The always popular County Mens Seniors Championship event took place this week, hosted by Hanbury Manor Golf & Country Club, on the afternoon of Tuesday 5th August and then the following morning.
A full field of 72 players took part on Day 1, with a cut to the low 30 gross scores plus ties (and anyone within 8 shots of the gross lead if applicable) making it through to Day 2.
The weather was fine for both days, sunny and mild, but with a very blustery wind on the first day, which made particularly the more open and exposed front 9 holes very testing indeed.
After Day 1 home advantage as it so often does played its part again and saw a home player in the lead with a fine score of 73 +1 achieved by David Lang. David would lead by 1 shot from defending champion Paul Nancarrow of Old Fold Manor. The qualifying mark fell on 83 +11 which initially saw 35 players make it though to Day 2.
Day 2 saw thankfully calmer conditions than the previous day, although this wasn’t overly reflected in the scoring. The defending Champion Paul withdrew after 9 holes of round 2 due to a nasty chest condition, leaving the leader David and County stalwart John Ambridge together as a 2 ball at the back of the field. After 9 David had grown his lead with an impressive outward 9 of 34 -2 and would play safely and carefully on the inward 9 to protect his lead and claim the Seniors title for the first time. David would add a Round 2 74 + 2 in the end to add to his Round 1 73 +1 for a 36 hole aggregate score of 147 +3, to win by 2 shots. In 2nd place in the scratch, but winning the Terry Trude Trophy for the best handicap aggregate score, was Doug Montgomery of Brocket Hall, with 149 +5, rounds of 78 +6 and a tournament best round of 71 -1 in Round 2. Doug’s nett score of 141 -3 was good enough to pip Gary Higgins of the host club on a R2 countback for the trophy. 3rd in the gross category was another home player in Scott Bambridge with 151 +7.
David will now progress to represent Hertfordshire at the England Golf Champion of Champions event, played at Woodhall Spa in September. We obviously wish David all the best at that future event.
Our thanks to Hanbury Manor for allowing us the use of their course and facilities across the 2 days.
Next years Mens Seniors Championship will be held at South Herts Golf Club on Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6th August 2026.
