The South Staffordshire Golf Club
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South Staffs Harry Vardon Men's Open
Sunday 23rd August 2009
The South Staffs Harry Vardon Men's Open was played in very testing conditions on Sunday 23rd August. Over 90 players from clubs throughout the area competed for the coveted trophy presented to the Club by last years Men's and Ladies' Captains John and Helen Gough, in recognition of 100 years of golf on the club's Harry Vardon designed course.
Carter holds on to win Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship
Craig Shave won the PTS Invitational at South Staffordshire with possibly the longest and probably the most significant putt of his career.
That the 30-foot putt came on the first play-off hole against the defending champion Paul Wesselingh and the Midland Order of Merit leader Lee Clarke merely added to the drama.
It took an eternity to drop and then Shave had to wait for a few agonising moments as Clarke attempted an equally long putt to force another play-off hole. It stayed above ground and the Whetstone pro breathed a sigh of relief – the title was his!
"It was nice to sink that putt," said Shave. "At the end of my round [before the play-off] I had been nervous over a four-footer so to make that one to win was special."
Shave, who finished on six-under-par 207 with rounds of 70, 67 and 70, admitted to playing steady if unspectacular golf over three days of competition on an uncompromising South Staffordshire track.
At one stage it all looked to be unravelling for the second time in a fortnight.
Last week, in the Glazerite Trophy at Wellingborough – the season’s first Order of Merit event – Shave had arrived at the final hole eight under par and poised for victory. But he blew it off the tee, twice finding water, finishing with a triple bogey seven and third place.
Yesterday he teed up on the last hole seven under par for the tournament but his drive landed under a sapling fir tree and in rabbit scrapings. Sweet relief came from a PGA official who awarded him a free drop.
"I hit a good tee shot, but it didn’t draw and kicked right behind a tree. But I got a lucky rabbit scrape. I hit a good wedge but didn’t get the bounce and then had a tricky little chip shot over the bunker and an awkward four-footer for the win.
"To be fair, I was shaking a little bit over that one."
He missed it, carding a bogey, but it was enough for a place in the three-way play-off which he played to perfection.
"I was lucky to get a second go at it, honestly."
Shave, who won the Assistants Order of Merit title last year, is focusing on the OOM this year hoping to open doors to European Tour events and the Srixon PGA Professional Play-Offs. He hopes this is a springboard to greater things.
“I have been struggling all winter and am not hitting it great... just getting it round. I have a bit of work to do.”
Clarke, the Beeston Fields pro, was philosophical in defeat, conceding “you can’t win them all”. Having arrived at the play-off hole with identical scores to Shave, it was just a putt too far on the last.
"Craig deserved to win with that putt. It was superb," he added.
Mark Mouland (Nailcote Hall Hotel) who, like Wesselingh, is a veteran of the full Tour and now has his eye on joining the seniors, had to settle for fourth place after narrowly failing to force his way into a the play-off.
The 48-year-old played some exemplary golf until the 177-yard, par three 15th hole where he tugged his tee shot left and took double bogey.
Looking out of contention he needed some magic which he duly got on the 16th – a 492-yard, par five – where he found the green in two and required just one putt for an eagle. A birdie on either of the remaining holes would have kept him in it but it wasn’t to be.
Eddie Vernon, from Burton-on-Trent, closed with a level par 71 for a four-under-par total of 209 and outright fifth spot.
Former Ryder Cup player David Gilford (Trentham Park), who along with Wesselingh (Kedleston Park) and Mouland proved the wise old heads could still run with the young bucks, finished tied sixth alongside Hinckley’s Jason Powell on three-under with Cameron Clark (Moor Hall) trailing home a shot further back.
Simon Lilly, runner-up at Wellingborough last week, had resorted to a belly putter for the first time in a bid to cure his nightmares of the first two days. He closed with a 69 to restore some sense of respectability to what he described as a “bad week” finishing alongside Neil Evans (Greetham Valley) on one under par.
Single Minded England Boys Beat Scots5th October 2008
The future of English and Scottish golf was showcased when England beat Scotland 8-2 in their weather-curtailed boys Under 16 International at South Staffs Golf Club (photo courtesy of Tom Ward).
