October 2016

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ANNIVERSARY

www.essexgolfer.com ESSEX GOLFER MAGAZINE – SERVING THE GOLFERS OF ESSEX SINCE 1996

Double Joy for Rob Coles Lands East Anglian Open and Order of Merit Crown

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ob Coles (Maylands Golf and Country Club) struck at the double – bagging the East Anglian Open at The Rayleigh Club and the 2016 Order of Merit title.

Coles, with many years’ experience on the European Tour, put together two high-class rounds at the Essex venue to win by three shots from Chase Davis (Marriott Sprowston Manor Hotel).

The 44-year-old’s win lifted him from third to first on the Weston Homes-sponsored Order of Merit as he narrowly edged out long-time leader Ian Campbell (Cheshunt Park).

Essex’s James Webber (Three Rivers Golf & Country Club) finished third in the overall standings and – like Coles and Campbell – will head to next month’s PGA Play-Offs showdown at Saunton where the elite professionals from all seven PGA regions will assemble.

But the final Order of Merit in the East was all about Coles, who led at the end of the first day thanks to a four-under 67. The Essex ace built on that in the second round, smoothly reaching eight-under-par with three to play.

However, at the par-4 16th he suffered his only serious setback over the two days, making a double bogey from the back of the green. That halved his lead from four to two before he settled the nerves with a fine birdie at the short 17th.

Coles easily negotiated the final hole to sign off with a seven-under-par total, leaving him as the top player in the PGA in England (East) for 2016.

He said: “It’s brilliant. I’d have been chuffed with top-three (on the Order of Merit), so I’m absolutely delighted to win it and follow really good names on the salver.”

“It’s been really nice to play with everyone this year – it has just been really good and I’ve enjoyed it a lot. The Order of Merit events have been great.”

‘Come and play the course everyone is talking about’

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P L E A S E N O T E : A L L T E E T i m E S m u S T b E b O O k E d i N A d vA N c E

coxtie Green Road, South Weald, brentwood, Essex cm14 5RJ

01277 375 101

Email: russell@brentwoodgolfclub.co.uk -3-

Web: www.brentwoodgolfclub.co.uk

Heavenly Heathland Golf

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ssex golfers seeking relief from wet Winter courses should head to the Suffolk Coast, where sandy soil and a mild climate make for a perfect golfing escape…

One of the downsides to being a member of a British golf club is the Winter season.

It’s likely you’ll spend several weekends a month trudging through mud, searching for plugged balls in the rough or worse; playing to temporary greens, with mud splashed slacks and saturated golf shoes being par for the course.

Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel, with its James Braid designed heathland course, stays firm, dry and fun to play all year round, offering excellent deals and packages for golf groups this Winter.

Parties of 12 golfers or more can enjoy 18holes of golf, with hot drinks and a bacon roll on arrival, and a one-course lunch for £34.99 per person.

A one-night break (dinner, B&B, and unlimited golf) staying in Thorpeness’ 36-bedroom hotel costs £95 and two nights (D/B&B, unlimited golf) is £179.

Groups of 12 or more, booking for a minimum one night stay, also receives £100 of credit to spend in the club’s pro-shop on prizes.

Thorpeness Winter golf packages available from November 2016 until March 2017.

For more information, visit: www.thorpeness.co.uk or call: 01728 452176

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7c Perry Road, Witham, Essex CM8 3UD Telephone: 01621 815 577 Email: info@essexgolfer.com

www.essexgolfer.com @EssexGolfer1 EDITOR Paul Haddow E

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WINTER Special

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18 holes of golf & Curry and Rice

£25

Basildon Golf Club

Monday to Friday Please call 01245 441 056 to reserve your tee time

ANNIVERSARY

www.essexgolfer.com ESSEX GOLFER MAGAZINE – SERVING THE GOLFERS OF ESSEX SINCE 1996

Essex Golfer Magazine is available free of charge both in print* or as a digital document. To receive your free copy apply online at www.essexgolfer.com or email us at info@essexgolfer.com.

*(ONLY AVAILABLE TO UK POSTCODES).

Channels, Belsteads Farm Lane Little Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 3PT

The opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers.

Copyright.

No part of this publication may be scanned, digitised, reproduced or photocopied, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted, in any way or means, either by recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publishers in writing.

Advertisements created by Essex Golfer remain the property of the company and may not be reproduced in any other publication without prior permission.

www.channelschelmsford.co.uk E: : info@channelschelmsford.co.uk

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COLCHESTER

F

irstly this advert was put to bed before the Ryder Cup was completed so I cannot comment other than to say if it was like the previous few it would have been well worth watching.

Being October we have now moved into Autumn/Winter mode with some great pieces from Ping, Adidas, Callaway, Underarmour, Oscar Jacobson, ProQuip and Daily Sports for the ladies. Within these we have some excellent layer pieces and winter trousers that keep you nice and warm for those cold days.

2 Items we have featured this month is the launch of the new Titleist 917 driver and the new ProQuip waterproof suit with a life time guarantee!

Both items have a FREE gift with them for the first few customers.

The Titleist Driver is the first real custom driver and will be made up by Titleist themselves once we have custom fitted in store.

With all the new technology in clothing it is still possible to play comfortably and warmly and we can help with that, so come and pay us a visit!

Phil *

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The New Titleist 917 Driver n First fully custom fitted driver n Fit for FREE on our launch monitor n First 5 customers to order one will receive a dozen PRO V1 golf balls, FREE (worth £40)

Proquip Suit n Life time guarantee n Different leg lengths n First 5 customers get a FREE Gortex bucket hat NEVADA BOB’S COLCHESTER 75 LONDON ROAD, COPFORD, COLCHESTER, ESSEX CO6 1LG TEL: 01206 212 752 EMAIL: info@nbcolchester.go-plus.net

COPFORD

Hours of Opening: Monday to Friday 9am to 6.30pm, Saturday 9am to 5.30pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Directions: Store is only 15 minutes from Chelmsford just before Colchester. Come up the A12, turn off at the A120 junction, keep right and go over the A12, take the 1st exit into London Road. Store is 1 mile down this road on the right hand side.

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COLCHESTER

A12

B408 J25

NEVADA BOB’S

MARKS TEY

EUROPEAN GOLF RESORTS

TTOP OP 100 KORINEUM

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NORTH CYPRUS has been a British playground for many years, offering the perfect haven for relaxation. It is loved for its slow pace of life and delightful village-like feel, offering glorious untouched bays with enchanting sights and the warmest welcome in the Mediterranean.

Golf is rapidly growing in North Cyprus, and no wonder. The excellent climate means that keen ggolfers can pplayy all year round. It is an ideal destination for the travelling golfer and is beginning to emerge as a draw for golfers across Europe.

It is the breathtaking location that sets this resort apart, in the midst of beautiful countryside, surrounded by umbrella pines and olive trees, between the impressive Five Finger mountains and the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean.

The Korineum Golf G and Beach Resort has high standarrds of accommodation, beautifully decorrated and furnished rooms, an attracctive outdoor pool and sumptuous spa facilities — in other words, the imprressive amenities are everything you would w expect from a top class resort complex. Golfers will be delighted at the t immaculately kept course and exceellent practice facilities.

Sitting on the terrace of the Clubber’s Lounge will add a whole new dimension to the 19th holee, taking in views of the stunning golff course framed by the setting sun over the mountains and turquoise Mediteerranean. Korineum Golf & Beach Reesort is within easy reach of the charming harbour of Kyrenia, framed by old Venetian V houses, bars and restaurants.

A peerfect setting for those in search oof peacce and tranquillity, leisurely rounds ds of goolf, or enjoyment of its extensive facilitties which include floodlit tennis courrts and a beach club.

7 Night N Holiday at 5+ Korineum m Goolf Holiday Resort including: 9 Return Flights w/FREE Carriagee of Golf Bag 9 20kg luggage + 8kg cabin bag 9 4 Rounds of Golf with guaranteed tee-times 9 Daily Breakfast & Evening Meals 9 Return local transfers 9 Representative in resort 9 NO Credit Card charges 9 Complimentary shuttle service to Kyrenia town

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Future Golfing Events & Competitions 06 Oct 2016

13 Oct 2016

15 Oct 2016

Rochford Hundred Golf Club – Inaugural over 65’s Green Course Open.

Singles Stableford, full handicap. AM Start 10.00 to 13.00 to include coffee, sandwiches and prizes after play. £25 per person. admin@rhgc.co.uk www.rhgc.co.uk Forrester Park Golf Club – FUN Ladies Charity Golf Day. Las Vegas Texas Scramble for 9 holes, Optional 9 holes Individual Stableford, optional Lunch only and cake tasting, nail wrapping, croquet and auction. Includes coffee/tea and lunch. £30 or lunch only £13.25.

Sue Sandle: 01621 868011 suenorman2000@mail.com www.forrester-park.co.uk Thorndon Park Golf Club – Senior Pairs Open.

Coffee and Bacon Sandwich on arrival, refreshments at halfway house, two course carvery buffet. £90 per pair.

James Fuller: 01277 810345 office@thorndonpark.com www.thorndonparkgolfclub.com

Attention! Club Secretaries and Competition Organisers: Please forward any info on Future Open Competitions, Golf related Events or Charity days at Essex Golf Clubs to info@essexgolfer.com.Visit our live up to date events page at www.essexgolfer.com

WHY ADVERTISE IN

MAGAZINE? Over 4000 digital and postal subscribers every month.

Essex Golfer Magazine is distributed to over 80 Golf Clubs plus Golf Shops and Driving Ranges in Essex.

First published in 1996. Essex Golfer Magazine is very well established and has been serving the golfers of Essex for over 20 years.

ADVERTISE FOR AS LITTLE AS £20 PER WEEK To book your advertisement or for futher information please call 01621 815577 or alternatively email info@essexgolfer.com

www.essexgolfer.com - 10 -

Win nter Colleection Avvailable il bl ffro om 1 November N b 2016 to to 31 March M h 2017

4 Ball Offer

£160.00 Mon-Thur / £200.00 Fri-Sun F To include 1 course lunch (To be reser ved in advancce)

Golf & Acco ommodation

£99.00pp Mon-Th hur / £130.00pp Fri-Sun Overnight accommo odation for 2 people sharing a standard twin or d double room Includes: Breakfast, 2 rounds of golf and d 2 course bar b menu dinner

Contact Mark M on:

T: 013004 611118 E: officce@pr incesgolfcllub.co.uk W: www.pr . incesgolfclub.co.uk Prince’s Go olf Club, Sandwich Bay, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9QB

/princesgolfclub ncesgolfclub

@Princesgolfclub

Burstead Ladies Left to Right; Helen Williams, Tracyann Pumfrey, Paula Davies, Shirley Randall (Bronze Team Captain), Lorna Jones, Elaine Osborne and Lynne Southgate.

T

he Burstead Golf Club’s Ladies travelled to compete in the Essex Ladies Golf Union "Bronze Shield" final against Thorndon Park Golf Club. The weather was glorious despite the threat of some thundery showers which thankfully missed Romford on the day.

