Leicestershire Junior Order of Merit Tables (Leicester Mercury 5th Jan 2012)

Emily Jefferson and Sam Pollard took the top honours in the 2011 Leicestershire junior order of merit tables. County president Roger Barker presented the trophies before the end-of-season junior organisers' meeting at Kirby Muxloe.

The competition involved 14 club open tournaments spread over six months plus the County boys age-group championship. Golfers' best eight results counted for the table. Jefferson finished well clear in the girls' competition. Her victories at Lutterworth, Melton and Lingdale helped her to a total of 102 points. Her Glen Gorse clubmate Fame Grayson was runner-up on 56 with Kibworth's Emily Blount third on 40. Rutland County's Imogen Huxley (36), Glen Gorse's Gee Won-Park (26), Cosby's Katie Holder (24), Hinckley's Charlotte Hartshorn (20) and Longcliffe's Evie Carter (20) were other front-runners. The boys' competition was closer with Melton's Pollard totalling 103 points to edge out Kilworth Springs' Chris Abbott (92) and Kibworth's Harry Duval (87). Pollard won at Glen Gorse, Melton, Lingdale and Willesley Park. Abbott gained back-to-back victories at Lutterworth and Scraptoft and also won at Kilworth Springs. Lutterworth's James Waterfield finished fourth on 53 points ahead of Beedles Lake's Jordan Baker (52), Longcliffe's Sam McCarthy (49), Melton's Oliver Duley (48), Lutterworth's Sam Skerratt (44), Scraptoft's James Rowe (41) and Cosby's Alastair Kinnaird (40). Forest Hill's Latham Russell won the handicap order of merit on 79 points. He was two ahead of Melton's Jake Mogg with Kibworth's Joe Duval third on 63 and Park Hill's George Griffiths fourth on 46.

Leicester Mercury Report - 5th Jan 2012

Glen Gorse's Ashley Mason is off to Portugal for 12 weeks of tournaments and practice. It is part of the County amateur squad member's tournament course administered by Duchy College under the umbrella of Plymouth University. It is the only course of its kind in the country and students split their time between St Mellion International Resort, in Cornwall, and Portugal's Pestana Golf Resort. Mason said: "We work at St Mellion with our coach Darren Gass and he will be coming out to Portugal with us. "While we are there, we will be playing in quite a number of tournaments. "We have four starts on the Algarve winter tour, competing over 54 holes, against PGA of Portugal professionals. "We will also take part in some pro-ams and will play against some Portuguese colleges." The 19-year-old, who currently has a handicap of one, said: "In addition to playing, I have completed a number of assignments, all golf-related, on subjects such as nutrition, performance analysis and swing mechanics."

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Congratulations to the new Junior Captain Tom Summers who 'drove in' on Sunday 18th December.

Tom was unable to join our other new Captains for their drive-in day in October as he was away with the Junior Team playing in the National Team Finals.

We all wish Tom every success in 2012.

Bob Blair - Junior Organiser 20th December 2011

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GGGC Junior Girl Power

It's now three years running that we've cracked it. What you may ask?
Well in 2009 Gee-won Park won the County Junior Girl's Order of Merit title.
In 2010 it was the turn of Fame Grayson to bring it back to GGGC.
Now in 2011 it's Emily Jefferson who has now been declared the official winner and Fame was the runner up.

The LRGU Junior Order of Merit titles were introduced in 2009.
Individuals score points by competing in County Junior Open events and being placed in the top 10.
A bit like the scoring in Formula One but without the speed! So add the points up from all your scoring appearances and the one with the most is the winner.
This year Emily's winning score was an excellent 102 points. Last year's winning score was 108 and in 2009 it was 110.
The popularity of the Order of Merit table has increased yet again this year so this is a great effort by Emily and a title that I am sure she will want to defend valiantly in 2012.
Congratulations Emily from everyone at GGGC.

So Glen Gorse Juniors on the map again and the successes keep coming. What a year!

Emily will receive her award at the LRGU Junior Organiser's meeting in December.

