ESSEX FIRST FOR 34 YEARS

WINNERS: Dale Whitnell (Five Lakes); Ross Spurgeon, Andy Shakespeare (Five Lakes); Ross Dee (Orsett)  (West Essex); Matthew Southgate (Thorpe Hall) and Jack Winer (Woolston Manor).

By Mark Jackson
ESSEX has reached the national finals of the English Men’s County Championship for the first time in 34 years.

County captain and team manager David Miller praised his young side after they qualified at Suffolk’s Aldburgh Golf Club on Saturday.

Star player Dale Whitnell, based at Five Lakes, set a new course record of
65 gross - even after losing a ball at his first hole.

Mr Miller said: “This is one of the best squads we have been able to put together in years. 

“I’ve worked with all these players over the last three years in Colts and County teams and we had managed to develop a fabulous team spirit.
“We knew what our goals were before start of play, felt they were achievable and were really optimistic that we could do well this year.”

Eleven counties compete in a six man team 36 hole medal, all scores to count.   

The Essex win was only the third time in the county’s history, the last in 1975 when Henry Weber was County Captain and Sir Michael Bonallack was a team member.  
Four counties will compete in the finals, which will be held at Chipping Sodbury on September 25-27.

ESSEX SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP

CHELMSFORD -- SIX former winners returned to try and replenish their wine cellars with another victor.

At halfway Romford’s Kevin Smith led with 70 and Michael Snapes (Chigwell) was second with 73. On 74, 75 and 76 were three former champions – Jeff Woolgrove (Orsett), Alan MacNaught (Colchester) ands Geoff King (West Essex) who after a second round claimed the top three places.

Few players managed to improve on their first round scores but the exception was Geoff King, the 2007 Champion. A round of 71, 3 over par, was good enough to give him a total of 147 and the Championship. Three shots behind in second place came Jeff Woolgrove with Alan MacNaught on 151 in third.

The Chelmsford Club Captain, Barry Stiff, welcomed the competitors to the club and said how proud the club was to host this competition.

When accepting the trophy from County President Mike Thirkettle, Geoff said that he had been inspired by his daughter’s recent success in the Ladies competition, to improve on his first round score.

In addition to medals, the top three players were awarded green fee tokens for the Epping Golf Course by proprietor Neil Sjoberg, andbottles of wine but the winner also received a pair of cut glass tumblers.

Full results were:

Seniors Champion Geoff King West Essex 147 gross
Runner-up Jeff Woolgrove Orsett 150 gross
Third Alan MacNaught Colchester 151gross

Handicap prize winners:
Over age 70 1st Brian Dick Orsett 5 handicap 148 nett
2nd John Finn St Cleres Hall 9 “ 150 “

Over age 65 1st John Gilbert Thorpe Hall 7 handicap 140 nett
2nd Barry Graylin The Burstead 6 “ 146 “

Over age 60 1st Roy Pledger The Warren 11 handicap 139 nett
2nd Ray Rantell Chelmsford 6 “ 141 “

Over age 55 1st Michael Snapes Chigwell 6 handicap 141 nett
2nd Steve Coventry Chelmsford 7 “ 142 “

LESLIE F WOOD

The third round produced an equal number of home and away wins.

West Essex the holders won comfortably at Epping and face another away fixture at Thorndon Park in the next round.

Chelmsford who squeezed through on a play off at Toot Hill visit The Warren next who had a good victory at Langdon Hills.

Crondon Park away victors at Three Rivers have been awarded a home fixture against Chigwell.

ESSEX FACE UPHILL STRUGGLE

GERRARDS CROSS, BUCKS – Essex’s attempt to retain the Northern Section Championship took a set back as the team lost 6.5 to 5.5 against Berks, Bucks and Oxon.

The match was almost abandoned due to heavy rain, thunder and lightening, but green staff managed to move pin positions and remove excess surface water to ensure the match continued.

A lacklustre performance from the Essex team in the morning foursomes saw only Jack Winer and Andy May triumph against the top pairing of Lawson and Freeman.

The afternoon singles started well as new boy Perry Morgan and old campaigner Jack Clarke got two early points with some incredible golf – both finished 7 under.

But then is started to go wrong.

David Miller, team captain explained: “Match three was not going well with Ross Dee battling with his putting demons, and Andy Shakespeare was not performing as we expected, so we were now two points behind in the overall match.”

Young Tom Ogan (Baby Face assassin) won against a tough opponent to put Essex one point behind.

News that Jack Winer all square after being 4 down after 6 holes signalled things were changing for the better.

