Latest News - 2007

Annual Dinner
	The Annual Dinner will be held at Hinckley Golf Club on the 15th February 2008. Tickets priced at £27.00 and are available from Tony Beasley. Contact 01455 239641
L&RGU wish all golfers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

COUNTY CARD SCHEME SET TO EXPAND FOR 2008 SEASON

The County Union is delighted to announce that talks with Kent, Essex, Bedfordshire, BB & O, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex, Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Cambridgeshire Golf Unions have been successful and that our prestigious County Card will be accepted next year at their counties' preferential green fee rates, increasing our existing 5 County Group, L & R GU, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, into to a new increased group of 17/19 Counties, with some 550 + clubs participating.

 Members of our participating clubs wishing to visit, whether on business, holiday or just for a game, may shortly have the advantage of these vastly reduced rates at some of the best courses in England, similar we may expect reciprocal visits from their members.

The new card will be available for use from 1st April.

Do you wish to enjoy these benefits, if so, is your club a participating member, if not, why not? Please encourage your club to join us!

for list of provisional participating Counties and clubs please click here.

Ian Lyner, Teaching Professional at The Leicestershire Golf Club and his Amateur partner Mark Palmer, pictured with Club Captain David Caines, receive the County Pro Am Foursome Trophies from County President Tom Finn after their win over Scraptoft Professional Simon Wood and his Amateur partner     Ian Hine.

The Leicestershire pair received 1 shot per round from their opponents and made good use of the shot to lead by 1 hole at the lunch time interval.

The afternoon round saw a dramatic change, The Leicestershire raced into a 4 hole lead by the turn, the match was all over at the 32nd hole, after a half in 3 left The Leicestershire pair clear winners by 5/4.

                                      for full details and rounds, please click here

Kieran Thomas, Hinckley Golf Club, pictured after his fine win in the County Club Champion of Champions Tournament, receives the Millennium Trophy from County President Tom Finn late in the evening gloom. The event was held at Glen Gorse Golf Club, this was the second occasion in which Kieran has won this relatively new event.

Kieran, after shooting a first round 73, was tied in third place after the morning round, 3 shots adrift of Richard Wells, Beedles Lake, after his 2 under par 70.

The afternoon was a real turning point for both of these players, Kieran improving his score with an afternoon 5 under par 67 to race home ahead of Richard by 4 shots.

Matt Stephens, tied joint third after the morning round, finished in third place overall with another steady 73 being added to his earlier 73.  Adam Dalby, Birstall, second after the morning round, finished in 4th place.

                                                                  for full result, please click here

County Team, pictured at Cleveland Golf Club where they finished in Second place in the English Golf Union County Team Finals.

Pictured L to R are back row, Jason Palmer, Matt Bolton, Martin Anderson, David Gibson, Liam Plant, seated front row, Jake Amos, non playing County Captain Philip Thomason and Sam Mayfield.

Day one saw the team beat Hampshire, Isle of Wight & Channel Islands GU in a very exciting match by 5.5 - 3.5

Day two brought another win against Wiltshire Golf Union by 5 - 4, Wiltshire were making their debut in the finals.

Day three and a very tense and nervous final match against the formidable Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs, who were appearing on home territory and included a Cleveland player in their side.

County lead the match after the morning foursomes by 2-1, leading in the afternoon up to the turn, victory narrowly eluded them, several matches going to the last green only to lose out again by 3.5 - 5.5.

Overall placings, 1st Yorkshire, 2nd L & R GU, 3rd Hampshire, 4th Wiltshire.            Day 1 Results        Day 2 Results           Day 3 Results

                                       Click here to see full slide show of final

HINCKLEY GOLF CLUB LATEST CLUB TO JOIN THE INTER COUNTY CARD SCHEME

The County Mixed Foursomes Champions for 2007, Beedles Lake Golf Club, receive their Trophy from County President Tom Finn after their triumph over Lutterworth Golf Club in the finals played this year at The Luffenham Heath Golf Club.

Pictured left to right are Beedles Lake Club Captain John Payne, Players Richard Wells, Chloe Dexter, Linda Bramley and Mark Stimpson.

