Latest News - 2008

HAVE YOU ENTERED THE MERCURY CUP,

TO BE HELD AT THE LEICESTERSHIRE GOLF CLUB 21st AUGUST?

Click here for info and Entry Form

Jason Palmer, Kirby Muxloe, won the County Amateur Championship, played at Birstall Golf Club, with his fabulous scores of 63, a new course record, followed by his second round of 68, total 131, to win by 8 shots. He was out in 28 shots, his lowest ever and felt that a 59 might be possible. The event was played in a very strong wind, with torrential rain delaying the second round after the greens became flooded.  Jason was 7 strokes clear after round 1, 6 players, David Gibson, Cosby, Sam Mayfield, Kilworth Springs, Paul Dixon, Willesley Park,  Michael Reed playing over his own course, Jim Longstaff, Park Hill and Kieran Thomas, Hinckley, were his nearest rivals on 70. David, Sam and Paul followed up, each with a second round 69, to tie second on 139.

Jason was delighted to have won this event, after a fantastic week to remember, having helped the county 6 man team to an outstanding 24 shot win at Chesterfield GC to qualify for the EGU County Finals, he then followed this up next day with a win in the Coventry Finham Bowl, a Midland Order of Merit event, after a play off. He then proceeded on Friday to Retford GC for his first round in the Midland Open Amateur Championship, later that day he moved to Worksop for his second round and next day took the title in his final 36 holes at Sherwood Forest, all his rounds were played in extremely tough windy conditions.                                                                                          for full result please click here.

L&R U16 team achieved a good win of 10.5 to 7.5 over Worcestershire despite several players missing.  Vinnay Mistry of Beedles Lake played a good captains role in winning his singles 3&2. Good results from Aidan Staunton and Mathew Dyke winning 8&7 and 9&7 respectively, both Mathew Dyke and Callum Blair achieving maximum points in the foursomes and singles.  Several new boys, including Hershy Khambhaita and Lewis Allan, won their singles matches with the under fourteen county captain, Michael Pressick, halving the foursomes and winning his singles. The course played very well and was a credit to the grounds staff and committee.

County Captain, Dr. Philip Thomason, The Leicestershire, pictured left, praises his team after their stunning win in the Midland Golf Union Area 6 Man Team Qualifier, played at Chesterfield Golf Club. The Team will once again go to the EGU National Finals in September, to be held this year at the Notts. GC Hollinwell.

This is the 8th time the County team have qualified for the finals, 4 times in the last 6 years, and shows the strength of the county in the Midland region.

Philip praised his team for their solid all round performance, winning by an overwhelming 24 shots from nearest rivals Warwickshire, who finished in second position from the 10 counties taking part. Lincolnshire were unfortunately disqualified when 1 of their players signed for a wrong score, all 6 players' scores counting in this tough 36 hole format. Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire tied 3rd.

Pictured right, on the clubhouse steps, are the team with their commemoration prizes, L to R. Matt Whelband, The Leicestershire, making his debut at this level for the county, 73, 72, Jake Amos, Kilworth Springs, 70, 72, Sam Mayfield, 75, 76, Neil Chaudhuri, The Leicestershire, 70, 70, Jason Palmer, Kirby Muxloe, 72, 69, David Gibson, Cosby also 72, 69. Team total 860. Also included in the picture is new County Secretary John Tolley, Charnwood Forest, Philip Thomason and County President Tom Finn, Melton Mowbray GC.

The event was played in continuous rain, although never in danger of being curtailed as the Chesterfield course stood up magnificently to the conditions. 

for full result please click here

Boys Age Group Championship, played Annually for the Rae Spillane Cup, was held in fine weather at Beedles Lake Golf Club. The New Champion was James Rowe from Scraptoft  Golf Club with a splendid 91 - 25 = 66, winner on count back from Nathan Fisher, Longcliffe, with his round of 81 - 15 = 66.  Greg Eason, Kirby Muxloe was the Scratch Prize winner with his round of 70.

Scraptoft Golf Club will represent the County Union as Champion Junior Club in the EGU Junior County Finals to be played later in the year, with their 3 players, James Rowe, Nett 66, Will Wells Nett 67 and Connor Callis Nett 68, Total 201. 

                                                                                                           for full result please click here

John Hardwick, Rothley Park, receives the Gardiner Cup from County President Tom Finn, Melton Mowbray, after his win in the 2008 competition.

The Competition is held Annually for Club Secretaries, Past and Present, Handicap and Competition Secretaries and other Club Officials involved with the running of their club competitions.

This year the event was held at Market Harborough Golf Club, played in good conditions, albeit a small field entered but the competition is one of the oldest run by the County Union, other clubs are invited to send their delegates in forthcoming years. 

This is the second occasion John has won this event, his previous being in 2005.

John had dashed to the event from a business day in Derbyshire arriving in the nick of time. His fine round of 72 - 6 = 66 included 7 Pars and a double bogey at 11, but the highlight for him was his shot to the long 8th where he almost holed for a 2.

                                                           for full result please click here.

Martin Anderson, Kibworth Golf Club, receives the Robin Fraser Trophy from County President Tom Finn after his fine win in the annual Spring Tournament, this event is traditionally the first event in the county's season. The 72 hole competition being played on 2 different courses, this year the first 36 holes at Kibworth Golf Club and the second 36 holes at The Luffenham Heath Golf Club.

Martin, a Kibworth member, opened with a first round score on his own course, played in very blustery conditions, with a 76, 2 shots behind the leading players. His superb second round 68 saw him jump up the leader board, to be only 1 shot behind the leader at half way Liam Plant, Cosby, who had opened with a 74 after driving out of bounds, followed by a second round 73.

The second day saw Martin paired with Liam and Sam Mayfield, Kilworth Springs, Martin shot 73, Liam 72 and Sam 72, for Martin to now trail by 2 shots. The 4th round proved conclusive, Martins 74 saw him home, Liam finished with a 79.

A very fine last round of 69 saw Matt Whelband, The Leicestershire, leapfrog several players to take second place with Matt Stephens, Kirby Muxloe, also finishing strongly to move him up to third place on local rule.                 for full result please click here

COUNTY CARD SCHEME EXPANDS FOR 2008 SEASON

The County Union is delighted to announce that talks with Kent, Essex, Bedfordshire, BB & O, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Cambridgeshire Golf Unions have been successful and that our prestigious County Card has been accepted for 2008 onwards for use at their counties' preferential green fee rates, increasing our existing 5 County Group, L & R GU, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, into a new extended group of 17/19 Counties, with some 600 clubs participating.

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

The new card is 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 participating Counties and clubs please click here.

     Last updated 10th July 2008