Andy May was 1 up with three to play, although the other game was not looking good with Ross Spurgeon being 4 down and 4 to play.

Essex needed to get maximum points to win the match, but Andy May lost his match on the last green.

Jack Winer completed a recovery and won 2&1, while Ross Spurgeon won the last 4 holes to get a half.

Essex will play Hertfordshire and Middlesex and must win both matches to win the northern section of the South East League.

ESSEX SENIORS SUNK BY LAST GASP PUTT

WYKE GREEN, MIDDLESEX -- The scene of one of the closest Essex/Middlesex matches ever played last year when the Essex team stole a draw, coming from behind which catapulted us into the Regional final.

This year’s Seniors contest the result was reversed when Bruce Hurley sunk a long last putt on the eighteenth green to get a half from Romford’s Geoff Kirwan.

A special mention goes to Chris Harrington (Upminster) making his debut, and after finding himself 4 down fought back for a 2&1 victory.

Middlesex earn a longed for victory over Essex after a six year gap.

HERTS TRIUMPH OVER UNDER 14s

THE HERTFORDSHIRE GOLF CLUB, BROXBOURNE – Essex under 14s were beaten 10-5 after they came up against formidable opponents on Thursday May 28.

The away team performed well in the morning, securing a 3-2 lead in the foursomes against Herts.

Among the strongest performers were the talented Boyce Hill duo of David Biffault and Cody Strachan who won two up.

But it was all change in the afternoon singles as the home side romped home 8-2 for a final score of 10-5.

Under 14s team manager, Keith Mitchell, praised his young team. He said: “Some of the Hertfordshire team boasted very low handicaps and the Essex lads realised that they were up against some formidable opponents.”

Nick Ward playing off scratch saw off Spencer Adams Dunstan (8) with an impressive 4 under par with six holes to play.

Billy Mason gained a very good half against William Aldred with a chip in at the 162 yard 13 to turn the match. Jason Horne fought hard against Joe Brooks to lose 2 down but Jack Marshall gained Essex a solitary afternoon win against Bradley Henwood.

From this point on a procession of victories by Hertfordshire with a solitary half from Michael Kendrick rounded off an emphatic win of 10-5 to Hertfordshire. Having said this many of the matches went to the last hole but the rather late fight backs could not dislodge the Hertfordshire boys from a deserved victory.

Mr Mitchell added: “The Hertfordshire club were really excellent hosts providing a memorable occasion for the boys in their first match of the year. The course was a fine test of golf for boys who play at a really high standard and the Hertfordshire staff and club members made us very welcome.”

The Essex boys taking part were: Spencer Adams Dunstan (Langdon Hills), Billy Mason (Maldon), Jason Horne (Orsett), Charlie Sargeant (Stoke by Nayland), Cody Strachan (Boyce Hill), David Briffault (Boyce Hill), Jack Marshall (Crowlands Heath), Bobby Keeble (Woolston Manor), Mitchell Sarling(Boyce Hill), Michael Kendrick (Forrester Park).

ENGLISH GOLF UNION - ORDER OF MERIT

Dale Whitnell (Five Lakes Golf Club) is the early leader in this the National Order of Merit with 770 points.

His nearest rival James Robinson of Lancashire has 430 points. In 10th position

Another Essex player, Matthew Southgate (Thorpe Hall), is in 10th place with a score of 260 points.

TWO STARS AMID ESSEX GLOOM

FIVE LAKES -- Stock Brook’s Joe Sullivan and Clacton’s Ben Herbert were the two best performers from the team of six boys (under 18 years of age) representing the County in the SE Region qualifying competition.

Sullivan’s one under par score of 143 for the two rounds on the Five Lakes Championship course was the second best individual score out of the 66 players taking part. It included a 3-under par 69 for his second round.

Herbert’s score of one over par for his two rounds was an exercise in steadiness with rounds of 73 and 72.

Playing on a home course, Essex finished a disappointing 4th out of the 11 counties taking part on Friday May 29.

The qualification to represent the region in the national finals went to a consistently strong Surrey team who are the present holders of the National Championship.

The format was 6 players per team playing two rounds of stroke play golf with the best 5 scores counting.

The Five Lakes Championship course provided a stern test, and in spite of the May sunshine only ten of the 122 rounds played came in under par.

After the first round Essex were joint 3rd with BB&O (Berks Bucks & Oxon) each county scoring 370 strokes. Out in front was Surrey with a score of 359, and Kent was tucked in between with a 360 score.

In the morning the best Essex performance came from James Webber (Three Rivers) and Ben Herbert (Clacton) who came in with one over par scores of 73.