South Staffs Director of Golf, Peter Baker; himself a former England School Boy International and twice England Boys Champion before going on to achieve both Walker Cup and Ryder Cup honours said; "This is a tremendous honour for the Club and we are grateful to the English Golf Union for asking us to host this annual ten-a-side match, especially as this year we celebrate 100 years of golf on our Harry Vardon designed course here at Danescourt."
Heavy overnight rain, which persisted throughout the morning, forced the cancellation of the five foursomes matches but it relented sufficiently for the ten singles to take place with a shot gun start in the afternoon.
Although Chris Lloyd lost the top single to Andrew McLachlan, England generally held the upper hand and raced to a comfortable victory, losing only one other contest.
There were solid victories by Lincolnshire's James Burnett, Warwickshire's Jamie Carney, both new caps, and from Cumbria's Sebastian Crookall-Nixon. Ross Storrier secured Scotland's only other success with a win over Harry Casey.
Results (English names first):
Chris Lloyd lost to Andrew McLachlan 4&3;
Adam Carson bt Paul McPhee 1 hole;
Oscar Sharpe bt Jack Scott 1 hole;
Billy Downing bt Conor O'Neil 3&1;
Liam Harper bt Liam Johnston 3&1;
James Carney bt Scott Gibson 4&3;
Sebastian Crookall-Nixon bt Shaun Connor 4&3;
Harry Casey lost to Ross Storrier 4&3;
Jack Heasman bt Calum Stewart 3&1;
James Burnett bt Rodger Clarke 5&4
- ENDS -
Sunday 23rd August 2009
The South Staffs Harry Vardon Men's Open was played in very testing conditions on Sunday 23rd August. Over 90 players from clubs throughout the area competed for the coveted trophy presented to the Club by last years Men's and Ladies' Captains John and Helen Gough, in recognition of 100 years of golf on the club's Harry Vardon designed course.
In the photograph from left to right; John Gough, (last years SSGC Men's Captain); Mark Guy, (3rd place); Ian Guest, (Vardon Trophy Winner); Howard Percival, (2nd place) and Philip Sims (SSGC Vice Captain).
Results
Best Gross Score: Ian Guest (SSGC) 74
Single Figure Golfer Best Net: Ian Guest (SSGC) 74-4-70
Net Scores:
Net Scores:
1st: Neil Shinebaum (Calderfields G.C.C.) 75-5-70
2nd: Howard Percival (SSGC) 84-12-72
3rd: Mark Guy (SSGC) 77-5-72
4th: Keith Fletcher (Coventry Hearsall G.C.) 87-14-73
5th: Adam White (SSGC) 76-3-73
Best Stableford Score outside main prizes: Mike Perks (Penn G.C.) 34pts
Longest Drive on 16th: Chris Lythgoe (Oxley Park G.C.)
Nearest the Pin on 6th: Nick Rogers (SSGC)
Nearest the Pin on 6th: Nick Rogers (SSGC)
Carter holds on to win Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship 5th - 6th August 2009
South Staffordshire Golf Club professional Steve Carter has won the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship at rain soaked Nailcote Hall, beating David Hutton, by a single stroke after a fraught 18 holes of golf in damp and dank conditions.
“This is without doubt my biggest win,” said Carter. There were a lot of really good players here who perhaps would be expected to do a lot better than me, so to contend with good players is what I want to do. I think I will go to the Tour Qualifying School for sure now. I can afford it!”
Indeed he can after claiming £5,000 in coins as the top prize and the coveted Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship trophy.
Carter, part of the last group to go out in the rain-affected first round played the tough short course almost to perfection, carding six birdies and dropping just two shots in his two loops of nine, fired a superb four-under-par 50 to take the outright lead from a chasing pack that included Tommy Horton, one of the grandest names in British golf, Tony Jacklin, the legendary two-times Major winner, a clutch of former Ryder Cup players and a group of European Tour players that included Graeme Storm, Lee Slattery and Robert Dinwiddie for whom the demands of Nailcote's fabulous Cromwell Course proved more than a slight challenge.
His final round, he admits, was a nervous affair not least because he started the day leading the tournament on four under par just as the fine morning sunshine turned to grey, leaden skies.
