22 club teams took part yesterday (Tue 19 May) in our County Mens Senior Champion Club event, played at Verulam Golf Club in St Albans, famous for their links with Samuel Ryder, the benefactor behind the Ryder Cup event and trophy.
66 players competed over 18 holes medal strokeplay, with all scores to count towards an overall aggregate team score.Â
The conditions were cool and blustery, with a wet start but thankfully staying mostly dry after that.Â
The course was presented beautifully on the day, with the club closing the course the previous morning to allow the green staff unaffected access to the course for additional cutting and preparation to take place.Â
The primary defence of the golf course are the undulating greens complexes, which combined with the smooth and fast surfaces and the gusty winds, provided a stern challenge.Â
Best round of the day was returned by David Lang of Hanbury Manor, who despite feeling rather under the weather scored well for a level par round of 72. Next best was 2 shots back 74 +2 returned by the always steady Gordon Stewart of Berkhamsted.Â
Indeed those two clubs would contest the title, which would only be decided by the barest of margins, a cumulative back 9 countback to determine the winners.Â
Both Hanbury Manor and Berkhamsted tied on 238 +22 totals, but ultimately Hanbury Manor’s back 9 total of 112 vs Berkhamsted’s 118 would make the difference.Â
Hanbury Manor were represented by the aforementioned David Lang, along with Scott Bambridge and former County Seniors Champion Tye Carter. Berkhamsted were represented by the aforementioned Gordon Stewart, along with Jason Court and Paul Marshall.Â
In 3rd position were Ashridge GC 3 shots back of the tie for 1st on 241 +25 and were represented by Andre Jordache, Ken Whitton and former European Tour player Jonathan Sewell.Â
Our thanks to our hosts Verulam GC for their fine efforts on the day.Â