In the top match, Richard and Chloe were away to a flying start, winning their morning match against Chris Wormleighton and Kathie Slater by 8 Up, in the afternoon the lead increased steadily until their match finished overall 10 Up. 

In the second match, Mark and Linda playing against Philip Meakin and Maggie Deere trailed at the lunchtime interval by 3 holes, the afternoon round remained all square, therefore this match finished 3 Up to Lutterworth, an overall result of 7 Up to Beedles Lake.

This was the first time for Beedles Lake in a County Final.        for full scores please click here

The County Men's Foursomes Champions for 2007, Lutterworth Golf Club are pictured here after their successful finals match win against Kilworth Springs GC. Club Captain Mike Perry proudly receives the shield from County President Tom Finn after his teams success,  finals were played this year at The Leicestershire Golf Club.

Players pictured left to right are Andy Potts, playing partners Daren Peace and Matt Horten, and finally Josh Holmes, Andy's playing partner.

In the first pairing Andy and Josh were all square after their morning round playing against Sam Mayfield and his partner Tom Gilbert, in the afternoon session the score remained the same leaving the match to be decided by the second pairing. Daren and Matt had emerged as 2 up leaders in the morning round over the other pairing for Kilworth of Jack Mayfield and David Evrall.  The afternoon proved to be quite tense, played in a strong blustery wind, both teams played steady competitive golf, with several remarkable recovery shots coming from both sides. Lutterworth second pairing however gradually proved to be the stronger side and slowly increased their morning lead until they finally ran out. after the 36 hole match, as 5 Up winners, making the combined team score of 5 Up, to take the trophy for the 3rd Time in the Club's history, the 2 previous occasions being in 1957 and in 1971, when they performed a remarkable achievement and won all 3 County titles, Men, Mixed and Pro-Am.

for full result please click here

Melton Mowbray Junior Golf Team receive the Junior League trophy from Immediate Past President Michael Potter, Birstall, after their success in the League finals played at Lingdale Golf Club.

Pictured left to right are Nick Pattinson, Past President Mike Potter, Dale Radford, Chris Hibbert (Captain), Matt Gayton, Sam Pollard, Kieran Foster, Catherine Smith.

Melton Mowbray, Forest Hill, Hinckley and Scraptoft teams had battled through to win their respective leagues during the summer, before coming to the grand final at Lingdale Golf Club.

In the morning semi finals, Hinckley were drawn to play Scraptoft, after 18 holes the match finished all square, 3-3, and the Number one player from each team played a sudden death playoff, Oliver Griffin, Hinckley won after 3 extra holes over Tom James, Scraptoft, to lead Hinckley into the afternoon finals. In the other match, Melton Mowbray were comfortable winners 4-2 over Forest Hill.

The 3/4th playoff saw Scraptoft narrowly defeat Forest Hill 3.5/2.5, whilst Melton Mowbray took on Hinckley for the championship. At the end of this tense match both teams were tied on 3-3 and once again a sudden death playoff was needed to decide the Championship. Kieran Foster, Melton Mowbray took on his opposite No 1 Oliver Griffin, who was playing his second sudden death of the day, unfortunately this time he was unsuccessful, Kieran hitting a magnificent drive on the second hole saw Melton emerge as the Champion Junior Club for Leicestershire and Rutland and now go forward to represent the County in the EGU finals to be held at Spalding Golf Club in October. Melton, Hinckley and Scraptoft will also go forward to represent the County at Junior Team Finals at Frilford Heath GC.

for league results please click here.                   for full finals report please click here.

County President Tom Finn, Melton Mowbray,  presents the trophies to the 2007 John Cheatle Invitation Foursomes winners Roger Deeney and Mike Davies, Hinckley Golf Club, after their success in the Annual event, traditionally held at Rothley Park Golf Club.

The event this year attracted a record return in acceptances of the personal invitations sent out by the current County President, with play continuing late into the Autumn afternoon and some fine nett scores were returned in this tough format, a strong field also chased the gross prizes.

for prize winners please click here

Pictured right, U14 Boys County Team Captain, Matthew Dyke, (Kibworth) receives the 4 Counties Team Trophy from County Junior Organiser David Hylins after the County's fine win in the Inaugural match, played at Charnwood Forest Golf Club. 