The Burstead lady golfers were Tricia Ainsbury, Lynne Southgate, Paula Davies, Lorna Jones, Elaine Osborne, Helen Williams and Tracyann Pumfrey and their caddies,

Sam Ainsbury, John Blackmore, Tiv Taylor, Harry Marchant, John Bowen, Kim Homes and Jennifer Willey.

Our Bronze Shield Captain, Shirley Randall, waited nervously at the halfway house at the end of the 10th green. The Burstead rose to the challenge coming out on top for the day to get the four wins they needed to become Bronze Shield Winners 2016 for the first time in their club’s history.

Jack is the Champion F

ive Lakes held their club championship over the weekend of 3rd and 4th September.

The championship is played on both the Links and Lakes courses, Saturday’s 18 holes played on the well-prepared Links course and saw some low scores, Dave Parkins (19) nett 70, Tom Arrowsmith (7) nett 69, Billy Coe (6) nett 69 and Ben Jewell (13) with an outstanding nett 66 putting him in great position for the final 18 holes on the championship Lakes course.

Ben Jewell Handicap Champion, Nigel Popper Club Captain and Jack Garnett Club Champion.

The Lakes course showed it’s teeth with the wind picking up through the day on the second 18 holes with the Course Standard Scratch moving up to 74 from the par 72.

Derek Monaghan (16) had a nett 75, Ben Jewell compounded his earlier score with nett 74, along with a previous club champion Mark Snoad (6) on the same score. However, a nett 72 for Dave Rogers (5) and a nett 71 from Jack Garnett (3) proved to be conclusive to sort out the final placings.

The Gross score Club Champion over the two days is Jack Garnett rounds of 76 and 74, 150, second, was Dave Rogers with 79 and 77, 156, 3rd place went to Mark Soad with 78 and 80, 158.

The Handicap club champion is Ben Jewell with nett scores of 66 and 71, 137, second, was Neil Shinwell (9) with 71 and 73, 144, 3rd was Derek Monaghan (16) with nett scores of 74 and 72, 146.

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Winter Warmer

Ufford Park Woodbridge

Add a coffee & bacon bap for just £1 Coffee, Bacon Bap & 18 Holes of Golf £24* per person

Coffee & Bacon Bap, 18 Holes of Golf & One Course Bar Special £27* per person Standard Green Fees are: £23 per person - Mon - Thurs £31 per person - Fri - Sun

* £8 surcharge Friday - Sunday & Bank Holidays.

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply Available 1st November 2016 until 28th February 2017

t 0844 847 9405 (local rate) w www.uffordpark.co.uk

Yarmouth Road, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1QW

NOVEMBER

WINTER WARMER FREE BACON BAGUETTE WITH ALL PAY & PLAY GREEN FEES Adults: £15 | Seniors: £12

Monday - Friday before 12.00pm only.

Offer runs throughout November 2016.

belhusparkgolfclub.co.uk Impulse Leisure – Belhus Golf Club & Leisure Centre Belhus Park, South Ockendon, Essex RM15 4PX (01708) 854260

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THE GARY PIKE GOLF ACADEMY

Top teaching professional Gary Pike PGA.AP (advanced professional) invites you to his golf academy at Forrester Park Golf Club near Maldon. Gary has over 31 years of coaching experience and is a David Leadbetter trained instructor. He has published over 150 articles on the golf swing. Gary is coach to Walker Cup player Dale Whitnell and was the Essex County Senior Coach from 1998 to 2012 Contact the golf academy on 07801 428 174 or visit www.garypikegolf.com

DELIVERY PLANE I

f you have been following these articles over recent issues you by now will have a good understanding of how the swing plane is very important to the well-being of the swing and how it effects the direction and contact with the ball. In this final piece of the swing plane series, it all comes down to this the delivery plane.

The delivery plane is the point when the club shaft reaches parallel with the ground on its final approach to the ball. Picture 1.

From down the target line there are three major options firstly the club head is inside the plane Picture 2. This normally follows on from an under plane downswing. This is going to create an in to out swing path, associated with a draw ball flight if coupled with a closing clubface through impact.

Option 2 neutral Picture 3 where the club head is perfectly on plane, with a neutral clubface at impact will have very little swerve pattern on the ball, attempting to hit the ball

1

straight is probably the most difficult way to play as any incorrect clubface alignment will immediately send the ball in the wrong direction.

Our final option Picture 4 the club head is outside the plane, this club head is now going to swing across the ball causing slice spin with an open clubface or a straight pull if the clubface is squered to the path. I would suggest that this option is a bad one and option one for a club golfer is the best.

Why not find out how your plane is doing there are still a couple of spaces on my October golf day at Forrester Park on the 20th ÂŁ50 for the day including coaching am and golf pm, limited to 6 places.

Next issue the third area of the swing leverage, let’s hit the ball longer.

2

Have fun Gary

3

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4

2 MO NTH S TRI AL G O L F 7 day trial golf memberships available for only £125pp.

There’s never been a better time to come and join us!

And if you join during your trial we will give you £25 on your membership levy card to spend in the bar.

T&C’S – 2 months trial golf memberships available on 2 consecutive months between 1st Nov 2016 and 31st March 2017

Call Today 01376 346079 or Email clubmanager@braintreegolfclub.co.uk www.braintreegolfclub.co.uk

T&C’s apply

Autumn Special

18 Holes of Golf and Chef Special £25 Midweek £30 Weekend

GOLF • CLUB

Visitors Welcome Twilight from 1.00pm Monday - Friday £18 Saturday - Sunday£22

Contact pro shop for tee time reservations For further information on membership please contact Chris Nunn Director of Golf

01277 631 171

on chris.nunn@thebursteadgolfclub.com Tye Common Road, Little Burstead, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9SS info@thebursteadgolfclub.com

w w w. t h e b u r s t e a d g o l f c l u b . c o m - 15 -

Matt Stables is Head Coach of Four Shots Lower Academy at Rivenhall Oaks Golf Centre and A PGA Advanced Professional. Our Aim is to improve your scores by 4 shots over the next 12 months by giving you some simple proven techniques on all parts of your game to make a real difference to your game.

We will make a plan suited to you to and your current ability to improve your game and increase your confidence and fun you have on the course. www.MattStablesGolf.com

The fourth shot in ‘how we are going to go four shots lower’ is by Making Solid Contact. If you think about when you hit a bad shot on the course, the destructive shots are where you make bad contact either by hitting the toe or the heel or fat or thin shots.The good news is that if you can learn how to control your low point you will improve your contact which means much more fun on the course.

SHOT 4 - MAKE SOLID CONTACT Control the low point of the swing – The club moves on an arc and to make contact you need the bottom of that arc to happen after the ball. Start to notice where your club bottoms out and if it is before the ball or not touching the ground at all?

Practice brushing in front of the tee – Put a tee in the ground or use the tee in the mat at the driving range and work on trying to brush the ground in front of the tee. Start with a small swing and see how you progress.

Get the weight moving forward & keep the triangle of the arms – The key things to get the low point is to keep the triangle of your arms and to get your weight moving forward.

Once you start getting the low point in front of the ball it will transform your ball striking.

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HOW TO GET STARTED? BOOK A PLAYER ASSESSMENT FOR £25 If you want to get started and go 4 four shots lower I invite you to an initial 60 minute Player Assessment at a discounted rate of £25. During the assessment we will devise an improvement plan tailored to suit your individual requirements. By the end of your assessment you will understand which areas of your game you need to improve. Call 01376 510222 to book yours.

IT’S POSSIBLE!!

In this series of emails I hope I have made it reasonable to think that you could improve your game by 4 shots by improving 4 different areas of the game.

By improving your chipping to your landing spot, making a few better decisions on your course management, controlling the speed of your putts and making solid contact through controlling your low point: improving by 4 shots is possible and what I aim to do for all my clients.

A friendly welcome awaits you at

Gosfield Lake Golf Club BOOK NOW FOR YOUR E N D O F S E A S O N A W AY D AY Winter Societies 2016/17 Prices from £22 for brunch and golf Days tailor made to your requirements Choices available from coffee, bacon rolls, full English breakfast, and lunches 18 holes of golf

Winter Specials 2016/17 Brunch and Green Fee Lakes Course £20 Meadows Course £15

Twilight Golf Contact Pro shop for tee times and best prices

Membership Opportunities Quality Golf at Affordable Prices Contact Office for details

For further details please telephone:

Office 01787 474 747 Pro-Shop 01787 474 488 Email: gosfieldlakegc@btconnect.com Or visit our website: www.gosfield-lake-golf-club.co.uk Hall Drive, Gosfield, Halstead, Essex CO9 1SE

ion eti t om p eC Pr iz

DOES THIS GREAT ESSEX GOLF HOLE

look familiar?

Name the course and hole to have the chance of winning COLCHESTER A FOURBALL ON THE MYSTERY COURSE 12 SRIXON ULTI SOFT GOLF BALLS, courtesy of plus 2 of each VEGAS BALL MARKERS, Golf Rules Quick Reference Book and the Trouble Shots and Quick Fix Guide Please email your answer to info@essexgolfer.com All correct answers will be entered into a draw for the prize Winner will be notified by email. Answer will be published next edition.

Only 1 entry per person. No cash equivalent.

ON ITI R T PE NE M O C WIN

Last month’s winner was Melanie Reading who recognised the 6th Hole at Benton Hall Golf Club.

To play at Benton Hall Golf Club Call 01376 502 454 www.bentonhall.co.uk

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18

beautiful holes of golf

Set in over 300 acres of undulating parkland, with stunning views of the Essex countryside.

Additional par 3 practice course

Societies welcome (Monday - Friday)

Limited membership available

Channels, Pratts Farm Lane East Little Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 3PT T: 01245 440 005 E: info@channelsce.co.uk

www.cliffordsestate.co.uk - 19 -

Custom Fitting T

here is no doubt that your golf swing is the major determining factor as to where your golf ball goes, however, if the club that you are using doesn’t perform for your swing then you are making the hardest game in the world even harder.

Custom fitting has been around for decades, but with the introduction of Trackman, Flightcope and now GC2, our abilities as fitters has increased greatly. The new technologies have allowed us to finally understand what happens during the swing and most importantly at impact.

Golfers commonly ask, “what shaft is going to suit me? Am I regular or stiff flex?” Well it’s slightly more complicated than that.

No two club manufacturers have the same specifications of shaft flex, therefore no industry standard. So to know which flex you are, you will need a custom fit.

Flex of shaft is only one of many aspects of the club that we can change. Torque, which is the rotation of the shaft, heavily influences the ball flight along changing the feel of the club. Shaft weight influences club head speed and therefore distance and club head design can completely change how a player performs due to MOI and the effective hitting area, not to mention the lie of the club which heavily influences the direction of the golf ball but not strike contrary to common belief and this is not an extensive list.

Rayleigh golf range’s simulator has been up and running for 3 months and in that time we have seen a 92% success rate, with the golfer seeming an improvement in either distance or dispersion.

Some golfers have seen an improvement of 30 yards on their driver and 25 on there irons, although 10-15 yard improvement with driver and 5-10 yards with irons are more like the average.