“I was really nervous all day but was delighted to hit the first green which settled me down a bit.
“I had a great run down 10, 11 and 12 with birdie, birdie, birdie and then I knew I had a little bit of a cushion and I needed!”
With Hutton, safely in the clubhouse on one under par after rounds of 57 and 50 and Andrew Collison, the pro from Bungay and Waveney Valley Golf Club, in Suffolk, matching him shot for shot for much of the last round he did well to keep his concentration.
Three putted the 13th, scored bogey on 14 but made a great save on 16 from the bunker, chipping out to three feet and knocking it in.
“On the last hole I took a club less. I didn’t want to go into the pond at the back so hit it to front edge knowing I had three putts to win and decided to take all three!”
Last month the 30-year-old won the Parque da Floresta Midland Masters crown for his first Midland Order of Merit title which until yesterday was his best victory.
“This tops it particularly considering the company I have been keeping this week.”
“This is without doubt my biggest win,” said Carter. There were a lot of really good players here who perhaps would be expected to do a lot better than me, so to contend with good players is what I want to do. I think I will go to the Tour Qualifying School for sure now. I can afford it!”
Indeed he can after claiming £5,000 in coins as the top prize and the coveted Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship trophy.
Carter, part of the last group to go out in the rain-affected first round played the tough short course almost to perfection, carding six birdies and dropping just two shots in his two loops of nine, fired a superb four-under-par 50 to take the outright lead from a chasing pack that included Tommy Horton, one of the grandest names in British golf, Tony Jacklin, the legendary two-times Major winner, a clutch of former Ryder Cup players and a group of European Tour players that included Graeme Storm, Lee Slattery and Robert Dinwiddie for whom the demands of Nailcote's fabulous Cromwell Course proved more than a slight challenge.
His final round, he admits, was a nervous affair not least because he started the day leading the tournament on four under par just as the fine morning sunshine turned to grey, leaden skies.
“I was really nervous all day but was delighted to hit the first green which settled me down a bit.
“I had a great run down 10, 11 and 12 with birdie, birdie, birdie and then I knew I had a little bit of a cushion and I needed!”
With Hutton, safely in the clubhouse on one under par after rounds of 57 and 50 and Andrew Collison, the pro from Bungay and Waveney Valley Golf Club, in Suffolk, matching him shot for shot for much of the last round he did well to keep his concentration.
Three putted the 13th, scored bogey on 14 but made a great save on 16 from the bunker, chipping out to three feet and knocking it in.
“On the last hole I took a club less. I didn’t want to go into the pond at the back so hit it to front edge knowing I had three putts to win and decided to take all three!”
Last month the 30-year-old won the Parque da Floresta Midland Masters crown for his first Midland Order of Merit title which until yesterday was his best victory.
“This tops it particularly considering the company I have been keeping this week.”
Steve's wallet was swelled by £500 after he and Paul Cavill, a 14 handicaper, came home first in the team event with nett rounds of 46 and 46 for a 16-under par total of 92, one shot clear of Nick James and Aaron Rai, the prodigious teenager.
Phillip Archer, who finished alongside Matthew Morris on level par, was best of the European Tour pros with Sam Walker, of the Challenge Tour, hot on his heels on one over par after rounds of 56 and 53.
The Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship, celebrating its 76th year since its inception in 1933 at the Palace Hotel, Torquay, brings together the cream of the Midland professionals, European Tour and pros and Challenge Tour pros.
Phillip Archer, who finished alongside Matthew Morris on level par, was best of the European Tour pros with Sam Walker, of the Challenge Tour, hot on his heels on one over par after rounds of 56 and 53.
The Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship, celebrating its 76th year since its inception in 1933 at the Palace Hotel, Torquay, brings together the cream of the Midland professionals, European Tour and pros and Challenge Tour pros.
Photo: Courtesy of Peter Blanchflower
Captain's Charity Pro-Am
17th July 2009
Captain's Charity Pro-Am was unfortunately curtailed due to torrential rain stopping play with some teams still out on the course. The result was restricted to the 11 holes which all professionals had completed.
Profesional Event after 11 holes.