Bob Blair - Junior Organiser 10th November 2011

4th Best Junior League side in England doesn't sound bad to me! Read how our Junior Team got on at The National Finals


The venue for the National Finals was the Five Lakes Crowne Plaza Golf Complex near Maldon, Essex, about 3 miles from the East Coast. You can't expect to go to the east coast in October and not get a bit of a breeze and sure enough we got a really strong, gusting wind that made some of the Par 4s on the Lakes Course totally unreachable in 2 shots. This Par 72 lay out is a good test of golf on any day and it certainly played its full length on Monday.  In addition to the wind the slick greens and tricky pin placements were always going to favour the better players. Out of the 60 competitors taking part 36 were single figure players. Interesting then that the best gross score of the day was a 71 [one under] and 71 also turned out to be the best nett score of the day. Pretty good evidence I reckon of just how difficult it was out there.

Despite the conditions our team put in a great effort to finish equal 4th. No they won't be flying out to Spain next January but nevertheless a fantastic achievement by them all.
They even beat their score from the Regional Final but it just wasn't good enough. The main opposition at The Finals were just too strong, particularly the winners and runners up.
The difficulty of the task we had ahead of us was evident before any of our team stepped on the 1st Tee, as the Team sheets revealed the massive talent from all around the Country that was on show. Five minutes on the practice ground watching some quality ball striking was also a real eye opener for me. But our team were not deterred one bit and they all looked the 'business' in their all black team wear. I decided against the Haka on this occasion and just asked for focus and concentration. The previous night we had a very positive team meeting so there was no need for motivational speeches.  Our lot were like coiled springs! 

Last years Champions West Essex GC were favourites before a ball was struck and they lived up to expectations, winning by 5 shots with an aggregate score of 368. A score that I hadn't even dreamt about. Their best Gross score was 72 to go with 4 nett scores that averaged 74. All from a team that had an average handicap of 1.5. How about that!
There are obviously some exceptionally talented juniors golfers living in the Chingford area and they didn't even have their best team out as two 16 year old plus 2 handicappers were away in Spain on England Coaching. The West Essex Club won the Home Nations title in Spain earlier this year but are up against some really stiff opposition next January with Scottish Champions Craigielaw boasting an average handicap of one, likely to put up a big fight for the trophy. Wales and Northern Ireland also have very strong teams.

For those stattos amongst you here are the rest of the opposition at The National Final plus some info on handicaps and scores;
Bramshaw GC [Hampshire]       consisting of 4 single figure players average 4 and 2 in their low teens-finished runners up on 373
Chorley GC [Lancs]                   consisting of 4 single figures and 2 ten h'cappers-finished 3rd on 384
Royal Eastbourne GC                consisting of 2 low single figures and 4 higher handicappers who averaged 18-finished 4th= on 385
Ogbourne Downs [Wiltshire]    consisting of 3 single figures averaging 5.5 and 3 low teens-finished 4th=on 385
Lancaster GC                             consisting of 6 single figure players averaging 5.5-finished 7th on 388
Torquay GC                                consisting of 4 single figure players averaging 6 and 2 elevens-finished 8th on 396
Ulverston GC [Cumbria]             consisting of 3 mid range single figures and 3 low teens-finished 9th on 400
Hassocks GC [Sussex]               consisting of 2 single figures and 4 who averaged 16-finished 10th on 408

So a total of ten teams and only one from the Midlands so perhaps we can say we are Midlands Champions;
Glen Gorse GC                         consisting of two 6 handicappers and 4 in the teens who averaged 13-finished 4th=on 385


A special mention goes to Rebecca who scored our best gross with an 82 and to Alex Summers who came in with a nett 73. This was Rebecca's last representative match for Glen Gorse Juniors and what an excellent round despite having a poor night's sleep. That's what you get when you share a room with your dad and he has a snoring problem. Good luck Rebecca in everything you do. We'll miss you. I too had a similar issue as I shared with Eric who does a wonderful impression of a Steam Train. Thank goodness for earplugs.

We have all learned so much from this whole experience and everyone of our team was very resolute in defeat. Yes we could have done better but even two shots a player better would have left us 8 short of victory. We'll be giving it our best shot again next season because this group of youngsters have now tasted success and they all want to get here again. That's great news for the Junior Section and great news for our Club.

Just a little story to tell that should put a smile on your face.