In the afternoon Surrey consolidated their leading position by adding 366 to their score for a winning total of 725.

Kent was unable to mount a serious challenge to the leaders but maintained their second position with 738 total score, this being one shot better than third placed BB&O.

Surrey have produced an outstanding boys team for the second year running and it will be very difficult to wrest the National title from them.

Representing Essex were: am pm Total
Joe Sullivan (Stock Brook) 74 69 143
Ben Herbert (Clacton on Sea) 73 72 145
Steve Jones (Canons Brook) 75 76 151
James Webber (Three Rivers) 73 (79) 152
Spencer Wells (Thorpe Hall) 75 77 152
Jay Beisser (Rochford 100) (76) 77 153

Scores in brackets disregarded.

Final totals for top five counties: Surrey 725
Kent 738
Berks Bucks & Oxon 739
Essex 741
Sussex 744

SHAKESPEARE SMASHES BOWL RECORD

Chigwell Bowl Winner Andrew Shakespeare

Colt Championship winner James Webber

CHIGWELL – The record books were smashed on Friday as 22-year-old Andrew Shakespeare (+2) won the Chigwell Bowl with an 8 under par 134.

The Five Lakes member, who is studying at Bournemouth University, hit the event’s best score since its launch 50 years ago.

His morning round of 68 (3 under par) made him the lunchtime leader, with nearest rivals Jack Winer (Woolston Manor) and James Webber (Three Rivers) each returning 1 over par scores of 72.

Shakespeare then turned in an afternoon score of 66 to give himself a winning margin of 6 shots over Andrew May (Boyce Hill) who himself had a fabulous 66 in his second round. Romford’s Harrison Ellis came third on 147.

The Chigwell Golf Club inaugurated the Bowl competition in 1959 the for young golfers aged 25 and under. Two rounds of stroke play golf on the tight and testing Chigwell course is the venue.

The trophy has been won with scores just below the level par of 142 for the two rounds ever since.

A second competition, the Colt Championship, was introduced for the Under 21 year olds recently.

This year’s champion was James Webber (Three Rivers) with a score of 143 and the runner-up was Danny Carroll (Five Lakes) with 144.

In County competitions no player can win more than one prize, and on the scores returned Andrew Shakespeare topped the handicap section in spite of playing off a +2.

Counting down however, the handicap prizes went to Jack Dobson (Romford) with a nett score of 141 playing off a 2 handicap, and Alex Piccolo (The Warren) with the same nett score playing off an 8 handicap.

Results:

CHIGWELL BOWL
Winner - Andrew Shakespeare (Five Lakes) - 134 (new record)
Runner Up - Andrew May (Boyce Hill) - 140
Third - Harrison Ellis (Romford) - 147

COLTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Winner - James Webber (Three Rivers) - 143
Runner Up - Danny Carroll (Five Lakes) - 144

HANDICAP
Winner - Jack Dobson (Romford) - 141 nett playing off a 2 handicap
Runner Up - Alex Piccolo (The Warren) - 141 nett playing off an 8 handicap

ESSEX RECOVER FROM EARLY SHOCK

ORSETT GOLF CLUB – Essex came back from an early scare to win this county match against Bedfordshire on Sunday May 24.

The sun was out, there was no wind, and players reported the course was in great condition. The golf was outstanding too.

Winer and May for Essex were 7 under par when they won 7&5. Dee and Rooney lost on the last green – but were 5 under par when they lost.

The home team were behind at lunchtime by 2½ to 1½ in the morning foursomes – and it could have been worse.

Mark Whiten sunk a thirty foot putt on the last green to snatch a half point.

After a firm confident team talk from the Captain, Essex came back stronger in the afternoon singles, winning seven and halving the others.

The 9 – 3 victory kept Essex’s unbeaten run going.

David Miller, team captain, confirmed the opening South Eastern Group Northern Division County match had presented selectors with a dilemma.

Several members of the first team squad were playing in the Welsh Amateur, so were not able to play.

“We selected some home grown players to represent the County following the ‘horses for courses’ idea,” he said.

“The first match of the year sets the scene for the rest of the year. We had to win this match, especially as we are the defending champions.”

The team will play Berks Bucks and Oxon at Gerrards Cross in a couple of week’s time.

* MATTHEW Southgate, of Thorpe Hall, came third in the Welsh Amateur Championship, beating four Walker Cup players and several internationals.

HOMERS MAKE LESLIE WOOD THIRD ROUND

ESSEX – West Essex made it through to the last 16 – as all the home sides triumphed on Sunday in the Leslie Wood Shield. The holders saw off Ballards Gore 9-6.

