Joy for Humphreys in Joburg!

Essex tour professional Lily May Humphreys claimed her first Ladies European Tour title at the Joburg Ladies Open in South Africa.

The 20-year-old began the final day at Modderfontein Golf Club a full six shots behind overnight leader Moa Folke, but got off to a good start with two birdies in her first two holes. After dropping a shot at the third, she then got on a roll with birdies on five, eight, 13 and 14, which put her into a share of the lead. The 2021 LET Access Series Order of Merit winner then rolled in a birdie on 16 to reach a total of 12-under-par which proved to be enough to win her first LET title.

“I’m pretty speechless,” said Humphreys after the winner, which came with a €45,000 first prize. “I felt so nervous playing 18 and I just can’t believe I’ve done it. I stuck to the same game plan. I wasn’t as aggressive as other people on a few holes, it was what I felt comfortable with and what I felt was best for me and it obviously paid off for me this week.”

“On 15 I had a putt for a par when I saw that I was tied for the lead. Luckily, I holed that and then followed up with a birdie on 16 and then I didn’t know I had a two-shot lead until I was putting on 18. The nerves properly kicked in then!”

Humphreys, who is attached to Royal Norwich Golf Club, added: “I love it here in South Africa. I have loved playing the Sunshine Ladies Tour. To be where I am now is incredible. I’m excited about the rest of the season, and I’m really looking forward to what’s to come!”

Humphreys secured her first win in only her 26th event on the Ladies European Tour, and his since gone on to finish 24th in the South African Women’s Open and 19th in the Aramco Team Series in Singapore.

Lullingstone Park temporarily closes as council seeks new operator

Lullingstone Park Golf Course in Kent has been forced to close with immediate effect after the company that operates the venue went into liquidation.

Staff at the golf course received notice on March 16 that Sevenoaks Leisure Limited, the parent company of the firm that manages the facilities, Sencio, went into liquidation in the next few weeks, with workers promised they would receive further information on their situation within a fortnight.

Lullingstone Park Golf Course, which first opened in 1967, is home to two courses, the 18-hole Castle, which was designed by Fred Hawtree, and the 9-hole Park. It charges £820 for 7-day membership and £24 for weekday green fees.

As well as the golf club, Sevenoaks Leisure Centre and the Edenbridge Leisure Centre have also been closed, which are also managed by Sencio, although Sevenoaks District Council is confident that new operators will be found so that the golf course and the leisure centres can re-open in the near future. The decision puts at risk the jobs of 180 full-time staff and 30 self-employed trainers and instructors, although there is a good chance that many of the staff will be taken on by a new operator if one can be found.

Sencio received a£300,000 bailout from Sevenoaks District Council during the pandemic closures to tide it over and another £235,000 from Sport England, but the council took the decision in July 2021 to decline further requests for financial support. Instead, it said it would take the management of the centres back in-house when the firm’s current contract expired. Since then, the not-for-profit organisation has been hit again with soaring bills due to energy crisis which are high for all leisure centres.

Jane Parish, chief executive of Sencio Community Leisure, said: “In recent weeks it has become clear to us that the financial challenges we face are now insurmountable. This is a combination of the fall-out from COVID, soaring energy prices, a winter that hasn’t been kind to golf revenues, all of which have conspired against us. We’ve strived repeatedly to try and put the business back on a secure financial footing. This, we are sorry to say, has not been possible. “

Laura Trott, the MP for Sevenoaks, said: “I am hugely disappointed, but I want to reassure everyone that the golf course and leisure centres will reopen, as Sevenoaks District Council already has plans in place to bring in a new operator. While the timescale for re-opening will rest with Sencio’s insolvency partner, rather than the council, the council is doing all it can to make sure the golf club and the leisure centres re-open as quickly as possible.”