Sky TV were there and all our players were interviewed on the First Tee as well as their tee shots being recorded. Jonny was the first to be interviewed and I eavesdropped on what questions they were asking him and his 2 playing partners.
Basically the questions were;
what's your name, how old are you, handicap, home Club and how did you get to the Final. Quite straightforward.
I knew the rest of the team were concerned about their interviews so I got them together on the practice area and told them what questions to expect and how to deal with them.
Alex looked at me a little quizzically so I said, 'look Alex for you it would be. I'm Alex Summers, I'm 13 years of age, I play off 17 at Glen Gorse and we got here by winning the Regional Final at Studley Wood'.
There was a big sigh of relief from Alex so I said, 'What's the matter now?
He replied, 'Am I glad you told me that Bob because I would have said we got here in a mini bus'.
Priceless!

Finally then my thanks and that of the team go out to our supporters on the day and all those who sent or passed on messages of support. It means a lot to know there are so many willing you on. Thanks also to those who have taken the time to pass on congratulations to the team for finishing 4th. They deserve every bit of praise they have received.

Bob Blair
26/10/2011

Brilliant Juniors head to National Finals

REPORT ON VICTORY IN THE REGIONAL FINAL OF THE HOME INTERNATION INTER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP HELD AT STUDLEY WOOD GC IN OXFORDSHIRE ON MONDAY 17th OCTOBER 2011

The 18th hole at Studley Wood Golf Club is 532 yards long from the Championship tee which sits high on a hill looking down on the Club House and across Oxfordshire. It’s a stunning view. I was standing alongside the Tee with travelling reserve Henry Crook, Brian Fagin, our outgoing President Phil Adcock, Lady Captain Pat Imlay and newly elected Senior’s Captain Ivan Imlay. What a gang of ‘Groupies’ I hear you say. We were all watching our new Junior Captain Thomas Summers tee off into a very strong wind. Thomas was having a superb round and showing some real focus and application. This round meant everything to him, of that there was no doubt. He was ‘our last man standing’.

The other five team members had already completed their rounds and we had no idea how they had finished or where our Team stood in this 13 Team Regional Final. What we did know was that none of the team had shown any signs of having the proverbial nightmare that has plagued us all at some stage on the Golf Course when we have a card in our hand. In our travels around the Course I noted that they were all playing steady, sensible golf in very tricky conditions. No heroics, just solid Course Management, just as we had discussed before they all teed off. There’s no need for the ‘hairdryer treatment’ with this Team. They all listen intently to sound advice and play for each other. That’s what team golf is all about. We don’t have any megastars. They are just a group of talented and very determined young golfers.

Tom’s tee shot at 18 was a good one that drifted on the wind into the right hand semi rough. As I watched it land I caught sight of several people walking toward the back of the 18th Green from the Clubhouse. I had no idea who they were but as Thomas was playing in a Four Ball, they could have been from any of the other three clubs represented in his group. My eyes are good from distance but not good enough to pick out individuals a third of a mile away. As we got closer I started to get a warm feeling for the first time that day [It was cold out there I can tell you!]. I could pick out Rebecca Hovell and dad Gary, and there was no doubt about Pinky Pinkham’s red hair alongside them. My sight adjusted to the others and that warm feeling started getting warmer. I knew then that we were close to something amazing-Qualification for the National Finals. I knew they wouldn’t all be outside as a group if we didn’t have a chance of glory. Well that’s what was going through my head.

Henry and I went straight over and their excitement was obvious. Everyone was waiting on news of Thomas and I sensed a just a little agitation. They needn’t have worried. He was doing a brilliant job. A really sensible lay-up shot to avoid water on both sides of the fairway was followed by a punchy five iron that finished 15 feet from the flag. A superb shot from 150 yards directly into the wind. When I told them how Thomas was doing it was like the silent launch of Champagne Cork. Faces lit up, fists started pumping, hearts started racing but all done in silence as the four ball putted out. Then that anxious wait as cards were checked and signed.

The tension started to grow. Thomas had two putted the last green for par and an 82-10=nett 72 which was the best nett score of any of the other 77 players, one under the 73 par and 3 under the standard scratch of 75 for the day. Studley Wood had been a stiff test for everyone but what a tremendous course it is and befitting of it’s title as ‘Oxfordshire’s hidden gem’. How fitting that our last man should clinch this major victory with such a fantastic round of golf. Roy of the Rovers stuff!