There were convincing home wins for Three Rivers, The Warren, Royal Epping Forest, Colne Valley, Canons Brook, Boyce Hill, Harwich & Dovercourt and Chigwell who all scored into double figures.

Three River's Leslie Wood Captain, John Ounan, (pictured below) praised his team who battled through to beat Stoke by Nayland 11.5 to 3.5 on a day that switched between wind, rain, sunshine.

Three Rivers beat Stoke by Nayland

The day begun well for Langdon Hills who saw early progress in their game against Bentley. Brothers Tony and Steve Cohen (below) performed well on the day, as did star cadet and county player Spencer Adams Dunston and foursomes partner Martin Holdaway.

The talented Orsett team was another to suffer a loss away.


Orsett's Club captain David Pulham and his vice Steve Biggin (below) praised the squad's efforts after narrowly missing out 8.5 to 6.5. Thorndon Park now meet Colne Valley who beat Rochford 12 - 3.

Thitreen year old Jason Horne (above) of Orsett

Geoff Moody was another club captain who went home happy after his men beat team captain Glen Wiggins' (below) and his players in a play-off. Clacton were the only away side not to lose after the singles and foursomes.

Crondon Park saw some of the worst weather in the county, with torrential rain sweeping across the course during the late morning.

The sun shone for Romford as Eddie Walsh and Ben Scanes (below) took the first point lead against Chelmsford on the 17th just after midday.


In one of the highest quality matches of the day, Romford finally lost out to the excellent Chelmsford team, managed by the able and experienced Mike Beard (below).

Beard - a double Leslie Wood winner himself - paid tribute to his squad, but confessed management was easier and less stressful than playing.






Romford team captain, Steve Baker, and his vice, Roger Loveday (below), praised their excellent side who narrowly lost 8-7, in a match that could have gone either way.



Boyce Hill staked a claim as one of the favourites with a strong performance against Burnham. Star performers once again were Dave Smith, Phil Alderton, Mark Preston and Roy Soilleux, who each collected maximim points.

They will meet Harwich & Dovercourt, the team they knocked out away from home in the first round round last year.

The third round draw has thrown up some keen contests with West Essex being drawn away at Epping, but pick of the draw must be Chelmsford away at Toot Hill.

The Leslie Wood was first played for in 1925. It is for club members who have a handicap of 7.5 or higher.

The rest of the scores on the day were:

Rivers 11½ v Stoke by Nayland 3½

Crondon Park * 7½ v Clacton 7½

The Warren 12½ v Thorpe Hall 2½

Epping 8½ v North Weald 6½

Maylands 8 v Benton Hall 7

Royal Epping Forest 13 v Lords (Rayleigh) 2

Colne Valley 12 v Rochford Hundred 3

Canons Brook 12 v Risebridge 3

Boyce Hill 10 v Burnham-on-Crouch 5

West Essex 9 v Ballards Gore 6

Harwich & Dovercourt 11 v Wanstead 4

Thorndon Park 8½ v Orsett 6½

Chigwell 10½ v Woolston Manor 4½

Chelmsford 8 v Romford 7

Langdon Hills 8 v Bentley 7

Toot Hill 9 v Ilford 6

* Crondon Park won after a play off

3rd Round Draw to be played on Sunday 14 June 2009:

Thorndon Park v Colne Valley
Boyce Hill v Harwich & Dovercourt
Chigwell v Maylands
Toot Hill v Chelmsford
Royal Epping Forest v Canons Brook
Langdon Hills v The Warren
Epping v West Essex
Three Rivers v Crondon Park

BRAVE ESSEX LOSE BY ONE POINT

SEACROFT, SKEGNESS -- Essex missed out on retaining the Eastern Counties Foursomes Championship by just one point at the weekend.

Desperate to retain this cross-regional trophy after winning it by the narrowest of margins last year, the team lost out to the home county, Lincolnshire, who scored 27½ to Essex’s 26½.

Each of nine counties play each other at match play foursomes – one point for a victory.

With five pairs per team, a maximum of 40 points was up for grabs on Saturday and Sunday (May 16-17).

After day one, Essex were laying joint second, with Hertfordshire just two points behind Lincolnshire.

Some stunning golf in windy conditions saw several of the Essex team beat England squad players on the Sunday. The final session in the afternoon saw Essex play Lincolnshire (who were 4 points ahead) and Hertfordshire (half a point ahead).

“With 10 points available in this session we needed to play our best golf,” said Captain David Miller. “After nine holes of play, we were up in nine of the matches.

"We were getting excited!”

Essex won 7 points and finished in second position.

