On Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of July the Men’s Section members contested the annual competition for the title of Club Champion 2023. With golfers also seeking to secure the Frank Swann Cup for the best net score, 64 hopeful’s lined up on Saturday for the 1st round with the top 12 gross scores and 24 best net scores qualifying to play on day 2 when the trophies would be awarded. With the course in magnificent condition and strong winds, fast greens and very tricky pin positions scoring more than reflected the difficulty with the vast majority of the field struggling to play to their course handicaps.  A total of 41 golfers qualified for day 2 with a gross score of 85 and ties and a net score of 80 and ties being good enough.

Day 2 commenced with a 1st tee time of 12.24 with the chastened non qualifying Captain sending golfers on their way to glory buoyed by an enthusiastic crowd. Once again conditions were difficult with the wind making scoring very challenging. The final group and leaders set of at 2.08pm consisting of 8 time Club Champion the Legend that is Stuart Ridley, newcomer Adam Slade and surely future Club Champion Harrison Walker with his Dad and former future club Champion Tom “ fanny Sunesson Walker” providing wisdom on his bag. Once again as the weary golfers completed their rounds and gathered for a well earned drink it became clear from the mutterings that conditions remained very challenging with many struggling to repeat their efforts from Day 1.

With all rounds complete and the final scores recored the gathering throng were delighted to applaud the winner and Club Champion 2023  Andy Cottrill with excellent final round of 80 and a total score for the two days of 163. Similar congratulations go to surely a future Club Champion in Harrison Walker who secured the Frank Swann Trophy with an excellent net 145.

The full  prize results for the event were as follows:

 

Best Gross Rd 1 – Adam Slade 80                                                                Best Net Rd 1- Steve Young 70

Best Gross Rd 2- Steve Bond 84                                                                  Best Nett Rd 2 – Keith Gater 74

Frank Swann (Best Net competition)

Winner – Harrison Walker – 145

2nd – Andrew Witts – 147

3rd – Neil Cordiner – 149

4th – Mark New – 149

 

Club Championship

Winner – Andy Cottrill – 163

2nd – Steve Wood – 166

3rd – Ash Curnock – 167

4th – Andrew Barber – 167

Congratulations to all who took part and particularly to our Champion Golfer for 2023 Andy Cottrill