So to conclude, around 90% of where the golf ball goes is down to how good or bad your swing is, 10% is down to the clubs you use, let’s get that Centre Golf 01268 781 706 10% rig.

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Burnham-on-Crouch Golf Club Private Members Club for All Abilities No Temporary Tees – No Temporary Greens.

Are we the Driest Course in Essex?

WINTER MEMBERSHIP 30th 30th OCTOBER OCTOBER 2016 2016 UNTIL UNTIL 25th 25th MARCH MARCH 2017 2017

£250 GREEN FEE OFFER FOR OCTOBER - NOVEMBER

£76 PER FOURBALL

BU

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(Please quote EGM06 when booking)

M HA

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IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A MEMBERS GOLF CLUB IN A TRANQUIL SETTING LOOK NO FURTHER

*For further information call 01621 782 Visit www.burnhamgolfclub.co.uk

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282

Lee Porter, the PGA Professional attached to Hylands Golf Complex in Chelmsford, has been voted Clubmaker of the Year by the Golf Clubmakers Association in the UK. Lee now ranks in the top ten custom-fit clubmakers throughout Europe.

No wonder he counts 8 touring golf pros as customers, including the ever popular local Pro, Robbie Coles.

B E W A ROfE ns Of

ons po W ap Weea n o i t n c o i u t r c t u s r e t D s s e s D a M Mass 2

016 is certainly the year of adjustable technology with many companies offering more options than ever on the driver and more adjustability on both fairway woods and hybrids. Although these options are great they are certainly not the answer to a golfer’s prayers. In fact I think adjustable clubs are actually one of the best but most misunderstood technologies available.

Unfortunately, a couple of clicks with a wrench will not turn your 40 yard slice in to a 2 yard draw - that would be a miracle! Adjustment does make a difference but nowhere near as much as we are led to believe. Often adjustment only makes a few yards of difference.

If we were to roll back around 30 years it would be common place for a golfer to visit a club maker and have a persimmon wood made to their specification.This would include loft, face angle and weight. From this a wooden head would be formed to suit the golfer perfectly. Once finished, changes were possible but a lot of work. Golfer’s even had the opportunity to choose the colour of their choice.

SOUND FAMILIAR? Well, that’s because that’s pretty much where we are currently - we can now adjust loft, face angle, weight and even choose the colour.

Wow - we’ve gone back to the 70’s!

In all honesty it’s a good thing, having more options to suit the golfer should surely lead to better golf - right? In my opinion the problem is

around three inches tall and about two inches wide and answers to the name of ‘The Key’.

Changing a persimmon wood took time and skill to make any alteration, now it takes about a minute - and that’s a problem because golfer’s are now constantly ‘fiddling’. Having observed players on the driving range unwrapping their new weapons of mass destruction it seems evident to me that the most common first move is to crank all the loft off the club.

But surely, if that’s what was needed you would have bought a less lofted club?

Problem is with taking the loft off the club you open the face - and for most people that’s a ‘Fore Right!’.

So my best advice here is to think of the club as a wooden head, once it’s set up correctly it stays there - if you’re not sure how to set it up correctly go see a professional.Then ask a loved one to hide ‘The Key’ and go play golf. At least this way if you bomb your golf ball into the trees you can be sure it was you and not a ‘notch too far’.

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HAVE YOU HEARD? Canons Brook Golf Club has changed ...

We have a new management team and new machinery, and a course that we are all so proud of, we want you to come and see for yourselves!

We are offering weekend rounds from 2pm for half price ... normally £25, now

£12.50

To book your tee time please contact our Pro shop; 01279 418357 or online www.canonsbrook.com - 23 -

British Open Putting Championship at Basildon Golf Course

I

t is three years since Colin Jenkins, and his team took over the golf course at Basildon.

The course has been completely re-energised and overhauled. This has resulted in a healthy uplift in visitor numbers and business in general.

One of the things Colin particularly wanted to do was to build a superb and very large putting green at Basildon. As the photographs show, the new putting green is indeed extensive and with its undulating slopes a real challenge for all concerned.

The exceptional putting green was in superb condition, especially bearing in mind that it was seeded just over 12 months ago.

The switchback layout covers three quarters of an acre and is on the site of the old clubhouse.

Incorporating the existing putting green, the championship challenge was laid out over 36 holes.

Brian Parker, who is 70 is a senior season ticket holder at Basildon, was the first player to record a hole-in-one at the event. His ace came on the seventh hole and crowned a thoroughly enjoyable day for Brian. He added: “I’m recovering from having had a stroke and find it difficult to play more than nine holes at present. This event has been so much fun, and I have greatly enjoyed it. It allows me to be competitive and involved in golf, even though I’m not able to play a full round at present. I hadn’t realised how tough some of the putts would be, as the undulations make picking the right line quite tricky. It was lots of fun, and I’m definitely going to enter next year.”

Despite the new sport of putting being gender neutral, there were a good number of ladies competing in the event. They had a great time, and one of the ladies made the following comment: “Today was the first time that I’ve had a proper putt on the putting green, as it has been

only recently opened in its full glory. I greatly enjoyed it and found it very rewarding and a great way to socialise with my friends, as well as to compete in a friendly manner.”

The event was won by Josh Tobin, who triumphed after a play-off involving the leading four players.

Colin Jenkins, a director of Basildon Golf Course and co-founder of British Putting, is delighted with how the event was received: “The battle in staging this event was twofold.

First, we had to get the course into the right condition. With a cold spring, we just didn’t get the sort of quality growth we needed, so our plans to open in the early summer had to be put back. Once we had the course in a suitable condition, we let the public play on it. The reactions were overwhelmingly positive, but as with most new things, they didn’t realise exactly what we were trying to achieve initially. We would obviously rather of had more people playing in the final, but with over 60 people putting in the finals and hundreds more in the weeks leading up to it, we are very pleased with the level of support we have got in our first year. Our greenkeeping team have been exceptional in their devotion to duty and in ensuring that all of the putting surfaces were in tip-top order.”

All competitors were asked to make a £1 contribution to the Golf Foundation with the total raised being over £150.

For more details, please phone us on 01268 533532 or visit: www.basildongolfcourse.com

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Girls East Region Trophy best four scores counting towards the trophy.

Each team consists of players in various handicap groups. Our team were:0-9 10-15 16-24 25-30 Left to right – Abbie, Claire, Hannah, Ellisha and Ashley.

Front – Millie.

Ashley Chalmers, Thorndon Park Claire Vaughan, Frinton and Ellisha Cox, Warley Park Abbie Webb and Millie Penfold, both from Thorpe Hall Hannah Kane, Little Channels

The team results were:Herts 154 Norfolk 143 Essex 138 Beds 135 Suffolk 127 Cambs & Hunts 121

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ix counties (Beds, Cambs & Hunts, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk) gathered with their teams of Junior Girls for the annual East Region Junior Trophy on Sunday 18th September. Our thanks go to Bawburgh Golf Club in Norfolk for hosting the event and to Nickie Clarke of Norfolk for all her organisation. The weather and the course were beautiful and all the girls enjoyed the day.

The team consists of six junior girls who each played an individual Stableford round with the

Congratulations to Herts for winning the trophy and a big well done to all our girls for coming third on a very testing course.

Congratulations to Abbie Webb for the best score of the day with 41 points and handicap cut.

Big Win for England’s U16 Boys E

ngland’s U16 boys have scored another big win in their autumn international series by defeating Scotland 17.5-7.5 at Rockliffe Hall Golf Club, Durham They have already beaten Wales 15-5 and will play Ireland early next month. Another win there will see them repeat last year’s record of three victories in these matches.

Team manager Nick Over described the boys’ latest result as a solid performance. The highlight of the match was Barclay Brown’s level par 72 in very difficult conditions on the opening day of the 54-hole match.

Two England players had 100% winning records in all three games: Michael Gilbert (Chelmsford, Essex), who was in England’s winning team at the Boys’ Home Internationals, and Hugo Kedzlie (Spalding, Lincolnshire).

In addition three England players were unbeaten: Barclay Brown (Hallamshire, Yorkshire), Dominic Clemons (Gog Magog, represents Hertfordshire) and Charlie Daughtrey (Rotherham,Yorkshire).

The other team members, who all contributed to the scoreline, were: James Cooper

(Cumberwell Park, Wiltshire), Matthew Freeman (Worksop, Nottinghamshire), Conor Gough (Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire), Callum Macfie (Lindrick,Yorkshire) and Tom Stagg (Salisbury & South Wilts, Wiltshire).

The match began with individual stroke play games which England won 7-3. This was followed by foursomes which England won 4-1, and by individual matchplay which England won 6.5-3.5.

Brown, Cooper, Daughtrey, Gilbert, Gough, Kedzlie, Macfie and Stagg will play Ireland at Castletown on October 8 and 9. www.englandgolf.org

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Warley Park Championship Family Duo

B

rother and Sister Ryan and Ellisha Cox Won both Men’s and Women’s Club Champions.

Ryan won Colts Club Championship, Men’s Mid-Week Club Championship and also the main Men’s Club Championship.

The third time he’s won the main one, His sister Ellisha won the Ladies Club Championship for the first time aged just 15.

In August 2016, Ryan started at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, New Mexico. He secured a full scholarship based on his golfing CV. He is part of an 8 man squad representing the college at tournaments throughout the USA. Last weekend, he qualified for the 5 man team (the only Freshman to do so) and travelled to Colorado, where the team came 3rd.

Woodford’s Captain Steve Gets One Over On Secretary Steve

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or the second year running, the Secretary’s team was surprisingly defeated in the annual match against the Captain’s squad at Woodford Golf Club last month (Sept) when Capt Steve Briggs got one over Secretary Steve Bland. The Captain won 5.5-3.5 with one point awarded for a win and a half point for a draw.

Most years so far in the 21st century, the Secretary’s side has prevailed, but Terry Chisholm, the 2015 skipper, turned the tables last year and Captain Briggs has followed suit.

As the rival leaders pick alternately from the list of members who volunteer to play, this should – but rarely does – produce an even contest. The Secretary’s chosen team won all years from 2005-10, the Captain in 2011; then the Secretary won 2012 to 2014 inclusive.

The Secretary’s lads lost the opening four matches and recovered only marginally. In the subsequent traditional bangers-and-mash dinner, burly builder John Beecroft set a new record in the sausage eating competition, downing 15 to

beat the record of 14 set by Ken Heaven in 2013. Beecroft felt rather queasy the next morning.

Results (Captain’s team names first): V Thompson beat A Murray 2up; S Briggs & P Evans beat S Bland & W Tyzack 2&1; N Rowe & D Jones bt T Steed & K Heaven 5&4; A Steed & P Gauci bt L Curtis & K Sullivan 2&1; K Williamson & M Rowley lost to J Beecroft & B Meggs 2&1; M Cutter & M Watkins lost to M Deeming & A Pickett 2up; S Ironside & H Captain Stephen Briggs.

Williams bt Z Alsanjak & J Mansfield 4&2; C Phillips & D Rowell halved with T Chisholm & P King; C Ball & A Weaver lost to S Clark & P Willett 3&2.