The Eastern Counties Foursomes has been played at Seacroft for the last 17 years. Previously it was played at Hunstanton Golf Club.

This event is the highlight in most counties’ fixture list and is the one to win. Essex were the current holders and keen to defend their title.

Representing Essex were:
Andy May (Boyce Hill) & Adam Burwood (Harwich & Dovercourt) - 7 points
Harry Eden & Reece Phillips (West Essex) - 6½ points
Will Boniface & Andrew Shakespeare (Five Lakes) – 5 points
Ross Dee & Steve Rooney (Orsett) - 5 points
Matthew Southgate (Thorpe Hall) & Jack Winer (Woolston Manor) - 3 points


The scores for the counties were:
Lincolnshire - 27½ points
Essex - 26½
Hertfordshire - 24
Leicestershire & Rutland - 22½
Cambridgeshire - 19½
Northamptonshire - 17
Norfolk - 16½
Bedfordshire - 16
Suffolk - 10½

EPPING OVERWHELMED BY FIVE LAKES

ESSEX -- The first round of the Thornton Cup always throws up surprises – and Sunday May 3 was no exception.

The County’s most prestigious inter-club team competition got underway with 63 teams aiming to make and win the final on Sunday, 13th September.

Holders Thorndon Park cruised past Garon Park 13-2, while Five Lakes smashed Epping 15-0 in a record drubbing at home. They will now entertain Crondon Park in the next round.

Five ‘out of county’ sides compete each year on the historical grounds of being served by the old railway line owned by Mr Thornton in 1923.

All five enjoyed home wins in this round.

Stoke-by-Nayland in their first year as an Essex affiliated club enjoyed a good win 13-2 against Bentley and will now entertain Braintree in the next
round.

Recent cup winners in this competition, Chelmsford, West Essex, Rochford Hundred and Orsett are all successfully through to round two, but 2 casualties were Canons Brook (2003 winners) and Boyce Hill, who last won it in 1997.

For Boyce and their fellow underchievers there is a consolation. This year’s first round losing teams will play in a competition for the Thornton Cup Plate, which will be a home and away venue in the same format as the Norman Plum competition.

Other results were:

Home Team			Away Team
Theydon Bois		v		BYE
Crondon Park	10½	v	Royal Epping Forest	4½
Enfield	11	v	Hainault Forest Golf Club	4
Five Lakes	15	v	Epping	0
Stoke by Nayland	13	v	Bentley	2
Bush Hill Park	12	v	Hartswood	3
Clacton on Sea	9	v	Boyce Hill	6
Stapleford Abbotts	3	v	Channels	12
Orsett	9½	v	Canons Brook	5½
Thorpe Hall	11½	v	Warley Park	3½
Langdon Hills	8	v	Burnham on Crouch	7
Romford	14	v	Chingford	1
Maldon	7½	v	Belhus Park*	7½
Muswell Hill	10½	v	Maylands	4½
Braintree	15	v	Risebridge	0
Frinton	3½	v	Chelmsford	11½
Ballards Gore	12½	v	Castle Point	2½
St Cleres Hall	9½	v	Upminster	5½
The Essex (Earls Colne)	1	v	Rochford Hundred	14
Toot Hill	9½	v	Abridge	5½
The Warren	9	v	Colchester	6
Three Rivers	9	v	Stock Brook	6
Lords (Rayleigh)	11	v	Woodford	4
Thorndon Park	13	v	Garon Park	2
Chigwell	6½	v	West Essex	8½
East Herts	13½	v	Colne Valley	1½
Woolston Manor	13½	v	North Weald	1½
Benton Hall	8½	v	Nazeing	6½
Wanstead	9½	v	Harwich and Dovercourt	5½
Bishops Stortford	12½	v	The Burstead	2½
Forrester Park	5½	v	Gosfield Lake	9½
Ilford	9	v	Basildon	6
* Belhus Park won after a play off

2nd Round Draw
To be played on Sunday 31 May 2009
Home Team			Away Team
St Cleres Hall		v	Benton Hall
Chelmsford		v	Bishops Stortford
Orsett		v	Theydon Bois
Channels		v	Belhus Park
Five Lakes		v	Crondon Park
Romford		v	Rochford Hundred
Stoke by Nayland		v	Braintree
Lords(Rayleigh)		v	West Essex
Thorpe Hall		v	Ilford
Three Rivers		v	Langdon Hills
Ballards Gore		v	Wanstead
Bush Hill Park		v	Thorndon Park
Toot Hill		v	Clacton-on-Sea
Muswell Hill		v	Woolston Manor
East Herts		v	Gosfield Lake
The Warren		v	Enfield