Matthew who started his golf at Humberstone Heights and is now also a member at Kibworth, plays off a handicap of 8. Commenting on his day, Matthew stated he was delighted his team had won the event, he enjoyed his team's performance immensely but was slightly disappointed with his own game.

The event, to become a regular part of the County calendar, played between L&R GU, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire and Cambridgeshire took place in atrocious weather conditions, with driving rain for most of the day. David praised the players highly for the way in which the team handled the conditions and for the spirit in which the whole match was played. 

The team, which mainly consisted of the same players that played in the Broughton Heath  MGU 10 Counties event, in which they finished in 4th place, comprised players from the newly formed U14 elite training squad, selected and coached during the winter by Professional Neil Curtis at Melton Mowbray Golf Club.

Prize winners in the Annual Leicester Mercury Cup are pictured after the late finish at Kilworth Springs Golf Club. The Winning Nett Prize went to 55yr old Eric Macintyre, a relatively new member of Lingdale Golf Club, a Loughborough University head of department, with his net score of  85 - 17 = 68, after a tie with John Briers, Oadby, on 73 - 5 = 68. The event was decided on a play off, first hole halved in nett 4s, Par 3s at the second and Eric winning on the 3rd with his 5 nett 4, after John was bunkered for his 5. In his winning speech, Eric praised his opponent and stated that after being out of the game for several years, how delighted he was to win the event.

The "in form" Sam Mayfield, Kilworth Springs, was the Gross Winner with his superb 68, Sam birdied 3,7,8,9,10 and 15, bogeyed 12 and 18 to end up 4 under for his round.

Prize winners are pictured left to right, Michael Livie, Western Park, John Briers, Eric Macintyre, County President Tom Finn presenting the awards, Sam Mayfield, Richard Wells, Beedles Lake and Mick Brookes, Glen Gorse. Congratulations also go to Richard Wells and his wife, new parents to a very premature baby girl, Richard says she is not yet the weight of a bag of sugar but she is now doing well!  

Full result here

Ian Lyner, Professional, The Leicestershire Golf Club, displays the County Open Championship Salver and the Frank Weston Trophy for the leading professional after winning the annual tournament this year held at the Birstall Golf Club. The Professionals in the Annual event, are generously sponsored each year by The Mark Group, a well know National Insulation company.  Ian is pictured with Leading Amateur Sam Mayfield, Kilworth Springs, who wins the Society of Leicester Captains Silver Salver, County President Tom Finn, Kathleen Cottingham, Finance Director Mark Group, who received a bouquet from Simon Wood, Chairman of Leicestershire and Rutland PGA

The event was severely curtailed by a storm in the afternoon, which seriously flooded the greens, the event being restricted to the morning round only as no further play was possible in the remaining part of the afternoon.

Ian started the day in tremendous fashion, his opening score of 65 leading by 2 shots from fellow professional Craig Shave, Whetstone, followed by Sam on 68.

The afternoon started in a rush with Jason Palmer, first out, being 4 under when the heavens opened on him on the 13th green, players were left with mixed feels as to whether it would be possible to restart, but with the light fading and 2 groups still to start their second round, play was abandoned, Ian's rain dance proving to be the highlight of his day!

full result click here

County Seniors 6 Man Team, pictured left, after their outstanding performance in the Midland Golf Union EGU Regional Qualifier held at Shrewsbury Golf Club. The Team finished Runners up to host County Shropshire and Herefordshire.

The event, in which the best 5 scores count from six, was the County's highest finish since the introduction of the EGU finals. Pictured Left to Right are, Non Playing Captain Tony Harper, Lutterworth, David Wardle Rothley Park, Neil Pearson, Glen Gorse, Alan Simmons, Lutterworth, Nick Walley, Cosby, County President Tom Finn, Melton Mowbray, Clive Patrick, Lingdale, Charles Parker, County Seniors Organiser, Rothley Park and Peter Pendlebury, Kirby Muxloe.

The team put in an outstanding performance, total score 382 to finish in second place out of the 10 Midland Counties taking part.

for full details please click here

Jason Palmer, Kirby Muxloe, enjoys his moment whilst receiving the prestigious Leicestershire Fox from the County President, after his outstanding win at the Annual event, held at Willesley Park Golf Club. The event is a Midland Order of Merit event. Jason was quoted as saying his home season had not been too successful so far this year and he was really proud to have won the event for the second time in his short career, a career which has seen him win the Italian Amateur Championship and this winter represent the EGU out in Australia for 5 months.