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The perfect place to practice If you hit two buckets of balls a week Have you considered our practice membership NEW TO LITTLE CHANNELS • Range Membership •

Hitchcock Trophy Final 2016

• £325 per year including VAT • • Unlimited range balls • • Use of putting green • • Use of chipping area • • Use of grass practice area • • Swipe card giving a 10% discount on food and drink •

Little Channels, Pratts Farm Lane West Little Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 3PR Please call Michelle 01245 441 056 Lucy Henshall receiving the Hitchcock Trophy from Philippa Deman, County President.

Email: michelle@channelsestate.co.uk For further information

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he final of the Hitchcock Trophy (for girls Under 18 with a handicap of 18.5 and above) was played at Orsett Golf Club and resulted in Lucy Henshall from Harwich & Dovercourt GC beating Beth Haslehurst from West Essex GC 1up.

www.channelsestate.co.uk - 29 -

Sarah Bennett Golf PGA Fellow Professional

Come and visit Sarah at Three Rivers Golf & Country Club and learn from a Ladies European Tour & PGA Fellow Professional. Sarah has over 20 years of experience in the industry, a former +4 hcp player, one of the lowest handicap’s achieved in the UK. Sarah was one of a select few British players to win the Moria Smyth Salver (low amateur Women’s British Open).

A certified TPI Junior L2 Fitness Instructor and Jim Hardy Plane Truth Certified Instructor Sarah coaches players new to the game, through to County and the Professional ranks. She is delighted to pass on her first-hand experience to guide and assist her clients with course management techniques incorporating the mental side with her specific qualification.

Individual and group lessons available with Sarah: 07719 617 349 W: sarahbennettgolf.co.uk E: SarahBennettGolf@gmail.com Why not sign up for my blog and newsletter? sarahbennettgolf.co.uk

Follow me on Facebook: SarahBennettGolf Twitter: @sbennettgolf

ARE YOU GUILTY? We have all heard of the most amazing golf tip ever, which cures EVERYTHING ...

“Keep your head down”

PHOTO BY: VICKY JONES THE LADY GOLFER

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his coaching “myth” has been around for many years so I certainly do not expect to stop this! However, please just read this article to understand why I feel this can be detrimental to your game.

For an effective swing I feel the body needs to move freely to deliver the club head in a smooth uninterrupted motion to the ball.

I liken the “head down” movement to applying the brakes required for an emergency stop, the resulting weight transfer is inhibited along with the forward arc of the swing. This combination actually promotes the “topped” shot as the body

Oh dear ...

and arms are unable to continue their journey freely.

One of the most important factors to bear in mind is the possible likelihood of an injury if the body is trying to turn forwards with the head very often stuck fast still focused at or behind the ball post impact….. ouch!

Just swing freely through the ball and let the body turn as the masterful John Jacobs likens the golf swing to “Two Turns and a swish” Now that is how we should play golf.

Happy Golfing

E: SarahBennettGolf@GMail.com W: SarahBennettGolf.co.uk T: @SBennettGolf FB: SarahBennettGolf

- 30 -

Sarah Bennett

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Newton’s Alice and Lily May Head for Portugal

Alice Barlow.

Lily May Humphreys.

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Yorkshire. She led the field by six shots and finished 15 under par.

This year she was also third in the European Young Masters, and plays off plus-three.

As part of the England girls’ eastern junior training scheme, which is led at Stoke-byNayland by professional, Rolly Hitchcock, she is now on his doorstep for additional advice.

Meanwhile, Barlow has stepped away from professional coaching in the last two years to work with her father, who is her caddy and plays off 12.

She qualifies for the trip to Portugal as a result of a four under par she carded in one of her four rounds in the England Girls’ Under 18 championships.

Since then, the current Suffolk ladies and junior champion has gone on to be the first winner of the England Girls’ County champion of champions title at Woodhall Spa, the headquarters of England Golf. She also finished fifth in the simultaneous national women’s title event played off the same card.

Barlow’s success on the Bracken course has also qualified her to play in the English Women’s Amateur Championships on the former Ryder Cup course of Lindrick, South Yorkshire, from July 18-19 next year.

wo young golfers who have both been hitting the headlines this year are now playing out of Newton Green.

Both Alice Barlow and Lily May Humphreys have qualified to be part of the field in the prestigious Telegraph BMW Junior Championships Final at Quinta do Lago, Portugal, at the start of November.

The event will be played on the remodelled North Course, which was named best European New Course in 2014.

Barlow, 17, has played at Newton since she was nine, and Humphreys has recently joined following a move by her family to the Sudbury area.

Humphreys, 14, is already an England junior international, and in a number of spectacular successes this year became the national girls’ under 16 champion.

She has moved to within a short distance of Newton from the Chelmsford area, where she is a member of Channels, which will continue to be her home club, and allow her to retain links with Essex golf.

Humphreys recently qualified for Portugal with a five under par score as one of her four, bogey free rounds in the North of England under 16 mixed stroke play championship at Pannels,

- 34 -

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Warley Park Golf Club, Magpie Lane, Little Warley, Essex, CM13 3DX www.warleyparkgc.co.uk - 35 -

get into golf

Parliamentarians Urged to Richard Shaw of Community Golf with Paul Scully MP for Sutton and Cheam.

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his week MPs and Peers were invited to Get into golf and to become champions for the grassroots game in their constituencies.

Golf was one of the sports showcased at the inaugural Parliamentary Sports Fair. It was organised by the Sport and Recreation Alliance as part of the #GetYourKitOn campaign, which urges continued investment in grassroots sport and recreation to create an active nation.

The All Party Parliamentary Golf Group encouraged decision-makers to have a go at golf, to find out about England Golf ’s Get into golf campaign and to learn about the health and wellbeing benefits of the game.

They were given a fun introduction to the sport by Community Golf, which offers opportunities for disadvantaged and disabled people to play golf in Surrey and parts of Sussex, Kent and London.

Richard Shaw, director and founder of Community Golf, said: “The day was fantastic and we had around 40 MPs and peers have a go at our stand! We were certainly one of the busiest stands, which is fantastic for our sport.”

Among those who had a go were Lord Archer and MPs Andrew Bingham (High Peak), Paul Scully (Sutton and Cheam) (pictured above with Richard Shaw), Caroline Flint (Don Valley) and Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry).

Parliamentarians also heard about the Get into golf campaign, run by England Golf and supported by Sky Sports, which inspires more people to play the game and enjoy a sociable sport with many health benefits.

According to the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the cost of health related conditions associated with inactivity, including obesity and diabetes, is costing the nation £7.4bn each year.

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Golf, the fifth mostplayed sport in England, has a tremendous reach across all backgrounds and abilities and can support the Government’s sports strategy to tackle inactivity.

In a 9-hole round golfers will walk two to three miles, take over 5000 steps and burn over 450 calories – all within a couple of Caroline Flint MP. hours. It’s a sociable sport and studies show it can help people live longer, reduce their stress levels, and improve their self-esteem.

England Golf Chief Executive Nick Pink said: “Golf makes a huge contribution to the Government’s agenda to promote an active and healthy lifestyle. We’re very pleased to have today’s opportunity to involve MPs and Peers and hope they will join us to spread the message about the health benefits of golf and attract many more people to enjoy our great game.”

Speaking after the event, Chair of the Parliamentary Golf Group and MP for Lincoln, Karl McCartney, said “I am delighted that Members of Parliament have had the opportunity to find out more about golf in their constituencies.

“Get into golf is a fantastic initiative to promote participation golf in communities across the UK, and we need to encourage Members of Parliament to learn more about the sport and its importance to the nation’s health and wellbeing.”

The Sports Fair also marked the launch of the Sports and Recreation Alliance’s Get Your Kit On – A Guide to Grassroots Sport and Recreation.

The guide is an online resource that is a hub of key information, contacts and resources to enable MPs to engage in Westminster debates as advocates for grassroots sport and at a community level promote local clubs with their activities.

Visit www.getintogolf.org to find out about beginner courses, taster lessons and special events at clubs and ranges nationwide. www.communitygolf.net www.englandgolf.org

Ben Grant The Five Lakes Bogey Master

Club Captain Nigel Popper presenting the Autumn Trophy to Ben Grant.

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n a breezy autumn day, this bogey competition, where the golfer takes on the course against his handicap when normally the course wins which was true today with the exception of the leading golfers.

Roger Springall (13) and Pat McSweeney (13) came in level which normally considered a good score, however, third place went Mark Harlow (7) with +2, second place went to Lee Stafford(23) with a credible +4, Ben Grant (24) with an exceptional +6 takes the Autumn Trophy as well as a reduction in his playing handicap.

Jill Has Her Fill

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n a remarkable 10 golfing days at Woodford Golf Club, journalist Jill James lifted three of the most revered Ladies’ section cups - the Fish Challenge Bowl, a match-play event, the Coronation Cup, a matchplay final over 36 holes, and the Hilda Carpenter Trophy, an 18-hole greensomes matchplay competition.

It is believed that this is the first time any woman has won these three cups during one season.

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The

Jubilee Cup Update from Jubilee Cup Committee, sponsored by Seabrook Warehousing, and reported by Chairman Phil Redhead

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olleagues and Competitors in the 2016 Jubilee Cup, and Golfers throughout Essex. At time of writing we only have a single match left to complete. The Jubilee Cup Final will be played at The Brentwood Golf Club on Sunday 25th September â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Committee commiserates with Three Rivers and Colchester Golf Club who both put up valiant efforts in the Semi Finals, but ultimately lost out to Crondon Park and The Bentley. Also, significant kudos and Jubilee Cup spirit merits to the winner of the League phase who informed us of an accidental Rules infringement which resulted in them ceding the League and change at Semi Final position to Colchester. Absolutely the spirit we engender in the competition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a fierce, but friendly and honourable, competitive spirit.

Full details of both Semi Finals are on the website and shown below for completeness, with Crondon chalking up an 8 & 1 victory over Colchester, and Bentley defeating Three Rivers 5.5 & 3.5.

Very much worth noting that whether the high level score looks tight or not, it could very much have been a different result on the date. As spectators and officials on the day, what we saw was nominal dominance of early points gains, but both matches saw opponent swings during their rounds.

SF1: Crondon Park Golf Club versus Colchester Golf Club

- 38 -

Crondon Park Golf Club.

Three Rivers.

Colchester Golf Club.

SF2: Three Rivers versus The Bentley Golf Club

The Bentley Golf Club.

- 39 -

P.T.O.

The “Road to the Final is below, and by the time of publication of Essex Golfer, the results of the actual Final Match will also be up on the website – so please check at www.jubileecup.com and specifically click into the Final match hosted at www.jubileecup.com/matches2016/qsf_sheet_2016.html.

Quarter finals to be completed by 7th August 2016 Crondon Park Burnham on Crouch Stapleford Abbots Colchester Three Rivers The Rayleigh Club Woolston Manor Bentley

Semi finals to be played weekend 3rd - 4th Sept 2016

Finals to be played on Sunday 25th September 2016

2016 JUBILEE CUP WINNER

Crondon Park Crondon Park Colchester

Quarter and Semi Results 2016

2016 WINNER

Three Rivers

Bentley Bentley

The teams showed excellent spirit as always, and some of the individuals were cpmpeting for places in the running for the Order of Merit. Full list of all singles OOM is here www.jubileecup.com/matches2016/playsing.htm. Likewise the Pairs player OOM standings are: www.jubileecup.com/matches2016/playdoub.htm As you may know, the Jubilee Cup is open to ALL Essex clubs, and we seek to make the competition bigger and better every year. Even as early as now, I know I have two new clubs for 2017, and the entry forms are coming in from all Essex prior to the deadline of 31st October.

