The Pinboard

The place to be for your on-course achievements, course records, club championship wins, amazing rounds of golf, and also amusing and/or quirky feats too. It’s all here on The Pinboard.

Izzy Speck - Junior Championship

Izzy Speck has become one of the first names on the wall of the brand new clubhouse at Whittington Heath after a dramatic improvement and handicap drop saw her secure the Club Junior Championship in October.

16-year-old Izzy became the first girl to lift the trophy, her new WHS handicap now stands at 3.2 as a result of her stunning golfing progress over the past three years, originally off 41 as a 13-year-old.

HAWAII 501 ENJOYS A MIDLANDS GOLF TOUR

Former PDC Darts star and now commentator Wayne Mardle enjoyed his downtime during the recent World Grand Prix event by playing quite a lot of golf in Warwickshire along with his darting buddies.

Staying at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, Wayne popped over to Finham for no less than four rounds at Coventry GC, one of them driving this e-caddy, donated to him for a day (if ever a vehicle suited a personality.)

During the same ‘working week’ Wayne also grabbed a round on the Cromwell Course at Nailcote Hall alongside Keith (138) Deller (L), PDC referee Russ Bray and Coventry businessman Rob Wigley (R) – will we be seeing Hawaii 501 alongside Keith at next year’s British Par 3 Championship?

Llany wins the Ken Smith Trophy

There were celebrations at Llanymynech Golf Club on Friday, October 2nd as their team won the final of the Ken Smith Trophy 3-0 against Bridgnorth Golf Club.

Having lost the away match at Bridgnorth 2 – 1, this made it an overall result of 4 – 2 to Llanymynech. This is the eighth win from the nine finals they have played in.

The Ken Smith Trophy is a Scratch County Competition with 21 teams entering from all over Shropshire and Herefordshire.

The Llanymynech team was led by Sandy Johnson, pictured here receiving the trophy from the County President-Elect, Doug Parry. Basil Griffiths, Dave Griffiths, Dave Humphries, Dave Shepherd, Dave Cauldwell and Ian Rodger completed the team. Team Captain Sandy said, “ I am thrilled that Llanymynech have regained the trophy.”

Sapey hosts 3 Ball Alliance

On Monday 5th October Sapey Golf and Country Club hosted their postponed 3 Ball Alliance. Over 27 teams competed in very mixed weather but the feedback to the club was extremely positive and the course was well received by the visiting teams.

The overall results were as follows:

Tory Brettell/Pat Mullen/Kath Parsons (pictured) – Sapey/Leominster (77pts)
Amanda Sylvester/Paula Barrie/Penny Marchant – Wharton Park (69pts)
Jenny Poole/Angela Wood/Nicky Perrins – Dymock Grange (67pts)

* Longest Drive (0-24): Sue Davis – Cleobury Mortimer

* Longest Drive (25+): Cherie Lusher – Cotswold Hills

*Nearest Pin: Pauline Savage – Worcestershire

ANDERS SCOOPS ANOTHER ACCOLADE

The golfing public of Leicester are fully aware now of the great impact made by Anders Mankert PGA and team since 2018 in re-opening and restoring the fortunes of the old Oadby Golf Club as the new Leicester Golf Centre.

Yet it’s always good to get national recognition, and Anders has had plenty of that too, another award came his way last month when he was named as Today’s Golfer Magazine’s 1st Clubhouse Hero in their new campaign.

Anders was quick to mention the family support he’s been able to count on, especially from his wife Pippa and his 75-year-old father in transforming the place with its reborn nine-hole ‘Gallops’ course, 16 bay TopTracer range and free short game practice area, all of which has had the golfers flocking to the Leicester Racecourse bordering venue.

Yet what caught the eye mostly and always has is the inclusivity of the place, its welcoming nature and the sheer refusal of Anders to set any sort of golfing rules at all.

“My pet hate,” said Anders “has always been going to a course and seeing 20 signs about what you can and can’t do. We are non-traditional and we are creating new golfers and making it accessible for all.”

TOM AND VICKY CLINCH THE ROTHLEY PARK TITLES

The annual Club Championships took place recently at Rothley Park Golf Club in Leics with a good turnout from both the ladies and men’s sections and great support on the day from club members.