1= (68) -3. Lee Clarke Beeston Fields G.C; Mathew Morris, Stourbridge G.C.
3= (69) -2. Craig Swinburn, Notts G.C; Jeremy Harrold, Perton Park G.C.
5= (70) -1. Sam Walker, Unattached; Christopher Chamberlain, The Belfry; James Whatley, East Midlands Golf Academy.
8= (71) Par. Paul Wesselingh, Kedleston Park G.C; Mark Mouland, Nailcote Hall H.G. & C.C; Richard Copsey, Enville G.C.
Pro-Am Event after 11 holes.
1st 135 -7 Simon Lilly, Wellingborough G.C.
2nd 136 -6 Paul Wesselingh, Kedleston Park G.C.
3rd 136 -6 Mark Sparrow, Himley Hall G.C.
1= (68) -3. Lee Clarke Beeston Fields G.C; Mathew Morris, Stourbridge G.C.
3= (69) -2. Craig Swinburn, Notts G.C; Jeremy Harrold, Perton Park G.C.
5= (70) -1. Sam Walker, Unattached; Christopher Chamberlain, The Belfry; James Whatley, East Midlands Golf Academy.
8= (71) Par. Paul Wesselingh, Kedleston Park G.C; Mark Mouland, Nailcote Hall H.G. & C.C; Richard Copsey, Enville G.C.
Pro-Am Event after 11 holes.
1st 135 -7 Simon Lilly, Wellingborough G.C.
2nd 136 -6 Paul Wesselingh, Kedleston Park G.C.
3rd 136 -6 Mark Sparrow, Himley Hall G.C.
Sam Benton - Midland Boys Amateur Champion
16th July 2009
Carter wins Midland Masters
9th July 2009
South Staffs Professional Steve Carter wins the PGA Midland Region Order of Merit event the PDF Midland Masters at Kedleston Park Golf Club. Steve won a two hole play off against Daniel Greenwood of Forest Pines and PTS Invitational winner Graig Shave of Whetstone G.C. Craig went out on the first extra hole and Steve holed a 40 yard pitch shot for birdie to beat Daniel Greenwood on the second extra hole. Steve had completed the 36 hole event on 7 under par after rounds of 68 and 69.
Following two rounds of 73 and 70 for a one under par total of 143, South Staffs Junior member Sam Benton won the Midland Boys Amateur Championship at Kidderminster Golf Club. Sam follows in some notable footsteps as champion including some past and present South Staffs members - Kevin Hale (1997), Paul McGarry (1974) and Gerald Moore (1968). Other previous winners of this championship are David Gilford (1981) and Sandy Lyle (1972).
Carter wins Midland Masters 9th July 2009
South Staffs Professional Steve Carter wins the PGA Midland Region Order of Merit event the PDF Midland Masters at Kedleston Park Golf Club. Steve won a two hole play off against Daniel Greenwood of Forest Pines and PTS Invitational winner Graig Shave of Whetstone G.C. Craig went out on the first extra hole and Steve holed a 40 yard pitch shot for birdie to beat Daniel Greenwood on the second extra hole. Steve had completed the 36 hole event on 7 under par after rounds of 68 and 69.
Baker Secures Credit Suisse Double
5th July 2009
Former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker made history repeat itself when he won the Credit Suisse Challenge for the second time, and now heads for Open Qualifying in a final bid to secure a place for Turnberry.
Two years ago at Wylihof Golf Club in Luterbach, Switzerland, Baker won the title with a final round of 67, and the same score again carried the 41 year old Englishman to a one stroke victory over Austrian Florian Praegant. Baker becomes the first player to win the event twice and the first player over the age of 40 to win on the Challenge Tour since he himself won on his 40th birthday in 2007.
It was a close run battle with Praegant challenging all the way but Baker managed to keep his nose in front with birdies on the 15th and 17th before holing a crucial 12ft par putt on the last to deny his playing partner. Baker’s winning total of 18 under par 274 (rounds of 70, 71, 66, 67) earned him €22,400 (£18,985) and lifted him from 31st to tenth on the Challenge Tour Rankings.