The Jubilee Cup comprises clubs who would like to enter a team of 6 singles players and 3 pairs of 4BBB competitors (please check our competition entry rules: www.jubileecup.com/matches2016/rules2016.pdf ) who will play initially four guaranteed League matches, before progressing to then knock-out qualifiers to become the Champion.

Please send your entry form (can be found at www.jubileecup.com/entryform2017.pdf) as per its instructions to me by end of October please.

Any queries come directly back to myself personally – philip.redhead@bt.com and/or our Competition mailbox JubileeCup@yahoo.co.uk Looking forward to seeing you all in 2017, and Good Luck to the two Finalists.

Best regards Phil - 40 -

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Golf Monday - Thursday. Supplements for weekend Golf.

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Winners â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Maggie Stevenson & Elaine Atkin with Lynn Anderson and Jan Collier (Lady President).

I

n mid September, the Society of Essex Lady Captains hosted their final event of the season at The Essex G&CC. Whilst it was the smallest meeting of the year with just over 40 players, it proved to be a very friendly affair. On the day, temperatures soared to 30 degrees making the 4BBB competition more arduous than normal.

The course at the Essex was in great condition and with little rain in the run up to the competition, the ball was rolling a very long way. With great course conditions and good weather, the scores were expected to be high.

Out of the 21 pairs playing 11 scored 40 points or more.

In 4th place on 45 points were Hilda Hazell (Forrester Park) & Lorenza Matthews (Benton Hall), in third place also on 45 points were Diane Barkwith (The Rayleigh Club) & Pam Hazelwood (Colne Valley). The runners up were Julie Dent (Five Lakes) & Lesley Sherer (Benton Hall). The overall winners of the day with a

fantastic score of 51 points were Maggie Stevenson (North Weald) & Elaine Atkin (Three Rivers). Thanks to The Essex G&CC for hosting this event and looking after us all so well on the day. Grateful thanks also to Lynn Anderson Lady Captain of the Essex and her lady helpers for all their help with this event. The homemade cakes and cold drinks halfway round were a life saver for many of the ladies.

Thank you to all our members for supporting the Society this year. We are currently finalising our programme of events for 2017. We plan to release dates and venues for next season on our website before the end of the year. Notice of our AGM and applications for membership, meetings and friendly matches will be sent in the post to all current members and 2017 Lady Captains by the end of January. All information and forms will also be available on our website https://essexladycaptains.wordpress.com in early February.

- 42 -

Essex County News email: info@essexgolfer.com

www.essexgolfunion.org

ESSEX MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE ALLAN LOCKWOOD TROPHY The Semi-Finals and the Final of the Allan Lockwood Trophy were played at Bentley Golf Club on Sunday 11th September 2016, as part of the Essex Golf Union finals day.

It is a very popular competition with club golfers, as over 90 golfers with a wide variety of handicaps from most Clubs around the county set out in March to compete together in a prestigious County matchplay knockout Event.

Dean Bewers (Burnham on Crouch) and Ken Dennison (Basildon) played in the first semi-final teeing off at 8.00am, and Dean managed to win the match 4&2.

The second semi-final between Rob Wareing (Playgolf Colchester) and Tony Childs (Mardyke Valley) followed closely behind and resulted in Tony winning a closely fought match 2&1.

Dean and Tony played the final in the pleasant afternoon sun, a close match in which some excellent golf was played. Eventually Dean took the victory with a 4&2 result. Our congratulations to Dean and well played Tony, both players doing very well to make it through to the final.

Thank you to Bentley Golf Club, for their excellent hospitality and for providing a well prepared course for these matches to play on.

LESLIE F WOOD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Played at The Burstead Golf Club On Sunday the 4th of September the final of the Leslie F Wood Team Championship was played at The Burstead Golf Club on a fine but overcast autumnal day.This was the culmination of 60 teams, with players having a handicap of 8 or higher, who entered the competition back in April and was contested by Chigwell and Romford Golf Clubs.

The morning foursomes saw Chigwell win 3 of the 5 matches although the biggest win went to the last pair out for Romford, Rob Stevens and Dean Hazell who beat James Tuohy & Fergus Ahern 4&3.

After lunch and a reshuffle of the teams, the singles matches saw only 2 players on each team playing against someone they had in the morning foursomes. Romford evened the scores with the first match being won 3&2. From here the scores were evenly matched with each club winning alternate matches except for match 7 which was drawn between Fergus Ahern of Chigwell and Chris Blakeburgh of Romford. This left the scores at 6 & Half points each with two close games still on the course. In the 9th match Dean Hazell managed to put his disappointment of putting 2 balls Continued Overleaf

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Essex County News email: info@essexgolfer.com

www.essexgolfunion.org

The victorious Chigwell team with the shield in the fading light..

into the water on the 16th to come back to winning the 17th and go back to being 1 up. A half on the 18th gave Romford a 1 point lead in the match. The last match between Sean Wylde of Chigwell, enthusiastically supported by his 2 young children, and Steve Kemp of Romford was again all square after 16 holes. Despite Sean’s short and left drive on the par 3, 17th his ball managed to stay out of the trees to give him a chip to the green. Unfortunately Steve’s drive found the bunker and he could only chip out short of the green. Sean’s 2 putts from the edge of the green saw him win this hole to go 1 up. On the par 5, 18th both players played it immaculately to see then both have a birdie putt.

In front of the gathered large crowd of supporters, Steve could not, unfortunately, capitalise on this and Sean levelled the match at 7 & half points each to take it to a sudden death play-off. Great drama for the following band of supporters.

The play-off was contested between Adam Martin of Chigwell and Scott Wilding of Romford both of whom had lost their singles games in the afternoon. On the first, both hit the ball to about 20 yards short of the ditch with Scott having a longer, but straighter, shot to the green. Unfortunately his 2nd shot found the bunker to the left of the green whereas Adam managed to fade the ball around the trees to be on the right side of the green . A good bunker shot from Scott left his ball about 5 feet short of the hole whereas a good first putt from Adam saw his ball finish inside a foot. With Scott missing his putt it remained for Adam to keep his cool and sink the short putt for a Chigwell win; their 2nd in the last 3 runnings of the competition.

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Essex County News email: info@essexgolfer.com

www.essexgolfunion.org

NORMAN PLUM TROPHY FINAL The 2016 Norman Plum Trophy Final between Stoke by Nayland and Theydon Bois was played at Bentley Golf Club on a superb late summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day, the Essex Golf Union Finals Day on 11th September.

Stoke by Nayland, who were the defending champions, were held in closely fought matches by a strong Theydon Bois team as the six matches passed the half way mark. In the end the Stoke by Nayland team proved just too strong for their opponents and ran out 4 - 2 winners, to retain their title. It was a great match for the large group of spectators from both Clubs to enjoy, and was played in great spirits.

The Essex Golf Union would like to thank Bentley Golf Club for hosting the event and their excellent hospitality, also the spectators who came from opposite ends of the County to support their teams.

Team captain, John Sandford holding the trophy with club captain, Ian Thompson together with the victorious players.

THE ESSEX FOURSOMES CHAMPIONSHIP This was played at Rochford Hundred GC on Sunday the 25th of September. Despite 2 greens having been recently vandalised the competition went ahead on all 18 holes with the hard work of the club green keeping staff. On a blustery but mainly dry day the winners were David Abbott and Jacob Dobbyn from Boyce Hill GC with a 36 hole total of 145 (71 & 74).

In second place with a total of 147 (74 & 73) were Chris Chaplin & Tom Wells from the home club. Thanks to Rochford Hundred for hosting this event at a difficult time and to the referees for making it possible to play the 2 damaged greens.

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YOUTH SHIELD Scratch League Final Teams split into four regional leagues set out in April with the top two teams in each league progressing to the quarter final stages. Having played the quarter and semi-finals we arrived at Bentley Golf Club on the Sunday 11th September with the finalists – Chelmsford and Clacton on Sea. The standard of golf on display was excellent and kept the large number of supporters entertained throughout the final. It was a closely fought match with three matches going through the 17th hole to achieve a result. In the end Chelmsford just edged the result in their Victorious team with the club captain and the team captain favour with a 3 – 2 victory. holding the shield.

It was a great match which was enjoyed by all spectators, our congratulations to Chelmsford who now have their name on this trophy for the first time since its inception in 1951.

Our thanks to Bentley Golf Club for hosting this event as part of our finals day.

YOUTH SHIELD Handicap League Final This year saw the introduction of the Handicap League in the Youth shield competition with thirteen Teams entered, split into two leagues.The top team in each league progressing directly into the Final, part of our finals day event at Bentley Golf Club on the Sunday 11th September, the finalists being Thorpe Hall and Colne Valley.

A large number of supporters were kept entertained throughout the final by two teams who clearly enjoyed the experience. In the end Thorpe Hall were just able to perform that little bit better on the day to secure a 3 ½ – 1 ½ victory.They become the first name to be engraved on the new trophy.

It was a great match which was enjoyed by all spectators, our congratulations to both teams for reaching the final, and in particular to Thorpe Hall for their success.

Our thanks to Bentley Golf Club for hosting this event as part of our finals day.

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Essex Seniors Team Championship

CHELMSFORD v THE RAYLEIGH CLUB Romford Golf Club â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wednesday 7th September 2016 This was contested by Chelmsford GC and The Rayleigh Club on the 7th on September at Romford GC. On a hot and still summers day the two teams had a very friendly competition with Chelmsford finishing worthy winners, 7 & a half to 3 & a half. After the first 4 games had concluded it was all square but a run of good victories from Ian Morrison, Paddy parlour, Laurie Baker and John Taylor gave Chelmsford an unassailable lead. Photos of the winners & runners up was followed by a boisterous but good humoured meal The Raleigh captain congratulating the Chelmsford captain when the match at the Romford. was won.

Our thanks to Romford Golf Club for hosting this event.

The team with the team captain holding the trophy and the club captain to his right.

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SOUTHERN COUNTIES SENIOR FOURSOMES FINAL Haverhill Golf Club â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tuesday 27th September 2016

This was a major success for the Essex Team having qualified from perhaps the strongest group.

Also in the final were Hampshire, Suffolk and Gloucestershire.

The course at Haverhill was well prepared but match day provided a stern test of golf with the wind swirling in different directions.

The morning saw our Team get off to a solid start winning 3 games out of 5 to be in second position to Suffolk who had half a point more.

The afternoon got off to a frantic start for Steve Rooney who turned up on the 1st Tee for his start time only to find he was off the 9th so he was faced with a ž of a mile dash to the 9th Tee only to find that his partner Geoff King had teed off to avoid a 2 shot penalty.