Jason's morning score of 67 gave him a 1 shot lead over his County colleague David Gibson, Cosby,  but the 3rd hole of the afternoon round proved to be a big turning point in Jason's favour, his eagle 3 on the Par 5, against a 6 for David widened the gap which proved impossible to close. Jason finished with a 66, total 133, against David's scores of 68 and 69, total 137. Thomas Fernandes, Sudbury, a student at an American University was in 3rd place.

Other past winners of the event, Paul Dixon and Derek Verey, both of the home club, also played in the event.

for full result click here

Junior Strokeplay Championship Winner, Peter Livie, Western Park, pictured left, and Matchplay Winner, Joe Beatty, Scraptoft, pictured right, receiving their trophies from County President Tom Finn after their respective wins in the County Junior Strokeplay and Matchplay events, held at The Leicestershire Golf Club. Also pictured right is the beaten finalist Ashley Mason, 14 yrs, a member of Glen Gorse.

Peter was the overall winner of the stroke play, with his fine score of 73, 67 total of 140, the top 16 available players qualified for the matchplay over the next 2 days, Peter unfortunately went out in the second round losing to the eventual winner Joe. Joe went on to defeat Chris Lager before meeting Ashley in the final. Meanwhile Ashley was putting up a heroic performance beating notable scalps in Oliver Bennett, Cosby, England School Internationals Martin Anderson, Kibworth and Michael Reed, Birstall, winner of the Men's' Wykes Bowl, before losing on the last green with the last putt of the day to Joe. Some remarkable golf was played by all over the 3 days, but finals day was spectacular with some fine putting and sand saves. 

for full results click here               and here

The County Boys Age Group Championships, an Annual event for Junior Nett Golfers was held at Lutterworth Golf Club, Ruben Parmar, The Leicestershire Golf Club, emerged the overall winner with his fine score of 73 -10 = 63 , Runner up for the Nett event was A. Bonser, Market Harborough with his score of 93 - 28 = 65. The Age group winners were U12, J. Parmar, The Leicestershire, brother of Ruben, U14, S. Skerratt, Lutterworth, U16, R. Hickman, Glen Gorse, U18, S. Moxon, Kibworth.

The winner received the Rae Spillane Memorial Trophy.

for full result click here

Seniors Champion Eddie Hammond, Kirby Muxloe, receives the Trophy from County President after his fine win in the blustery conditions at Rothley Park Golf Club, due to the previous severe weather causing flooding to the course, the course had to be shortened slightly, 18th being played as a Par 4.

Eddie won the event 1 week before his 73rd birthday, he now has won the event 5 times since the event started in 1997, his success was remarkable as he is suffering from severe back pains and could only just manage to hobble round the course, in his acceptance speech, he intimated that he may need to have further treatment to his back if he is to continue.

Ian Harris, The Luffenham Heath was runner up with a fine 77 and Bill Dixon, also Kirby Muxloe, was third with 78

Kirby Muxloe took the Trophy for Seniors Champion Club, their team of Eddie, Bill and John Shipman totaled a score of 245

for full result please click here

County Matchplay Championship took place at Market Harborough over a 2 day period.

Pictured are the Winner Michael Reed and Runner Up Scott Wormleighton, Birstall. Michael, a County Junior, is also a member of Birstall Golf Club, is seen receiving the Wykes Bowl from County President Tom Finn.

Michael's success included wins in the first round over Josh Holmes, Lutterworth, in the quarter final he beat Richard Binnie, The Leicestershire and in the semi final he took the scalp of Jason Palmer, Kirby Muxloe, winning 1 Up. In the final Michael finished a 5 and 4 winner over Scott.