"t was a tough day and Florian was very strong, especially on the back nine," said Baker, who played in The 1993 Ryder Cup at The Belfry. "But I hung in there and it came right down to the last shot."
Baker, a three-time winner on The European Tour, flies straight to Scotland and to Glasgow - Gailes Links, where he will attempt to win one of the 12 spots available through Local Final Qualifying for a place in the 138th Open Championship at Turnberry.
"I was quite tired coming into the week as this was my fourth week in a row and I just decided to put everything into the week,” he said. "This course seems to suit me. I played fantastic for the first two days but couldn’t hole a putt and but then over the weekend, while the game wasn't so good, the putts dropped. It’s a strange game sometimes.
"It might not be the best preparation for Open Qualifying but it does mean I go there with a bit of confidence and my record in Qualifying is not bad. So hopefully I will tee up next in The Open."
Baker’s victory two years ago proved the springboard to a return to The European Tour as he went on to claim a second title and finish 12th in the Rankings. Two years on the goal is exactly the same, to have another crack at the big time and secure his 24th year on Tour.
An eagle three on the fourth and birdie on the seventh set Baker on his way but Praegant hit back with birdies at the tenth, 12th and 13th. Both players birdie the 14th before Baker pulled clear with his birdies on the 15th and 17th and ultimately Praegant’s five foot birdie putt on the last for a final round of 67 and 17 under par total of 275 was not quite enough.
Former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker made history repeat itself when he won the Credit Suisse Challenge for the second time, and now heads for Open Qualifying in a final bid to secure a place for Turnberry.
Two years ago at Wylihof Golf Club in Luterbach, Switzerland, Baker won the title with a final round of 67, and the same score again carried the 41 year old Englishman to a one stroke victory over Austrian Florian Praegant. Baker becomes the first player to win the event twice and the first player over the age of 40 to win on the Challenge Tour since he himself won on his 40th birthday in 2007.
It was a close run battle with Praegant challenging all the way but Baker managed to keep his nose in front with birdies on the 15th and 17th before holing a crucial 12ft par putt on the last to deny his playing partner. Baker’s winning total of 18 under par 274 (rounds of 70, 71, 66, 67) earned him €22,400 (£18,985) and lifted him from 31st to tenth on the Challenge Tour Rankings.
"t was a tough day and Florian was very strong, especially on the back nine," said Baker, who played in The 1993 Ryder Cup at The Belfry. "But I hung in there and it came right down to the last shot."
Baker, a three-time winner on The European Tour, flies straight to Scotland and to Glasgow - Gailes Links, where he will attempt to win one of the 12 spots available through Local Final Qualifying for a place in the 138th Open Championship at Turnberry.
"I was quite tired coming into the week as this was my fourth week in a row and I just decided to put everything into the week,” he said. "This course seems to suit me. I played fantastic for the first two days but couldn’t hole a putt and but then over the weekend, while the game wasn't so good, the putts dropped. It’s a strange game sometimes.
"It might not be the best preparation for Open Qualifying but it does mean I go there with a bit of confidence and my record in Qualifying is not bad. So hopefully I will tee up next in The Open."
Baker’s victory two years ago proved the springboard to a return to The European Tour as he went on to claim a second title and finish 12th in the Rankings. Two years on the goal is exactly the same, to have another crack at the big time and secure his 24th year on Tour.
An eagle three on the fourth and birdie on the seventh set Baker on his way but Praegant hit back with birdies at the tenth, 12th and 13th. Both players birdie the 14th before Baker pulled clear with his birdies on the 15th and 17th and ultimately Praegant’s five foot birdie putt on the last for a final round of 67 and 17 under par total of 275 was not quite enough.
3rd Round 66
Baker, who used a third round 66 as the platform for his successful title surge in 2007, repeated that score this time around to tie with American Nathan Smith (68) at the top of the leaderboard.
Baker, whose two Challenge Tour titles in 2007 secured a return to The European Tour, now hopes that Switzerland can be the springboard to another crack at the big-time in 2010, which will be his 24th year on Tour.
"Although the conditions this week are very different from when I won here in 2007, you can’t beat good memories of winning" said the three-time European Tour champion. "It was very wet two years ago, but the course here seems to suit my game.