At the presentation we learnt that not only had we won the event but our aggregate score was 9 shots better than the runners up. Our five out of six scores to count had averaged 75.8. Now that is what I call a team performance. I broke the news of our victory to our spectators just prior to the presentation. My emotion was evident I know and I am suffering again now as I write this report, such is the magnitude of what this team have achieved. I am so proud of them all.

So it’s off to the National Finals now and no time to waste. We play at The Crowne Plaza Five Lakes golf complex near Colchester next Monday [24th Oct]. We are now just 18 holes away from representing England against Wales, Ireland and Scotland in Spain next January. The winners of each of the four National Finals play for the title of Champion Golf Club of the Home Nations. The National Final next week is also being televised by SKY TV. How good is that!

Our team will be the same seven who went to Studley Wood. They are Jonny Davies, Thomas Summers, Alex Summers, Rebecca Hovell, Sam Pinkham, Connor Norman and Henry Crook. Oh how I’d love to be writing about another victory next week. So far you have read about us being League winners, County Champions and now Regional Victors. Bring on the Nationals...... I’m allowed to dream aren’t I?

 www.cpcolchester.co.uk

Bob Blair - Junior Organiser 18th October 2011

Juniors in Regional Finals next week

Our victorious County Champions play in the Regional Final of the Home International Inter-Club Championships next Monday, 17th October. The venue is Studley Wood GC in Oxfordshire. Our team all tee off between 9.45 am and 10.20 am so if you are interested in lending your support then please get there early. The team is Rebecca Hovell, Sam Pinkham, Connor Norman, Thomas Summers, Alex Summers and Jonny Davies.
Junior Organiser Bob Blair says, 'Confidence is high and we have a great chance of progressing to the National Finals the following week if we can finish either 1st or 2nd. Whatever happens from here we have achieved wonders so far.'
Everyone at the club wishes our team the best of luck.

To find out more about the venue and directions to it click here:

www.studleywoodgolfclub.co.uk

Junior Joy - GGGC are the Leicestershire+Rutland Golf Union Junior League Champions for 2011

What an amazing day at Lutterworth and what a fantastic outcome.
Our Junior Team beat Cosby GC after a sudden death play-off to become County Champions after drawing 3-3 in the Singles Matchplay Final.
Unbelievably four of those 6 matches were halved in dramatic fashion. I believe I lived through every possible emotion in that Final and I now know exactly what Monty went through at Celtic Manor a year ago. One minute we were losing and looking like beaten finalists, then we were back in it looking like victors only to be thwarted at the last gasp by a fantastic Cosby birdie in the last match of the day involving Sam 'Pinky' Pinkham.
That sent us into our second sudden death play off of the day.
In our morning semi final we had played Beedles Lake and the match finished in a 3-3 draw, whilst Cosby were beating Lingdale in the other semi-final.

In the event of a tie the top singles match have to play to a sudden death continuously over the first and 18th holes until a winner is found.
Our Captain Jonny Davies stepped up against the top player from Beedles Lake, Jordan Baker, a 3 handicapper who had already beaten Jonny 4 and 2 earlier in the day.
The odds were on Baker who had been in fine form in his match but it was Jonny D who prevailed at the 2nd extra hole after a fantastic tee shot put him in the driving seat.
So to the final after a delayed lunch.
We brought in our reserve Connor Norman to replace 13 year old Alex Summers who had a great win in his morning singles at the last hole. A terrific effort. I just had this inkling that it could happen again in the last pairing of the afternoon.
That morning match was so draining and I was really concerned that tiredness could take over. 
Young Alex accepted the decision to leave him out with great dignity and showed his true value to the Team ethic.
How prophetic my thoughts were as 'Pinky' found himself moving from 5th to 6th in the team order and standing on the 18th tee Dormie One up.
Our overall victory was then snatched away in that match by that birdie putt I mentioned leaving it all tied up at 3-3.

Oh how the afternoon matches had fluctuated and oh how my blood pressure rose and fell.
I felt like I was playing every shot, as those supporters who were near will no doubt relate.
Meanwhile my mobile phone was vibrating away continuously in my pocket as requests for updates from GGGC members came flooding in.
The Lutterworth Catering staff had to put back serving the evening meal four times as the tension became almost unbearable.