Scotts passage to the final included wins over Paul Dixon, Willesley Park, Curtis Briggs, Longcliffe and Sam Mayfield Kilworth Springs.

full result click here

Amateur Championship, held at Longcliffe Golf Club on Sunday 1st July, the event was severely threatened by the weather and on the day of the event a huge downpour delayed the start by 2 hours. During the event, in which temporary local rules had to be introduced to ensure the event could take place, a further downpour caused a half hour delay whilst the greens were squeegeed dry. Amidst all this, David Gibson, Cosby emerged the Winner by a 1 shot margin, from Runner Up Jason Palmer, Kirby Muxloe. David has now won this event on 4 occasions, his first success was in 1987, his others 1989, 90.  The top 16 available players qualify for the County Matchplay event.

David's rounds of 71, 72 total 143, gave him the title over Jason, who's slow start of 77, followed by an outstanding 67 in the conditions, ensured a nail biting finish.

Kirby Muxloe were the Champion Club and winners of the Corah Shield, their leading players were Jason, Charlie Ford 75, 70, and Matt Stephens 75, 77.

David now goes on to represent the County Union in the EGU finals to be held at Woodhall Spa, Kirby Muxloe will represent the Union at the Champion Club finals at Hesketh, both events taking place in late September.

for full results please click here

Gardiner Cup Winner, County Junior U16 Team Manager John Holland, Kibworth, pictured with County President Tom Finn after his win in the Annual event held for Club Secretaries, Club Competition Secretaries and other County Officers. The event was originally postponed due to severe electrical storms and on the rearranged date for the event, which this year was held at Melton Mowbray Golf Club, home club of the County President, John emerged triumphant over a slightly restricted field.

for result please click here

CHAMPIONS!

The County First team are this years Midland Counties Champions and will  now go forward to represent the 10 Midland Counties at the English Golf Union County Finals, to be held this year at Cleveland Golf Club on Friday/Saturday/Sunday 28/29/30th September.

The team finished in first place in the Midland Group Qualifier on Saturday 23rd June, held at Coventry Finham Golf Club, beating the other 9 Midland Counties. Lincolnshire finished in second place 12 shots behind. In this demanding competition in which all 6 players scores count, the county surged into a commanding 13 shot lead at the end of the mornings play, with Charlie Ford, Kirby Muxloe equaling the course record with his 8 under Par score of 65. Things tightened slightly in the afternoon, our afternoon total of 432 could not quite match the fantastic morning total of 420, however the whole team kept their nerve wonderfully well with Neil Chaudhuri and David Gibson, in the 5th and 6th slots, bravely finishing in 68 and 70 respectively to ward off the opposition.

The team consisted of Jason Palmer, Kirby Muxloe, 69, 71, Charlie Ford, 65, 71, Jake Amos, Kilworth Springs, 74, 76, Sam Mayfield, also Kilworth, 73, 76, Neil Chaudhuri, The Leicestershire, 70, 68 and David Gibson, Cosby, 69, 70.

Congratulations also go to Charlie Ford, he was the individual winner and collected the Norman Russell Salver. 

L&RGU 852, Lincolnshire 864, Warwickshire 867, Shropshire and Herefordshire 870, Worcestershire 886, Nottinghamshire 893, Northamptonshire 894, Staffordshire 897, Cambridgeshire 898 and Derbyshire 904.

Captain Philip Thomason and County President Tom Finn were both delighted with the result coming in their first year in office it sets a great standard for the year. It was an extremely tough event to win, the field contained several England internationals, including Adam Myers Northamptonshire, James Crampton Lincolnshire and Matt Cryer Warwickshire.

for all scores please click here

County Junior U18 Team visited Oswestry Golf Club to compete in the MGU EGU Junior County Finals Qualifier and found the opposition too hot to handle. Playing against the might from the other 9 Midlands Counties, the team found scoring to be of the highest quality with a new course record being set by Adam Myers, Northamptonshire, with a splendid 63. Several other scores in the 60s were recorded on the day but young Greg Eason, Kirby Muxloe, proved to be the star of our team with his 2 rounds each of 69, total 138. With the best 5 from 6 scores to count, the County finished total 728 in 7th position.

 Individual scores were, George Harper, Melton Mowbray Capt, 75, 68, Martin Anderson, Kibworth 76, 72, Tom James, Scraptoft 77, 75, Peter Livie, Western Park, 80, 75, Oliver Bennett, Cosby 73, 74.

