Steven Orr takes charge of England boys’ team

Former tour professional Steven Orr has been appointed lead coach for England’s Boys team following nine years as a regional coach on the pathway programme.

Orr, who runs his own golf academy at Rustington Golf Centre in West Sussex, takes over the role from Rob Watts following his appointment as the national men’s lead coach at the end of last year.

Since 2013, Orr has developed an exceptional track record in coaching elite players who have gone on to win the English Amateur Championship and The R&A British Amateur Championship, as well as others who have represented their country at the highest level. This impressive shortlist includes 2021 British Amateur Champion Laird Shepherd, England boys’ squad player Jack Lee, and one of the world’s leading golfers with a disability Kipp Popert.

In addition to his success in the amateur game, Steven has also coached professionally on the DP World Tour, Challenge Tour, Europro Tour and Ladies European Tour. He was voted the England Golf Coach of the year in 2016, and was the youngest ever PGA Professional to achieve Master status.

Away from coaching, Orr, has recently completed a seven-year doctorate in Skill Acquisition, with research focused on how elite-level golfers change technique effectively, something he believes will be a big asset as he settles into his new role.

Nigel Edwards, England Golf’s performance director said: “We are thrilled that Steve has agreed to succeed Rob in what are exciting times for boys’ golf in England.

“Rob has really created an excellent culture, work ethic and attitude in the boys’ squad and this will allow Steve to continue the good work. Steve will certainly bring his own skills to the table; he is an excellent coach and will be prepared and ready to support the players.”

Motorbike vandals target Canterbury

A golf club in Kent has said bikers have caused possibly tens of thousands of pounds-worth of damage in at least four recent incidents.

Canterbury Golf Club’s chairman Steve Eeles says, in the latest attacks, motorcyclists drove onto the club’s course twice in the space of two days.

“A couple of motorbikes came along the public footpath that crosses our 7th and 9th holes and proceeded to deliberately drive across the 8th and 9th greens,” he said. “Fortunately our general manager and course manager were on site and managed to get out on the course to prevent any further damage.”

The bikers then fled, leaving a scar in the green on the course, which had to be cut out and replaced. However, the next day two bikes rode onto the fairway on the 18th hole – while golfers were playing on the course. Some golfers confronted the riders, who in return became abusive and pulled doughnuts on some of the greens and tees.

It left yet more expensive damage to be fixed on the course, which is in a conservation area and designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

“The second incident was much more serious as the motorbike riders had a total disregard for golfers’ safety,” added Eeles. “They have caused thousands, if not tens of thousands of pounds of damage and have left members, staff and local golfers feeling threatened.”

The club boss added members were feeling frustrated with the lack of support given by the authorities. “Despite reporting at least five such incidents to the police in the last two to three months, nothing appears to have been done,” he added.

General manager Roger Hyder said he was worried future incidents may result in violence between golfers and the bikers. “Our overriding concern is that members will take matters into their own hands in protecting themselves and what they feel is their property should they feel threatened,” he explained. “Obviously we discourage any such action from our members and visiting golfers, but in the heat of the moment you do worry.”

Bognor Regis relocation plans rumble on

Plans to relocate Bognor Regis Golf Club to an alternative site nearby in order to make way for a new housing development are moving forward, despite local opposition.

The West Sussex club, which was founded in 1892 and moved to its current site in 1922, is planning to a new 130-acre venue just north of Elmer, where developers Hallam Land Management have said it would make for a ‘cultural and recreational asset’. Meanwhile the club’s venue in Felpham could be converted into a 480-home property development occupying a third of the land currently occupied by the golf course.

The club’s landowner, Nick Adames, plans to use the money from the sale to build a brand new 27-hole facility to ensure the long-term future of the 130-year-old club. A statement on the club’s website says the current course, which measures just over 6,200 yards from the back tees, is too short by modern standards, while the site’s clay subsoil

Ceri Menai-Davis honoured with PGA award for charity work following family loss

Ceri Menai-Davis, a director at The Shire London, has been named as the 2022 recipient of The PGA’s Toby Sunderland Award in recognition of his outstanding charity work following the death of his six-year-old son, Hugh.

In October 2020, Hugh was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft-tissue cancer where tumours can develop in any part of the body. Over the following six months he bravely underwent extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. In May the following year, he rang the bell at Addenbrooke’s Hospital to signal the end of his treatment as an inpatient. Tragically, Hugh suffered has made drainage an issue in recent years, with heavy rain causing the course to be closed during prolonged wet periods.

“Our current site has many limitations which are holding the club back from growing and improving the facilities we can offer our members,” the statement says. “The club currently enjoys a full membership, but with an ever-growing number of applicants on the waiting list to join, more capacity is needed. Our current site is only 97 acres, which is extremely small for an 18-hole course, while the driving range is only 180 yards long. The land on our boundaries is not available to facilitate expansion.”

It added: “The original barn part of our clubhouse is over 150 years old and is no longer operationally fit for purpose. Energy efficiency is very low and with sustainability and ongoing price increases, the facility is becoming very expensive to run. The interior design is extremely dated and not suitable for a modern, progressive facility.”

The club has taken on the services of leading golf course design company European Golf Design to build the new 18-hole course, with Gary Johnston, who designed Dubai Hills, winner of the Best New Course in the World in 2019, an aggressive relapse in late summer and died on September 18, less than three weeks after his sixth birthday.

It was the worst of times for Ceri, his wife Frances and their family. And yet out of such sorrow, the Hertford couple have created something very special. They established a charity called ‘It’s Never You’, which supports parents of children with cancer. The charity has already raised over £200,000 and at its hub is an app (The Children’s Cancer Platform), promoted in a growing number of children’s hospitals, which has assisted in growing a community of parents just like Ceri and Frances. And for the Menai-Davis family, It’s Never You is acting as a powerful legacy for Hugh through which his courage and kindness live on each day.

“I am humbled and thrilled to have been named as the winner of the 2022 Toby Sunderland Award,” said Ceri, who was presented with his award at a recent Regional leading the project. A 9-hole, par 3 course is also planned for the new site, along with a 15-bay driving range with ball tracking technology, and a new purpose-built clubhouse.

“The new facilities we are hoping to build will be the benchmark for clubs in the local area and beyond,” the club’s statement concludes. “They will be built to such a high standard that they will attract visitors from all around the country to our local area and we will be proud to continue to operate them under the name of Bognor Regis Golf Club.”

Members’ Meeting for PGA Professionals at Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club. “It was a nice surprise when I learnt that I had been nominated for it by the PGA in England, East region. But to find out that I am the overall recipient of the award is a little overwhelming. It’s also correct to say that this feels like a joint award because my wife Frances has been every bit as involved in driving forward ‘It’s Never You’, since we decided to start it. We wanted to create something positive that could provide support to families when they needed it most – and also to serve as a legacy to Hugh’s heart and courage.” More than 100 families have downloaded the It’s Never You app, and Ceri wants others to help raise funds and awareness. He added: “It has been so uplifting to be part of ‘It’s Never You’ as it’s grown and see the great impact it is having up and down the country. If any PGA Member knows of any child or any parents going through cancer, please get in contact with us. We can be that supportive rock for them that they need.”