"When you’ve won over a certain course, you know where to place the ball and which shots you need to play and I think that has helped me greatly this week. I played well for the first two days without getting any putts to drop, but I made a good birdie on the seventh today and then ‘stiffed’ my approach for another at the ninth. That gave me the momentum to make five birdies coming home."
Baker, who used a third round 66 as the platform for his successful title surge in 2007, repeated that score this time around to tie with American Nathan Smith (68) at the top of the leaderboard.
Baker, whose two Challenge Tour titles in 2007 secured a return to The European Tour, now hopes that Switzerland can be the springboard to another crack at the big-time in 2010, which will be his 24th year on Tour.
"Although the conditions this week are very different from when I won here in 2007, you can’t beat good memories of winning" said the three-time European Tour champion. "It was very wet two years ago, but the course here seems to suit my game.
"When you’ve won over a certain course, you know where to place the ball and which shots you need to play and I think that has helped me greatly this week. I played well for the first two days without getting any putts to drop, but I made a good birdie on the seventh today and then ‘stiffed’ my approach for another at the ninth. That gave me the momentum to make five birdies coming home."
Close Shave as Graig Wins PTS Invitational
3rd - 5th June 2009
Monster putt wins play-off at South Staffs
Monster putt wins play-off at South Staffs
Craig Shave won the PTS Invitational at South Staffordshire with possibly the longest and probably the most significant putt of his career.That the 30-foot putt came on the first play-off hole against the defending champion Paul Wesselingh and the Midland Order of Merit leader Lee Clarke merely added to the drama.
It took an eternity to drop and then Shave had to wait for a few agonising moments as Clarke attempted an equally long putt to force another play-off hole. It stayed above ground and the Whetstone pro breathed a sigh of relief – the title was his!
"It was nice to sink that putt," said Shave. "At the end of my round [before the play-off] I had been nervous over a four-footer so to make that one to win was special."
Shave, who finished on six-under-par 207 with rounds of 70, 67 and 70, admitted to playing steady if unspectacular golf over three days of competition on an uncompromising South Staffordshire track.
At one stage it all looked to be unravelling for the second time in a fortnight.
Last week, in the Glazerite Trophy at Wellingborough – the season’s first Order of Merit event – Shave had arrived at the final hole eight under par and poised for victory. But he blew it off the tee, twice finding water, finishing with a triple bogey seven and third place.
Yesterday he teed up on the last hole seven under par for the tournament but his drive landed under a sapling fir tree and in rabbit scrapings. Sweet relief came from a PGA official who awarded him a free drop.
"I hit a good tee shot, but it didn’t draw and kicked right behind a tree. But I got a lucky rabbit scrape. I hit a good wedge but didn’t get the bounce and then had a tricky little chip shot over the bunker and an awkward four-footer for the win.
"To be fair, I was shaking a little bit over that one."
He missed it, carding a bogey, but it was enough for a place in the three-way play-off which he played to perfection.
"I was lucky to get a second go at it, honestly."
Shave, who won the Assistants Order of Merit title last year, is focusing on the OOM this year hoping to open doors to European Tour events and the Srixon PGA Professional Play-Offs. He hopes this is a springboard to greater things.
“I have been struggling all winter and am not hitting it great... just getting it round. I have a bit of work to do.”
Clarke, the Beeston Fields pro, was philosophical in defeat, conceding “you can’t win them all”. Having arrived at the play-off hole with identical scores to Shave, it was just a putt too far on the last.
"Craig deserved to win with that putt. It was superb," he added.
Mark Mouland (Nailcote Hall Hotel) who, like Wesselingh, is a veteran of the full Tour and now has his eye on joining the seniors, had to settle for fourth place after narrowly failing to force his way into a the play-off.
The 48-year-old played some exemplary golf until the 177-yard, par three 15th hole where he tugged his tee shot left and took double bogey.
Looking out of contention he needed some magic which he duly got on the 16th – a 492-yard, par five – where he found the green in two and required just one putt for an eagle. A birdie on either of the remaining holes would have kept him in it but it wasn’t to be.