So it was down to our Captain to step out onto the first tee again to try and see off Cosby Captain Alistair Kinnaird, another 3 handicapper and County Under 18 player.
They had halved earlier with never more than one hole in it so everyone started preparing for a long play off.
The first hole saw Jonny hole a tremendous 20 foot putt for par after driving into the trees.
Kinnaird replied with a brave 6 footer for par to take the match to the 18th and the 2nd play off hole.
By this time it was 6.25pm some 11 hours since our arrival at Lutterworth.
Kinnaird hit a good drive but found himself impeded by the tree stump 40 yards short of the green, forcing him to play to the left of the green with his second.
'Captain Fantastic' hit a stunning drive that finished 10 feet short of the putting surface.
Yes it may have been downwind but given the circumstances it was the shot of a determined winner.
That drive measured 335yards and was arrow straight. Kinnaird pitched long with his 3rd shot and Jonny chipped tentatively [my nerves were jangling!] to the centre of the green and we all watched as Kinnaird rolled his putt close and made 5.
Two putts for the victory - come on Jonny you can do it - I was shaking!
A solid first putt left Jonny 2 feet under the hole and a firm second putt won the day. Stunning stuff. I'd like to say the crowd went crazy but it didn't.
There was a look of disbelief on all our faces before the victory sunk in. It was 6.40pm and GGGC Juniors had won the day.
Oh Monty I know just exactly how you felt!

This victory sees the GGGC Junior Team as the best Junior Club side out of the 24 Clubs that currently play in the L+R Junior League.
Next August we go to the home of the English Golf Union, Woodhall Spa, to play in the National Championships over 2 days. A great reward.
Six of our winning side also get to play in the Home Nations Inter Club Regional Finals in Oxfordshire next month. I can't wait.
Many thanks to those supporters who witnessed this achievement first hand.
Hopefully this write up will be a good substitute for those who missed it.

To our wonderful Junior Team a massive well done to all of you. Everyone of our team contributed to our points total on Final's day.
Congratulations to the 'magnificent seven' comprising Jonny Davies, Thomas Summers, Rebecca Hovell, Sam Pinkham, James Mackay, Alex Summers and Connor Norman.

Bob Blair - Junior Organiser
12/09/2011

Congratulations to our Junior League Team who have won their League despite a narrow defeat in their final game against Luffenham Heath. All the hard work was done with 4 straight victories over Market Harborough, Kibworth, The Leicestershire and Oadby, before the Luffenham game last Friday.

Whilst it would have great to finish the League games unbeaten we now go forward to the County Junior League Finals day at Lutterworth Golf Club on Sunday 11th September. We have a great chance of being County champions if we play to our potential. We certainly have an excellent team who will all give it their best shot on the day.

There are four Junior Leagues in the L+RGU, each made up from six clubs. The format on the 11th September is for all 4 League winners to play their semi-finals on the Sunday morning with the winners going forward to the final in the afternoon. The semi-final draw is made on the day. There is also a play off for 3rd and 4th place. Each team consists of 6 players who each play a Singles Match Play game against their opposite number. Each player is numbered 1-6 in strict Handicap order so the lowest handicapper always plays the lowest with shots being given. So far only Lingdale are also assured of a place in the Finals day as we await the completion of several matches over the next few days to see who else will be involved.

Good luck to our team. We hope for plenty of support of the day so it would be great to see some of you there. Competitive Junior Golf does not allow for caddys or on course coaching but this will not prevent you from getting close up to the action. The day starts around 9am. As soon as I have more information I will let you know via the website.

Bob Blair - Junior Organiser

Junior News from the half term break
 
What a busy half term week for our Juniors and yet again they all came away from several events with big smiles and their heads held high.
 