Worcestershire ran out close winners and will now go forward to represent the Midlands at the EGU Junior County Finals to be held at Royal Cromer in September, their total of 714 was enough to win, on local rule, from hosts Shropshire and Herefordshire, the dropped 6th man's score deciding the local rule. In third place was Northamptonshire 717, followed by Nottinghamshire 722, Lincolnshire 722, Warwickshire 722, L & R GU 728, Cambridgeshire 738, Staffordshire 738 and Derbyshire 754 

The F.A. Jackson Trophy winners Jacqui and Kevin Knight, Lutterworth, are pictured receiving their trophies from County President Tom Finn after the event, which this year returned to its traditional home of Lingdale Golf Club, the event was moved last year to Stapleford Park to allow for the building of the new Lingdale clubhouse.

Playing in the Greensome format event for the first time, Jacqui and Kevin, playing off a Handicap of 17, shot 85 net 68 to win on local rule from Darryl Bradshaw and Fionnagh Thompson, Beedles Lake, whose 80 - 12 = 68 gave them second prize.

The best gross score also went to Beedle's Lake players Richard Wells and his partner for the day Chloe Dexter with their score of 75        click here for leading prize winners

County First Team attended the Annual Eastern Inter Counties Foursomes, held at Seacroft Golf Club Skegness, with a slightly unusual team comprising a blend of youth and experience. Missing some of the more regular players, the team performed exceptionally well over the whole weekend, finishing Runners up to the eventual winners Cambridgeshire, winners for only the second time.

Top pairing of David Gibson and Neil Chaudhuri achieved 4.5 points out of 8, Kieran Thomas and Jeff Collington starred with 6.5 from 8, Martin Anderson and Jim Longstaff 5 from 8, Matt Bolton and Paul Dixon 4 from 8 and Richard Reed, playing with Stuart Marriott 2 from 4 and Richard playing with Adam Dalby 1.5 from 4, to give a grand total of 23.5 points.

9 Counties take part in this event, each county plays in 4 foursomes matches against 2 others, rotating until all counties have completed a round robin. The final scores for the event were Cambridgeshire 26, L & RGU 23.5, Bedfordshire 23, Suffolk 20, Norfolk, 19.5, Northamptonshire 19, Lincolnshire 17.5, Essex 17.5, Hertfordshire 16.

David Gibson, Cosby, gets the season underway with his fine win in the 2007 Spring Tournament, pictured here receiving the Robin Fraser Trophy from new County President Tom Finn, Melton Mowbray. David has now won this event 4 times.

This early season 72 hole event, traditionally played as the county trial, played the first 36 holes this year at Glen Gorse and the second 36 at Kirby Muxloe Golf Courses, proved to be a real challenge to the players, the strong winds making for a tough competition, especially on Saturday when near gale force strength winds made the long finishing par 4s almost unreachable in 2.

Matt Bolton, also Cosby, lead the field after round 1, with his 71, and repeated his score in round 2 to lead David by 2 shots, against David's 73 and 71. Martin Anderson, Kibworth, had the best score of the day 70 in his second round.

Sunday saw the wind drop slightly, David powered his way ahead shooting a morning round of 71 followed by his afternoon 72 to dash any hopes Matt had of taking the title from his club mate, Matt finished with rounds of 74 and 78 to trail David by 7 shots, David's total of 287, against Matt's 294 with Sam Mayfield, Kilworth Springs, finishing 3rd on 295, Martin Anderson on 298 was 4th and Liam Plant, also Cosby, in 5th with 301 after a disastrous opening round of 80.  for full result click here

WELCOME TO RUTLAND WATER GOLF COURSE AND CLUB.

 RUTLAND WATER GC. BECOMES THE 32nd CLUB IN THE UNION, AND WILL OPEN FOR PLAY AS AN 18 HOLE COURSE IN MAY, TEMP SSS 72, MEASURING 6816 YDS, A NEW BACK 9 HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTED AND TOGETHER WITH THE EXTENDED EXISTING FRONT NINE WILL FORM A VERY GOOD GOLF CHALLENGE. THE COURSE PROVIDES FINE VIEWS OVER RUTLAND WATER.

ALSO FEATURED IS A 9 HOLE PAR 3 COURSE AND A DRIVING RANGE.        MEMBERSHIPS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

     Last updated 23rd December 2007