Tom Roberts was a convincing Men’s Champion, taking the title six shots ahead of last year’s winner, Tom Hoy. Roberts finished with a total gross score of 147 (69 + 78), Hoy finished on 153 (78 + 75) with Tom Mitchell in 3rd. The 36 hole Nett Prize was won by Darren Want with a nett total of 146 (72 + 74.)

This year’s Ladies Club Champion is 17 year old Vicky Mayfield. After 36 holes of golf she came in with a combined gross score of 156 after a stunning downhill putt on the 18th to clinch the title by just one shot from last year’s winner, Maz Sharpe.

Just a few days later Vicky went on to win the Nett Prize in the Leicestershire and Rutland County Junior Girls Championships at Glen Gorse with a combined nett score of 150 for the two rounds. Vicky is currently the County Junior Girls Captain and has played for the county since she was 12.

Leah enjoys a special golfing August

Leah Congratulations to Leah Rinano! In the August ladies medal competition at her home club, Northampton GC she shot a new ladies all-time course record of 70 (3 under par)

Leah has continued on with her great form as she is also now the new county girls gross champion following two one over par rounds of 74 during the Northamptonshire Junior County Championships, also held at Northampton on Monday 17th August. 60 juniors competed for over 36 holes.

Steve Smith, General Manager at Northampton GC was full of praise,

“On returning to golf in May, Leah’s handicap has come down from 4.7 to 2.8, and I can see her going lower as the season progresses. We are very proud of her golf achievements this season and we are sure there will be more silverware being added to the trophy cabinet in 2020.”

Rising Star Jamie, is Crewes Top Lady

Jamie Hand is the new Crewe Golf Club ladies champion following a dazzling display over 36 holes on July 27th. Jamie is just 13 years old and played off a handicap of 18 during the competition, reduced to 13 after the event. Her nett 74-67 was enough for a three-shot win.

She’s a Stoke City fan from Nantwich and her other major golfing achievement thus far was winning the Robert Rock Junior Golf Tour U12 Order of Merit title in 2019.

The Guys are in the Prizes

Talented Derbyshire junior Jack Nicholas Guy is pictured here after becoming the county U14 nett champion at Breadsall Priory last month. 12-year-old Jack shot a nett 65 playing off 18 for a three-shot win, and his 83 also saw him finish joint runner up in the gross. One week later Jack’s sister Tilly kept it in the family by winning in the U9s category on the Derbyshire Futures Tour at Kedleston Park.

Gary skips his way to a new course record

On an incredible Saturday at Robin Hood GC in Solihull on July 4th, the club witnessed not just a nett 64 in their competition but also a gross 64 which became a new course record for member Gary Skipp. Firstly though, credit to Division 1 golfer Allan Duffy who, playing off nine-shot a gross 73, a round that should have grabbed him all of the limelight on the day.

But Gary had other ideas and shot three birdies and an eagle to reach the turn in just 31 shots. The back nine started even better with four successive birdies and he could even afford to drop his only shot of the day at the tough par three 16th and still stay on target for the record. The remainder of the holes were parred safely and the new mark of 64 was his.

Gary’s great form continued when, two weeks later has also become RHGC club champion, firing a 66 on that day.

George Tatton

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86 year old George Tatton, a member of Leek GC in Staffs bounced back to golf in spectacular style following lockdown by firing a gross 85 on his first-round back at the club on May 14th. Beating his age by one shot, this is the sixth successive year that George, a member for 51 years has performed that feat.

Club Champions Roll of Honor

Great to see Club Championships taking place this summer after all we’ve been through, here are a few selected winners’ shots from local clubs who hosted their events in July.

Harborne GC

Brilliant sunshine greeted the players at the central Birmingham club and carried on well until the evening of July 12th when (L to R) Stephen Lediard became seniors champion, Hrithika Bhugvandeen won the ladies title and Steve Keay became the men’s club champion for 2020.

Maxstoke Park GC

On the same day, they enjoyed similar conditions at Maxstoke Park GC for their club championships. The lady winners are pictured together, Sarah Longstaff (L) became scratch champion and next to her is Glenda Loram who won the nett title..

Also pictured is Josh Davenport, the new men’s club champion.

Kington GC

On Sunday July 19th Kington GC in Herefordshire held their club championships and both of their nett and gross titles went to one golfer. Ross Baker turned 21 on the day and celebrated in perfect style with a best gross score of 150 (nett 136) for a notable double.

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