Eddie Vernon, from Burton-on-Trent, closed with a level par 71 for a four-under-par total of 209 and outright fifth spot.
Former Ryder Cup player David Gilford (Trentham Park), who along with Wesselingh (Kedleston Park) and Mouland proved the wise old heads could still run with the young bucks, finished tied sixth alongside Hinckley’s Jason Powell on three-under with Cameron Clark (Moor Hall) trailing home a shot further back.
Simon Lilly, runner-up at Wellingborough last week, had resorted to a belly putter for the first time in a bid to cure his nightmares of the first two days. He closed with a 69 to restore some sense of respectability to what he described as a “bad week” finishing alongside Neil Evans (Greetham Valley) on one under par.
PTS Invitational Leaderboard: 207 (-6) Craig Shave(Whetstone GC); Paul Wesselingh (Kedleston Park GC); Lee Clarke (Beeston Fields GC); 208 (-5) Mark Mouland (Nailcote Hall Hotel,G&CC); 209 (-4) Eddie Vernon (Burton on Trent); 210 (-3) David Gilford (Trentham Park GC); Jason Powell (Hinkley GC).
PTS Invitational Pro-Am Leaderboard: 128 (-14) Mathew Morris (Stourbridge GC); Daniel Taylor (Swingers GolF Centre); Cameron Clark (Moor Hall GC); 129 (-13) David Gilford (Trentham Park GC); Lee Clarke (Beeston Fields GC); 130 (-12) Steve Carter (South Staffs GC); Adam Mason Sandwell Pines GC).
PTS Invitational Pro-Am Leaderboard: 128 (-14) Mathew Morris (Stourbridge GC); Daniel Taylor (Swingers GolF Centre); Cameron Clark (Moor Hall GC); 129 (-13) David Gilford (Trentham Park GC); Lee Clarke (Beeston Fields GC); 130 (-12) Steve Carter (South Staffs GC); Adam Mason Sandwell Pines GC).
Single Minded England Boys Beat ScotsThe future of English and Scottish golf was showcased when England beat Scotland 8-2 in their weather-curtailed boys Under 16 International at South Staffs Golf Club (photo courtesy of Tom Ward).
South Staffs Director of Golf, Peter Baker; himself a former England School Boy International and twice England Boys Champion before going on to achieve both Walker Cup and Ryder Cup honours said; "This is a tremendous honour for the Club and we are grateful to the English Golf Union for asking us to host this annual ten-a-side match, especially as this year we celebrate 100 years of golf on our Harry Vardon designed course here at Danescourt."
Heavy overnight rain, which persisted throughout the morning, forced the cancellation of the five foursomes matches but it relented sufficiently for the ten singles to take place with a shot gun start in the afternoon.
Although Chris Lloyd lost the top single to Andrew McLachlan, England generally held the upper hand and raced to a comfortable victory, losing only one other contest.
There were solid victories by Lincolnshire's James Burnett, Warwickshire's Jamie Carney, both new caps, and from Cumbria's Sebastian Crookall-Nixon. Ross Storrier secured Scotland's only other success with a win over Harry Casey.
Results (English names first):
Chris Lloyd lost to Andrew McLachlan 4&3;
Adam Carson bt Paul McPhee 1 hole;
Oscar Sharpe bt Jack Scott 1 hole;
Billy Downing bt Conor O'Neil 3&1;
Liam Harper bt Liam Johnston 3&1;
James Carney bt Scott Gibson 4&3;
Sebastian Crookall-Nixon bt Shaun Connor 4&3;
Harry Casey lost to Ross Storrier 4&3;
Jack Heasman bt Calum Stewart 3&1;
James Burnett bt Rodger Clarke 5&4
- ENDS -
Harry Vardon Men's Open
Sunday 28th September 2008
To celebrate 100 years of golf on our Harry Vardon Design course the Club held its first Harry Vardon Men's Open on Sunday 28th September. 117 players took part in the event of which 38 were members of South Staffs and 79 were from other Clubs.
The stroke play tournament was won by Darren Moulden of the Chase Golf Club, playing off a handicap of 9, Darren shot a four over par 75 (Nett 66) to win by one shot from South Staffs member Mark Brennand who had led for most of the day. In third place was Mark Guy of South Staffs and the best gross score of 71 was achieved by 16 year old South Staffs member Sam Benton.
