly into the wind, that anyone would beat the Course. So it proved to be as the leaders were unable to hold their places as some others made progress. Knole Park junior George Kensell out in 35, the only sub-par of the day, immediately suffered a triple bogie at the turn and collected too many 5’s for a 42 and 77 total. After opening pars of 36, Liam Burns (Sundridge Park) found two double bogies on the way home for 76;  Terry Gilbert (Knole Park), Club-mate Danny Curtis and Matt Gilmore (Royal Cinque Ports) all moved into the 40’s with Gilmore and Curtis both clocking ‘treble tremblers’ at the 18th. After 37’s, Neil Patterson (Mid Kent) and Alex Collins (Chart Hills) slipped with 41’s and Jordan Godwin with 42, and Juniors Rory Kirkham (Broome Park) and Ed Cannons (Walmer & Kingsdown) did well with 38 front nines but lost their way coming home Jason Barnes (Ashford) and Lee Hales (Sittingbourne) added 37 and 38 to their front nine 37’s to take the lead, and Royal Cinque Ports Lee McCaughan made a good recovery with the best back nine 36 after a wayward 41. Of the 50 entries, 40 including 13 Juniors go through to the Final at Royal St. George’s on the 3rd. February where past winners Curtis, Club-mate Ken Will and Chris Reynolds (Littlestone) will continue to challenge for the Trophy.

Results:    J.Barnes 75;   L.Hales 76 on C/b over L.Burns;   L.McCaughan 77.