Sunday 29th May was the Leicestershire GC Junior Festival of Golf, which saw 24 teams, each of 5 players, from a host of County Clubs competing for some coveted prizes.
As usual and because of our long-standing support of the competition, Glen Gorse were invited to enter two teams. The format is 4 medal scores out of 5 to count for both Gross and Nett Team prizes. There were also individual prizes.
Our 'B' Team consisting of Rebecca Hovell, James Mackay, Connor Norman, Henry Crook and Fame Grayson finished a very creditable 2nd in the Nett Team event. Our 'A' Team consisting of Gee-won Park, Thomas Summers, Alex Summers, Sam Pinkham and Emily Jefferson came 4th in the same competition just 6 shots behind the 'B' Team.
Gee-won Park won best girl with 79-10 nett 69 and Rebecca Hovell picked up the nearest the pin prize.
Well done to all who took part. A very enjoyable day.
 
On Tuesday 31st May seven of our Juniors played in the Cosby Open in very tricky conditions. Well done to Fame Grayson who won Best Girl Nett and who has started her defence of the County Oder of Merit for Girls with top points.
 
On Wednesday 1st June the Halle Cup was played for at GGGC. This is a pairs competition and we had a fantastic turn out of 14 pairs [28 young golfers] with some super scoring and the top 4 spots being separated by a point. A big well done to 2 of our youngest players, Matthew Griffiths and Ryan Davies, who won the event with 42 pts on countback from Danny Mason and Ashley Kirby. Gee-won Park and Fame Grayson came 3rd on 41pts beating Sam Pinkham and Ben Packwood on countback.
 
Thursday 2nd June saw our Junior side play their first League Match of the season away at Mkt Harborough. We came away with a superb 5-1 victory, which included a debut win for Alex Summers who played at number six. Well done team.
 
Finally Friday 3rd June was Kibworth Junior Open day and we sent along 23 of our Juniors to attempt to plunder the Prize Locker. Well done to Sam Pinkham [under 16 nett winner], Emily Jefferson [best girl nett] and Matthew Griffiths who scored 46 pts in the higher handicap Stableford competition and finished 2nd. The winner got 51 pts! Eric Tetchner and I had a super day and it was great to see so many of our youngsters playing. As usual you were all a credit to GGGC, both on and off the Course.
 
Bob Blair - Junior Organiser - 8th June 2011   

Thanks to all those who took part in the Spring Tankard on Friday 22nd April and the Junior Handicap Cup on Wed 27th April.
Here are the results:

SPRING TANKARD 

The winner was Dev Popat with 41 pts. 
 
Runner up on 37 pts was Henry Crook [on countback]
 
3rd place James Mackay 37pts
 
4th place on 37pts [again on countback] was David Willis.
 
Total competitors, 15 all playing from the Yellow Tees [boys] or Red Tees [girls] 

JUNIOR HANDICAP CUP

Winner was Sam Pinkham nett 71 [from the white Tees]
 
Div One [White tees for boys/0-28 handicaps]
 
1st Matthew Brown nett 72
2nd Alex Summers nett 73
3rd Thomas Summers nett 74
 
Div Two [Yellow Tees for boys/29-40 handicaps]
 
1st Nasir Haydari nett 71
2nd Charlie Hallam nett 76
3rd Neil Hodson nett 76 [lost 2nd place on countback]
 
Div Three [Yellow Tees for boys/41-54 handicaps]
 
1st Jack Fallows nett 59
2nd Jareth Lang nett 62
3rd Sam Brown nett 64
 
Total competitors, 26 - a fantastic turn out.
 
Well done to all those who were in the prizes in both events. All handicap revisions have been posted on the Junior Notice Board.
 
Bob Blair - 2/5/11

Jonny Davies has eventually driven in as Junior Captain for the 2011 Season. A broken arm prevented him joining the official 'Drive-in' Party last October but did not deter him from hitting the 'big one' on a glorious April Sunday lunchtime.

GLEN GORSE GC - JUNIOR FIXTURES 2011

February 
Fri 25th Junior Half Term Stableford 9.30am - 10.30am
 
March 
Sun 20th Junior 12 hole Fun Golf 2.00pm – 3.00pm 
Sun 27th Junior 12 Hole Fun Golf 2.00pm – 3.00pm
 
April 
Fri 22nd Junior Spring Tankard Single Medal 10.00am – 11.00am Qualifier 
Wed 27th Junior Handicap Cup Single Medal 9.30am - 10.30am Qualifier 
Fri 29th Junior Fun Golf 12 holes 9.30am - 10.30am