RESULTS:
1st: D. Moulden (The Chase G.C.) Nett 66
2nd: M. Brennand (South Staffs G.C.) Nett 67
3rd: M. Guy (South Staffs G.C.) Nett 68 (Back 9)
4th: D. Marshall (Druids Heath G.C.) Nett 68
5th: J. Cook (South Staffs G.C.) Nett 69 (Back 9)
Best Gross Score: S. Benton (South Staffs) 71
Best Stableford Score (Outside Main Prizes): S. Kirby (Kings Norton) 39pts
Nearest Pin (6th): R. Hewitt (South Staffs)
Longest Drive (16th): T. Hewitt (South Staffs)
Daily Telegraph Junior Golf ChampionshipsSAM BENTON
Sam Benton has qualified for the Daily Telegraph Junior Golf Championships Final in Abu Dhabi. Sam managed to claim one of the ten boys' places available out of an original entry of 41,000 players across the UK. Sam shot a gross 69 (-3) in the first round of the North of England U16 Championships at Heswall Golf Club in Liverpool to post 5 under on the national leader board as scores were taken relative to the CSS on the day which was +2.
The grand final which has seen such winners as Justin Rose and Oliver Fisher takes place at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club (host of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on the European Tour) from 21st-23rd November 2008, with the trip lasting from 17th-24th November 2008.
THE PGA INVITATIONAL
4th - 6th June 2008
South Staffordshire Golf Club staged its third PGA Midland Order of Merit Tournament - The Invitational, at the Club's Danescourt Road course from 4th to 6th June and was rewarded with three days of excellent weather and golf.
The format of the Invitational, sponsored by CH Properties and Advanced IT, is played over 3 days with the first two days of Pro-Am better ball play leading to a cut for the top 25 professionals making it through to the final day.
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South Staffs Men's Captain John Gough presents the Invitational Trophy to Paul Wesselingh. |
The professional event was won by Paul Wesselingh, at 46 quite the veteran in the field, carded a final round 68 to finish at 8 under par two shots ahead of Kettering Pro Simon Lilly and three shots clear of Steve Carter (South Staffs) and James Crompton (Kenilworth).
Lilly had held the edge in the final round, but dropped shots at the 12th and 15th cost him dear. Wesselingh, the PGA Midland Captain from Kedleston Park, held his nerve over the closing holes to clinch the title and a cheque for £1,750 with a 205 total.
"It is definitely one for the old timers," he said afterwards. "It is a real confidence boost for me because I was beginning to have doubts whether or not I still had it. I have had a bit of a lean time for the past two years since winning the Club Pros Championship in 2006 and have not been firing on all cylinders. It was getting to desperation point with scores in the mid-70s to even 80s but I have been working hard in the gym lately and was solid in the first two days."
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Amateur winner Ian Cole is flanked by (from left to right) Paul Wesselingh, PGA Midland Captain;
John Gough, South Staffs Men's Captain;
Helen Gough, South Staffs Club Captain; Ian Cole; Jon Sewell, PGA Midland Secretary;
Steve Carter, South Staffs Professional. |
Carter had nothing but praise for the condition of the course, prepared by Course Manager Rhys Thomas, he said afterwards. "The course was the best it's ever been and many of the professionals have been very complimentary, it has to be one of the best in the Midlands."
South Staffs Teaching professional Shaun Ball finished equal 17th at one over par.
PGA Invitational Leaderboard: 205 (-8) Paul Wesselingh (Kedleston Park GC); 207 (-5) Simon Lilly (Kettering GC); 208 (-5) Steve Carter (South Staffs GC); James Crompton (Kenilworth GC); 209 (-4) Nevil Bland (Brocton Hall GC); Mathew Morris (Bromsgrove GC); Scott Emery (Blankney GC).
Pro-Am Leaderboard: 124 (-18) Steve Carter (South Staffs GC) & Ian Cole; 127 (-15) Paul Streeter (Southwell GC) & Dave Dunne; 129 (-13) Kevin Hinton (Shifnal GC) & Chris Williams.