Mark Stones and Chris Aukett teed off first and were locked in a tight battle with the Gloucestershire pair finishing the first nine 2 down. Ian Waller and Michael Partridge were fairing slightly better with their noses in front after nine. Jeff Mathewson and Glynn Williams were charging round the course but were 1 up or 1 down depending on which hole they were on.

Geoff King and Steve Rooney were also engaged in a struggle of a match and were 2 down after nine.

The only pair that seemed to be making progress was Chris Philips and Kevin Saunders who were 4 up after nine and looking comfortable.

Then matters seemed to improve with Jeff Mathewson sinking a long putt for victory on the 8th green (his 18th) for him and his partner Glynn Williams. Our attention then turned to the other nine where Ian Waller and Michael Partridge had won 6/4 and Mark Stones and Chris Aukett were 1 up playing the 17th the win on this hole and a 2/1 victory was secured.

Then it was back to the other nine with Steve Rooney and Geoff King one up playing 17 (the 6th Hole) a superb approach shot from Steve leaving Geoff a 2 foot putt for birdie and the win and it was looking good.

Then we found Chris Philips and Kevin Saunders who were walking in having won 5/4 That win assured us of victory having won all of the afternoon singles which meant that we could not be beat.

Congratulations to Steve Hazell and his gallant Team of :- Chris Aukett & Mark Stones (Boyce Hill) Ian Waller & Michael Partridge (Thorndon Park) Chris Philips & Kevin Saunders (Thorndon Park) Geoff King (West Essex) & Steve Rooney (Orsett) - 48 -

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MARK STONES Mark Stones from Boyce Hill Golf Club and playing for the England Senior team, was unbeaten with a record of 5 - 0 as England won the 2016 Senior Home Internationals with a maximum haul of 6 points from their three matches. This was played at Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club, Carmarthenshire,Wales from the 20th to the 22nd of September.

England were up against Scotland on the first day of the Senior Home Internationals. Mark was selected to play in the morning foursomes partnering Alan Mew from Hampshire against the Scotland captain David Gardiner and Ian Brotherston. Mark & his partner got off to a dream start birdieing four of the first five holes and quickly establishing a 5up lead, the Scots hit back with two birdies of their own and reduced the deficit to two holes after 11 holes. Back to back birdies at the 12th and 13th made it comfortable for England and they ran out winners by 4&3. England led 2-1 at lunch with a further win for the Stephen East (Yorkshire) and Richard Latham (Lincolnshire) combination. I retained my place for the afternoon singles playing in match five against David Shields, the first six holes were very even and a steady run of par golf to the 15th saw me home by 5&3. England won four more singles with only one loss for an overall 7-2 win.

England played Ireland on day 2 and Mark was rested for the morning foursomes where England finished the session 2-1 ahead with wins from the East/Latham pairing and the Ian Crowther (Lancashire ) / David Nelson (Cheshire) partnership. Mark was in for the afternoon singles again at match five against Alan Egan and got off to a fast start with birdies at the 1st and 2nd holes including a holed bunker shot (at the 2nd). A solid display of par golf with a further birdie consolidated his lead and he ran out the winner by 5&4. Three further England singles completed a 6-3 win.

England were up against Wales on day 3 and with Wales also winning their first two matches this would be the title decider although with England holding a 2 points games advantage a draw would be good enough. Mark was selected for the morning foursomes this time partnering David Niven (BB&O) against Colin Jones and Glynn Rees. We got off to good start and a birdie at the 5th put us 3up which we maintained after 12 holes and then birdies at the 13th and 14th saw us home by 5&4.

A win by the Crowther/Nelson pairing and a half from East and Latham put England 2.5 - 0.5 up at lunch and requiring only two wins in the singles to claim the 2016 Senior Home Internationals.

Mark was playing at match six in the afternoon singles against arguably the Welsh number one, Nigel Evans. Mark found myself level par after 5 holes but 1 down, a win with a par at 6th hole was quickly followed by a 20 foot putt for birdie at the 7th to put him 1 up which was maintained to the 11th. He then missed a short putt at 12 to go back to all square but birdies at the 13th and 14th and a par at the tricky 15th put him 3up with three to play. A par 4 at the 16th completed a 3&2 win and with England winning the other five singles they beat Wales 8.5 - 0.5 to win the title.

Mark was unbeaten throughout the tournament with a record of 5-0 and was the only player from any of the Home Countries to finish with a 100% record. .

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Colts S.E. Region Final Match 2016

ESSEX COLTS v HERTFORDSHIRE COLTS Benton Hall Golf Club – Sunday 4th September 2016 FOURSOMES ESSEX Points Scott Hudson & Callum Pipe 0 Brandon Meads & Arron Edwards-Hill 1 Josh Cardy & Dominic Piccolo 1 William Percival & Lukas Warren 1 Total Foursomes 3 Callum Pipe Will Percival Josh Cardy Brandon Meads Dominic Piccolo Arron Edwards-Hill Lukas Warren Scott Hudson Total Singles Total Foursomes MATCH TOTAL

1 0 1 1/2 0 1 1 1 5 1/2 3 8 1/2

Score 2&1 5&4 Con 2up

Points 1 0 0 0 1

SINGLES 6&4 3&2 1 UP AS 7&6 2&1 4&2 Con

0 1 0 1/2 1 0 0 0 2 1/2 1 3 1/2

MIDDLESEX Bobby Bradford & Charlie Williams Matt Gumble & Rob Shaw Adam Clark Laurie Owen & Jared Tyacke

Laurie Owen Adam Clark Rob Shaw Bobby Bradford Charlie Williams Jarod Tyacke Matt Gumble

Match Report- The final League Match was not the usual triangular format as Bedfordshire had had to withdraw, so it was one to one against Hertfordshire.

Unfortunately one of the Herts players failed to turn up. Our sympathies to Terry Trude, the Team Manager, and the remaining 7 players as we know how frustrating this is (from previous experience!!)

Essex Team were – (left to right on the photograph) Arron Edwards-Hill (Chelmsford), Brandon Meads (Chelmsford),Will Percival (Orsett), Josh Cardy (Channels), Dominic Piccolo (Channels) Scott Hudson, Captain (The Warren), Callum Pipe (Braintree) and Lukas Warren (Thorndon Park) Two players did not get a morning foursomes match – Josh & Dominic, but were out there supporting the team. Scott and Callum played against Herts’ strongest pair who were on top form.

Having been 4 down after 4 they fought back to narrowly lose 2&1. Brandon & Arron combined well and won 5&4.Thank you to Arron for filling in only 2 days before the match.We shall be seeing a lot of this young player in future County teams.Will and Lukas had a tight match and were 1 up on the 18th tee when Herts put their drive OOB giving them a 2 up win.

With the forfeited game the morning result was Essex 3, Herts 1.

For the afternoon singles, Captain Scott Hudson, stood down, so that each of his team got a game.

The course was quite crowded as Benton Hall GC had the Junior Championship on that afternoon, - 50 -

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so singles were played in one 2ball and three 4balls.

Callum lead the field out and had an excellent 6&4 win. Other good wins came from Lukas 4&2, Arron 2&1, and Josh 1 up. Brandon was down but fought back to all square to halve the match with Herts’ amateur champion. With match play it is all in the luck of the draw as to who plays who.

Someone has to meet the player that is having a “birdiefest”!!

The singles result was Essex 5½, Herts 2½ Overall result Essex 8½, Herts 3½. A figure that belies the tightly contested match with Herts having to concede two games.

Essex now go forward to play against Hampshire in the South Eastern Group Final at Seaford Golf Club on 9th October.

Many thanks to Benton Hall Golf Club who looked after us all so well.The course was in excellent condition with many challenging holes.

Dave Edwards Colts Manager

U16 Inter Counties League

ESSEX UNDER 16 BOYS v KENT & SUSSEX Nazeing Golf Club, Essex – Sunday 4 September 2016 Match Report- There are good golfing days and there are bad golfing days, but very occasionally there are excellent ones and the Essex lads’ performance on Sunday falls into just that category.

This was the Essex boys’ final league match of the season and whilst they commenced the day joint top with Surrey on 42 points a very good performance would set Surrey a tough target to overhaul Essex in their final match.

For this match Essex were able to field an almost full strength side and on a tough Nazeing layout in overcast and breezy condition they were very much up for the challenge on offer. In order to finish the season at the top of this South East Group the Essex boys had to score as many points as they could to make Surrey’s task of overtaking them as difficult as possible.

Unquestionably they did exactly that with the county’s leading players coming to the fore.

Michael Gilbert and Curtis Knipes lead the way with emphatic victories against both their opponents followed by captain Harry Moncur, Callum Newton, Cai James, Harvey Payne and Patrick Arundell all collecting their full quota of four points.

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Continued Overleaf

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Once the points had finally been tallied the Essex team had recorded a formidable total of 32 out of a possible 40, meaning Surrey will have to go one better and score 33 in their final match against Kent and Sussex in October. This was undoubtedly one of the finest performances by an Essex under 16 Boys team in recent years. Indeed the performances this season in the League, friendlies and the Skevington/Bagshaw trophies have been quite outstanding. All those who represented Essex this season have worn their county shirt with pride and special mention must go to Callum Newton who completed the season undefeated collecting 19 points from a possible 20, with Harrison Linney and Patrick Arundell just behind on 14 each, but well done to all the players for a collective outstanding performance.

Final thanks go to Nazeing for their hospitality and to the parents and supporters who throughout the season have acted uncomplainingly as chauffeurs, ball-spotters, sports psychologists and heaven knows what else. We now wait anxiously to hear the outcome of the one remaining match.

Stephen Golding County Manager

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THORNTON CHALLENGE CUP FINAL Chelmsford Golf Club – Sunday 18th September 2016 The 2016 final was played on 18th September between Rochford Hundred and Orsett on a well manicured Chelmsford course.

The morning foursomes commenced in cool autumnal conditions with two evenly matched teams keen to make an early impression.The first two matches out in the morning resulted in comfortable wins for Rochford and the third match went in similar fashion to Orsett.The remaining two matches were much closer with match 4 going up the 18th, finally giving Orsett their 2nd point, and match 5 finishing on the 17th green, giving Rochford a slender 3 – 2 lead at the lunch time break.

In the afternoon singles the 200+ supporters were treated to some excellent matchplay golf.Taylor Carter extended Rochford’s lead with an early win in the first match, but Orsett then reeled off four wins from the next four matches, with Cassidy Steffans holding off a great fight back from Spencer Wells to close out his match on the 18th green.With the score at 6 – 4 now to Orsett, attention turned to the remaining five matches out on the course, and with Rochford up in two, two matches all square, and one match standing with Orsett holding a slender lead.The competition was heading towards a very tense finale. Andrew Frye gave Rochford their 5th point with a win in match 6 and then Dave Tong won match 10 for Orsett to take them within a point of victory. Match 7 was all square on the 17th tee, but Paul King took that to give Orsett a slender lead going to the 18th, and then holed the winning putt on the 18th green to make Orsett the 2016 champions.

The final match result was 8½ – 6½ in Orsett’s favour.

It was an excellent day of golf played between two teams who clearly had great respect for each other, our thanks to Chelmsford for hosting the match and to all the spectators for providing encouragement to both teams throughout the day.

CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT The England Golf Champion of Champions tournament was held at England Golf ’s Woodhall Spa over the championship Hotchkin Course on the 11th of September.This tournament is held each year for all county champions to represent their county to be a national champion.

Essex were represented by Alisdair Plumb of Chelmsford as county champion, Harrison Linney of West Essex as junior county champion and Steve Rooney of Orsett as Seniors champion.

All three Essex players gave good accounts of themselves in competing at the highest level of amateur golf in difficult conditions. However, Steve Rooney in the seniors event finished an excellent second place, behind David Niven of BB&O. Steve played two rounds in wet conditions, with very little run on the ball and completed both rounds at 76 (3 over par), Steve Rooney. securing second place with birdie 4 on the 18th hole 550 yard par 5 both times, which was just enough to finish second place ahead of many of England’s top rated senior golfers. A great achievement for Steve in representing his club Orsett and his county Essex.

Unfortunately neither Alisdair nor Harrison could reproduce their winning form from the earlier competitions and did not feature on the leaderboard.

Mike Hart - 53 -

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ROMFORD TROPHY Romford Golf Club â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday 2 September 2016

From Left to Right: Jesper Laurence (Stock Brook Manor) Nett Winner, Jay Beisser (The Rayleigh Club) Winner and Brandon Meads (Chelmsford) Runner Up.

It was an overcast but dry start to the September morning, as 66 players set out to play the well-presented Romford course.

Leading after the morning round were four players all on level par 71. These included Mitchel Sarling (Boyce Hill), Jay Beisser (The Rayleigh Club), William Percival (Orsett) and Jesper Laurence (Stock Brook Manor), Essexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Under 14 Champion.

The quartet were closely followed by the 2016 Order Of Merit leader George Leversuch (Wanstead), Lukas Warren (Thorndon Park) and Alexander Bradley (Chelmsford) who all finished their morning rounds with rounds of 72 (+1). A tight leaderboard in the morning proved to create an exciting afternoons golf with a number of competitors in contention for this years title.

Not only was the Romford Trophy being played for, but the Order Of Merit was possibly going to be decided with George Leversuch (Wanstead) and Jay Beisser (The Rayleigh Club) just 4 points apart.

Closely followed by Joshua Cardy (Channels), Jack Dyer (Rochford Hundred) and William Percival (Orsett). Jack Dyer was the only player in the top five of the Order Of Merit that was not competing at Romford, so this pretty much has ruled him out of contention, but - 54 -

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the competition remains tight for the other four in this, the penultimate OOM event of this years calendar.

Brandon Meads (Chelmsford) started strong in the afternoon, making 4 birdies in his opening 6 holes, his opening score of 73 meant he could have been 2 under for the day, but due to a double bogey on the 4th, it meant he was on level par with the back nine to go. An eagle on the 11th saw Brandon go to -2 for the tournament with just 6 holes left. His finish wasn’t as strong, making three bogeys on holes From Left to Right: Barry Probert (Romford Golf Club 13,15 &17. This meant his round of 70 (-1) saw Captain), Jay Beisser (The Rayleigh Club) and Brandon take the clubhouse lead on 143 (+1).

Mike Hart (EGU President).

Meanwhile Mitchel Sarling (Boyce Hill), started with a birdie, however despite making three more birdies in his round of 72 (+1), a couple of double bogeys and a bogey on the 17th were to blame and prevented Mitchel taking the overall lead in the clubhouse.

Jay Beisser (The Rayleigh Club) started smoothly making a birdie two on the par 3 6th, only to bogey the following hole to go back to level for the day. His back nine was faultless, not dropping another shot, in fact making 3 birdies, on holes 11,15 & 16. This meant Jay closed with an impressive 68, the best score of the day and finishing four shots clear of Brandon’s 143 on 139 (-3) for the tournament.

This proved good enough to win the Romford Trophy. It also means that the Order Of Merit is going to the wire as George Leversuch finished consistently, shooting a pair of 72’s to finish in a very respectable 5th position.

The Nett competition was won by Jesper Laurence (Stock Brook Manor). Jesper’s afternoon round of 73 was just two over par and two better than his morning round of 71. Jesper’s handicap of 5 meant that he carded a nett 134 for the day, which was -8 for and 9 shots clear of Alex McGown (Boyce Hill) who had to settle for runner up on countback from Jay Beisser (The Rayleigh Club) & Ernest Grosvenor (Maylands) who also both finished with a nett 141.

The 2016 OOM will now be settled at Upminster on the 10th September which is the final event of the season that awards Order Of Merit points.

Congratulations to Jay on a solid performance.

Our thanks, as always to Romford From Left to Right: Barry Probert (Romford Golf Club Captain), Golf Club for hosting the event and Jesper Laurence (Stock Brook Manor) and their hospitality.

Mike Hart (EGU President).

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UPMINSTER TROPHIES Upminster Trophy & Bowl 2016

$ $

The 2016 Upminster Trophy competition took place on the 10th September at a damp Upminster Golf Club, the resident host venue for this event. The Trophy is presented for the best over 25’s gross score, and the Bowl is presented for the best under 25’s gross score. The course looked in excellent condition so the main challenge for the players was the cool temperature and frequent showers which blew across the course.

The players found the morning scoring a little difficult but Curtis Knipes (North Weald) and James Hedger (Braintree) returned level par 69’s to set the early pace.

This was later followed by Aaron Edwards-Hill (Chelmsford) who also managed a 69, to share the halfway lead, with a host of players 2 shots back on 71.

This included the two main challengers for the 2016 Order of Merit title, Jay Beisser (The Rayleigh Club) and From Left to Right: Colin Johnson (Hainault George Leversuch (Wanstead), and Colin Johnson Forest), Curtis Knipes (North Weald) and Jay (Hainault Forest) who was holding a three shot lead in Beisser (The Rayleigh Club). the over 25’s Trophy competition.

In the afternoon the breeze dropped a little and the subsequent scoring reflected the slightly better playing conditions. Of the early starters in the afternoon Curtis Knipes followed his excellent morning round with another 69 to set a challenging clubhouse total of 138. Connor Worsdall (The Essex) improved upon his morning 71 with a one over par 70 to be the nearest challenger to Curtis, with only a few groups left out on the course. In one of the final groups to finish Jay Beisser completed the best round of the day with a one under par 68, his two round total of 139 just falling short of the target set. Colin Johnson also completed a good day with a 72 in the afternoon to finish with a total of 143, the best of the over 25’s.

So Curtis Knipes with the best two round total was the winner of the Upminster Bowl, followed

by Jay Beisser and Connor Worsdall. The Upminster Trophy was won by Colin Johnson, followed

by Mark Lazarus (Romford) and Jamie Richards (Abridge).

There were two prizes for the best overall nett scores, the winner being Curtis Knipes, with a nett 134. Five shots behind was Connor Worsdall with a nett 139.

JUNIOR NOMINATIONS FOR COUNTY COACHING 2017 Essex Juniors – We Need You! A reminder to all Essex Golf Clubs and Junior Organisers to submit your digital nominations for county coaching in 2017. If you have not already done so, please visit our website and download the digital nomination form. Every submitted form will be processed. www.essexgolfunion.org > Junior Golf > Coaching > UNDER 14 Digital Nomination Form These forms must be received by the 28th October 2016 in order to be considered.

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Ladies Do The Cha, Cha, Cha at Newton Green

Newton ladies captain Sally Cade (front centre) with the winning Playgolf team and other winners.

T

he Newton Green Golf Club ladies open was again a success with teams from across Suffolk and Essex competing.

The cha, cha, cha team formula (four, two and two players to count on consecutive holes) proved to the liking of the Playgolf, Colchester team, which scored 109 points – three more than their closed rivals.

Results: 109 Lynne Southgate, Jennie Boyden, Lucy Sadle and Pauline Jordan (Playgolf, Colchester),

106 Sally Clarke, Brenda Davis and Maureen Minter, Anne Legg (Cretingham), 101 Jan Wright, Jan McLellan, Helen Barr and Lyn Lawrence (Frinton).

Best front nine, 47 Nina Nielson, Ann Graves, Rita Bird and Pam Macbridge (Woodbridge); Best second nine, 57 Lynne Rafferty, Carol Perks, Christine Bloomfield and Jean Woods (Rushmere).

Nearest pin 6th, Ann Bell (Richmond Park).

Nearest pin 13th, Sharon Clarke (Gosfield).

Clacton-on-Sea Matabele Bowl

C

aptain Nick Smith welcomed Colchester Golf Club Captain Vic Pomphrett and his team to the Clacton Club for the 2016 playing of “The Matabele Bowl”. Originally presented to the Clacton Club in 1901 by Clacton member Frances (Matabele) Thompson and represented for an annual match between the Clacton & Colchester Clubs by the family of H P Gadsdon Esq. who had won the trophy outright in 1929.

In the 2016 match both teams sat down for a full English breakfast, prior to taking to the links for the 18 hole best ball match play event Clacton Captain Nick Smith & Ronnie Miller won 4&2 against Colchester Captain Vic Pomphrett & Keith Newnham, in match 2, Alf Smith & Bradley Broughton won 2&1 against Roger Robertson & Mike Kettle, in match 3, Lee Hale & Fred Allerton lost 1 down to Tom Rothery & Adam Harper, in match 4, Peter Wright & Alan Hearn halved with Stewart Ness & Dennis Brown, in match 5, John Moore & Craig Green won 5&3 against Jeff Johnson &

Dave Humberstone, in match 6, Peter Smith & Steve Scott halved with Tim Moriati & Russel Storey, in match 7, Keith Sampson & Simon Smith won 3&2 against Stewart Watson & Paul Smith, in match 8, Darrin Starling & Jiwan Rai won 5&4 against John Redden & Mick Potter.

After the match, both captains stated that it had once again been a very memorable match and on this occasion Clacton were the winners by six points to two points. A highlight of this match, was a very first "Hole-in-One", by Colchester member Paul Smith, who achieved this historic moment at Clacton`s 165 yard 2nd hole using a 6 iron and a white ball. The drinks were on Paul Cheers!!!

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The PGA in Essex

Secretary: Colin Reynolds pgainessex@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: 0771 3926 108 www.pga.info

Brentwood Pro-Am August 2016

U

nusually for Essex the first Brentwood ProAm was played in glorious sunshine and this produced a stunning 6 under par round of 66 from in- form Robbie Coles from Maylands Golf and Country Club. Having flown in from a top 20 finish in the European Tour event in Denmark, Coles continued his good form despite an untimely bogey on the par 3 eighteenth. This was good enough to take first prize by 3 shots from Jason Levermore of Channels Golf Club who was

2 ahead of a three way tie for third between Mark Davis of Thorndon Park Golf Club, Steve Cipa from South Essex Golf Centre and Craig Donaldson from Top Golf Chigwell.

In the team competition, an impressive 85 points from the team of Robbie Coles with amateurs Gavin Wright, Alan Clark and Larry Gazzard was enough to complete a clean sweep for the man from Maylands.

Chris Nunn PGA in Essex Captain presenting the team prize with Mike Jones from Brentwood Golf Club.

