One of our oldest most prestigious annual events was played yesterday, Sunday 11th May, with our Mens Champion Club event. This year the event was played at Stocks Golf Club, our most westerly outpoint in the County, located in Aldbury, near Tring.
The event sees clubs represented by 3 male members playing 36 holes scratch medal, with all scores to count and then scores accumulated to create an overall team score, with the lowest score bing crowned the winners.
Letchworth GC came into the event likely to be tournament favourites as they had won the previous 2 years and were looking for a ‘3 peat’.
The weather on the day was wall to wall glorious sunshine and warm temperatures, albeit with a strong breeze at times, particuarly as the course, located on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, is fairly exposed to the elements in parts.
The course was presented excellently on the day, with the greens smooth and faster than standard play at the club.
After the morning round, Letchworth once again showed their creditials to lead at the halfway point with an excellent score of 212 (-7), with all 3 players returning under par scores. Letchworth would lead by 11 shots from nearest rivals Harpenden Common on 223 (+4). 11 shots sounds like an unassailable lead but this in this particular format shots and leads could be hemorrhaged quickly.
However, an afternoon 67 (-6) from Letchworth’s Niall Johnston, understood to be a new course record score on the relatively newly created Blue tee course at Stocks GC, further stretched their lead and 2 steady pm scores achieved by Phil Dormer and Dan Banbury achieved a safe victory and the retention of the Champion Club trophy for another year in North Herts. Letchworth’s final cumulative score was an highly impressive 430 (-8) for the day.
The Hertfordshire G&CC team of Dan Limrick, Steve Standing & Dan Stannard pipped the Harpenden Common team of Laurie Owen, Tom Turner and Tony Wilkins into 2nd place by 2 shots, 449 (+11) against 451 (+13).
Letchworth now proceed to represent Herts at the England Golf Champion Club final event, to be played at The Oaks Golf Club, Yorkshire in September and we obviously wish them all the very best.
Our thanks to Stocks GC for hosting us on the day. Both the course and the hospitality extended to us were first class and we look forward to returning with another event soon.
