Alex Collman (Harpenden Common) Men’s Mid Age Champion 2019

June 25, 2019

Alex Collman (Harpenden Common) Men’s Mid Age Champion 2019

ALEX COLLMAN (HARPENDEN COMMON) MEN’S MID AGE CHAMPION 2019

Men’s 1st Team Captain Alex Collman of Harpenden Common emerged the victor yesterday at the Men’s Mid Age Championship played at Hartsbourne Country Club located on the outskirts of Bushey Heath, probably the southern most point of the county and right on the Herts/Middlesex (London) border.

On a very sticky and overcast day, which threatened thunderstorms for much of the day but thankfully never materialised, scoring for the most part was very good with several under par gross scores and numerous scores better than handicap.

61 competitors took part in the 36 hole event for male players aged 35 and over with a handicap of 12 or better.

After the morning round Alex would lead by 3 shots with a 68 (-3) from his clubmate the ever consistent Tony Wilkins with a level par round of 71.

In the afternoon round Alex played a conservative game which pay dividends, although his playing partner on the day Charles McKay of Letchworth certainly gave him food for thought as Charles got his pm round to -6 at one point and therefore was under par for the tournament. Charles in the end would drop a couple of shots late on, but still returned an excellent and best of the day gross score of 67 (-4) for a 36 hole total of 143 (+1), good enough for 3rd place on an afternoon countback from Paul McAvoy of Harpenden Common.

In 2nd place was defending champion Phil Dormer of Old Fold Manor with a sterling defence of his title with rounds of 73/69 for a total of 142 (level).

But Alex proved a strong front runner and added an afternoon 70 to his morning 68 for a total of 138 (-4) to win by 4 shots.

In the handicap division 4 handicap James Houghton of Hadley Wood, who has only just turned 35, returned a stunning round of 69 gross in the afternoon for a nett 65 to win the Handicap prize on a countback on 138 (-4) from 9 handicap John Breheny of Batchworth Park.

The CSS in both rounds was 72 against a par and SSS of 71.

Hartsbourne were excellent hosts and the field, many of which had never played the course before, were very complimentary on the course, the catering and the hospitality received on the day. No one visited the outdoor swimming pool near the 1st tee, although I’m sure a fair few of the field really fancied it after 36 holes!