Although we are in our close season, Essex Forthcoming Events: Professionals have been competing successfully in East Region PGA events. A summary of results is shown below: Ingreboune Valley Par 3 competition – Fredrick Harrington from Rochford Hundred Golf Club Saffron Walden Golf Club Pro-Am – Pro-Am on Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th Mark Baker from Colchester Golf Club November at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club Leighton Buzzard Pro-Am – Brett Taylor and Royal St. Georges Golf Club. The cost per from Brett Taylor Golf amateur is £250 which includes coffee and bacon Wanstead Golf Club Pro-Am – Steve Cipa roll each morning,18 holes on two of the best from South Essex Golf Centre links courses in the world and an excellent meal Rochford Hundred Golf Club Pro-Am – after play each day. There will be a spectacular James Webber from Three Rivers Golf and amateur prize table and places are strictly limited Country Club so a deposit of £75 per person is required to Chelmsford Golf Club Pro-Am – secure your place. Again, contact the PGA in Mark Baker from Colchester Golf Club Essex for this fantastic opportunity to play two Congratulations to all our winners and good classic links courses. luck for the rest of the season.

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The 2016 2nd ROYAL EVENT

A

Woodford’s Deeming Does it Again

M

ark Deeming makes a habit of capturing the Past Captains’ Cup at Woodford Golf Club. He won it for the fourth time in six years in early October. This put him level with the four wins Roy Webb collected in the 1990s but still behind the five that Nick Rowe has garnered in this century.

Deeming, a retired police inspector, came in with 37 stableford points to head off a challenge

by Tom Steed and Rowe, both on 35 points.

Defending Captain of the Past Captains, Brian Holmes, could not play because he had injured a wrist in a fall. Nevertheless, Holmes went out on the course walking his dog the day before the competition and found an astonishing 63 golf balls in the rough and under the trees and bushes just on the first and second holes on the woodland course established in 1890 and the second oldest in the Essex Golf Union.

Holmes presented the cup to Deeming at a dinner attended by some other past captains who were unable to play. Among them was Jim Coker, the only member with a course feature named after him - Coker’s ridge, which runs right across the fairway on the Brambles hole No 6. However, Jim, who presented the Past

Captains’ Cup to the club in 1985 in memory of his father, had to miss the group photograph as he had to dash back to his home in north Norfolk.

There was a big turn-out for the charity event to raise cash for the Maria Falco fund for research into breast cancer. Maria set up the fund before she died from breast cancer at the age of 39 in 2005, and her family continues the money-raising tradition.

The event, in which the best two stableford scores in each four-ball counted, resulted in some high scoring. The winners were the team dubbed “The Heavenly Ones” comprising Ken Heaven, Chris Phillips, John Mansfield and Sean Marah with 96 points. Runners-up were “The Good, Bad, Ugly and Me” team (Les Curtis, Mark Rowley, Richard Clarke and Roger Guinebault) with 91 points with “The Killers” (John Beecroft, Tony Olley, Terry Insole and Dan Wright) third on 88 points.

Later, players enjoyed a buffet dinner followed by a dodgy auction by Captain Mashie Niblick (alias John Michael Wade) of two artworks, which fetched well over their reserve prices. The event raised about £2,000 for the charity.

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Stoke by Nayland Win Curry Cup

Paul Champ receiving the Curry Cup from Jerry Carrow.

S

toke by Nayland Club Captain, Ian Thompson, is celebrating a double success for his 2016 teams after they added the Curry Cup to the Norman Plum Trophy, all in the space of two weeks.

The final, against Fynn Valley, was played at Colne Valley where the course had been perfectly prepared with the greens being hand cut. Their Club Captain, Jerry Carrow, welcomed the finalists; neither club had reached a Curry Cup final before.

As with the semi final Stoke had a strong start and were 4-2 up after the morning foursomes.

The afternoon singles also went well for Stoke

with eight wins and a half. The victory was secured when Don Wiggins holed a five foot putt on the 16th hole, 12.5 points to 5.5 points being the final score.

Curry Cup Captain, Paul Champ, thanked all his squad for the part they had played in winning the cup for Stoke by Nayland. Jerry Carrow in his speech complimented both teams for the sportsmanlike way all the games had been played and how good it was to have a new name on the cup. So Stoke by Nayland have finished the season in style with two trophies and now look forward to a successful time again next year.

Back Row: Matt Eaves, Karl Cansdale, Ian Thompson, Richard Cross, Rob Benson. Middle Row: Paul Champ, Dean Brace, Nick Lee, Derek Prichard, Chris Guy, Don Wiggins. At The Front:Tim Dickens. Played in earlier rounds: Ian Smith, Richard Bland, Julian Lamb.

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Its FREE to advertise anything in Golf Mart, Visit our live up to date golf mart page and enter your items.

www.essexgolfer.com WANTED: Walk & Ride Golf Trolly / Buggy.

Any Condition. Tel: 01702 541 388

WANTED: Ping G25 mens RH. Irons 4-SW steel shaft, black dot. Grip, shaft, head VGC. Driver 9.5 deg graphite, regular. 3 wood 15 deg graphite, stiff. Rescue 20 degree graphite, regular. Grips and shafts VGC. Heads good/used. Ping cart bag used. Carry bag VGC. - Can separate. FOR SALE: Ping Craz E putter.VGC, grip slight wear - £40.00 ONO. Ping towel red on black and ping G25i25 cap. £10.00 5 each. Thorpe Bay, THGC. Tel: 07963117 905 Email: jerry.burrows1@btinternet.com FOR SALE: A full set of 14 Mens Golf Clubs (mostly Rogue) in a green Sigma Golf bag. - Colchester - £90.00 ONO. Golf King folding trolley with Stow-a-Cart “Hedgehog” wheels. Good condition. £25.00 ONO. Colcheter. Tel: 07831 504 298 Email:philip@therobgeorgefoundation.co.uk

FOR SALE: Ping G30 Hybrid Hardly used, hence lovely condition Regular TFC 419 shaft 19 degree, number 3 with headcover £80.00. Benfleet. Tel: 07966 249 564 Email: djs@maynard-heady.co.uk FOR SALE: Slazenger ladies set clubs.

SW,PW,9,8,7,6,5,4 & odd 3 iron. £25.00 ONO. Chalkwell. Tel: 0777 1363 833.

Email: rianne-@hotmail.co.uk

FOR SALE: Tomtom golfer GPS watch, brand new, still in box unopened. This is an unwanted competition prize.

RRP £200 - Westcliff on Sea - £175.00.

Tel: 01702 332 232 Email: gspillett@hotmail.com

FOR SALE: LIMITED EDITION 2015 Callaway Gary Player Aniversary Golf Bag London - £450.00 ONO. Tel: 07436 016 933 Email: curleyboy01@aol.com FOR SALE: Hedgehog Fairway Protector Wheels; For Hill Billy Electric Trolley. Front and main wheels; Still boxed and hardly used; £39.99. Billericay. Tel: 01277 654 506 Email: gscartwright68@btinternet.com

FOR SALE: Nicklaus Dual Point Driver 10.5 (offset) £25.00 ONO. Nicklaus Dual Point Fast-back (new) 9.0 Driver £45.00 ONO. Yonex V Mass 400SE+ 10.5 Driver £25.00 ONO. Tour Select 835ZII Putter £25.00 ONO. Graphite shafted Progen IT4G Mark II irons + Bag £45.00 ONO. Witham.

Tel: 01376 513 646 Email: johnchamp@talktalk.net

FOR SALE: Powerkaddy Legend golf trolley for sale. Rarely used. in excellent condition.

Injury forces sale. £110.00. Hornchurch, Essex Tel: 07802 278 321 Email: brian_smith1940@hotmail.com FOR SALE: COBRA BIOCELL S LTD RELEASE less than 1/2 rrp. 4 & 5 graphite hybrids, 6-pw steel shaft (reg flex) i need senior shafts. Only a few months old. v easy to hit with draw bias. All in v good cond. grips and shafts 10/10 heads 9/10 (s/w usual marks) - £225.00 OVNO. Leigh on Sea. Tel: 07771 621 621 Email: i.finer@btinternet.com

FOR SALE: King Cobra irons 5-sw + gap wedge. Graphite regular ys-5 shafts, lite flex / low kick. Excellent condition. £75.00.

Benfleet, Essex. Tel: 07985 592 644.

Email: tonymillz@hotmail.co.uk FOR SALE: Ping i25 irons 4 to utility (8 irons) Blue dot r/s cfc shafts Pristine condition £300.00 ONO. Rainham, Essex Tel: 07952 977 639 Email: bobbypeck6@gmail.com

FOR SALE: Ladies complete set of Wilson X31 clubs, Bag, Trolley & Putter. Woods 3,4,5 & HB. Irons 6 - sw. Bag is a Callaway stand bag. Putter - Benross superior roll. Pull Trolley. Ideal for the lady just starting out.

Absolute Bargin - £75.00 ONO. Callaway X2 hot set of irons 4 to PW. Plus a Mack Daddy 52 AW.Very good condition. Grips, shafts & Head. Clubs are only 18 months old. I have traded up to a set of Callaway XR irons £250.00 ONO. Witham.

Tel: 07787 186 949 Email: harrywymark@msn.com

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FOR SALE: Trojan Electric Trolley including battery, charger and bag - Hornchurch £75.00 Buyer to collect. Tel: 01708 443 497.

Slazenger golf bag, good condition with approx 20 assorted clubs (Dunlop, Slazenger, Donnay) £40.00 Offers considered.

Hornchurch Tel: +44 7738 751 780 Email: pauline.twnsnd@gmail.com FOR SALE: 1 x Motocaddy Digital S3 including battery & charger.Very good condition. £150.00. 1 x Powakaddy Sport Digital including battery & charger.Very good condition. £150.00. Brentwood.

Tel: 07720 005 129.

FOR SALE: Benross Quad Speed fairway woods 13, 15, 18 & 21 degree lofts - regular flex Aldila VooDoo graphite shafts - excellent condition all with original head covers £35.00 each or £120.00 for all 4. Callaway Big Bertha driver 9 degree adjustable (tool included) - ProLaunch blue Graphalloy shaft original head cover - immaculate. £100.00.

South Woodham Ferrers. Tel: 01245 327 754.

Email: larkinjg43@gmail.com FOR SALE: Seat for Hillbilly square frame electric trolley. This comes in two parts and achors to the ground when sat on. Excellent condition. £39.00. Brentwood.

Tel: 07899 984 665 Email: richardcgregory@btconnect.com FOR SALE: GOLF BALLS AS NEW £4.00 BOX OF 10. AND anything else you need for your golf, just call me 01702 600 454 FOR SALE: Taylor Made R15 left handed driver 10.5 degrees. Condition as new, used twice!! £125. Tel: 01277 220 511 FOR SALE: Ladies Graphite Shaft X22 irons (4 iron through to Sand Wedge) New grips, shafts 1/2 inch longer as height 5' 8 ins.

Excellent clubs in very good condition, only changing as I won a new set of irons. (£299 or near offer). Romford.

Email: chriswilkins52@virginmedia.com