Men's Club Championship 2018

The weather was glorious throughout club championships week with both courses in the best condition that we have been seen for the competition.

Day one on The Park proved tough with many amusing tales of woe. There were 21 members who had gross rounds of over 100 with nine people choosing to NR. The rough was incredibly penal, and the fairways and greens were firm and fast running at 11.2 on the stimpmeter. Huge credit must go to The Park green staff for a creating such a test of golf.

The main story of the day was the success of the juniors, who propped up the leaderboard. Six out of the top 12 players were juniors, Pete Davies shot 76, Xan Westerdjik and Joe Sykes shot 78. Jamie Burchell also in there with a 79.

There was also a surprise package in Scott Wilson who had the round of the day with a nett 68, five-over par playing off nine. He won the first round nett by three strokes and given the overall scoring on the day this truly was a special round and would leave Wilson in contention for the gross competition as well.

Last year's play-off winner, Leonardo Ruggieri had a mixed day with inconsistency the main issue. He had two birdies and two bogeys on the outward nine for a level par front, but on the back nine, he dropped five shots with only an eagle on 14 to rescue his round. All said and done he shot three-over-par.

Dave Porter did not have the start that he would have wanted with a double bogey on the first and bogey on the second. The bad form would continue and on the 8th tee, Porter was four-over-par. However, from here on in he was flawless with a birdie on the 8th and then three more on the back nine with two in a row on 17 and 18, which meant Porter was the overnight leader with a round of 72.

The early starters on day two at The Downs arrived knowing that they had a lot to do. Most of the stories of their rounds involved the challenge of breaking 100. Gary Buckley regaled a moment on the 18th green where he celebrated holing a six-footer to finished on 99.

The high scoring from the early starters proved to be a trend for the day, in what was to be an incredibly unpredictable afternoon of golf from the back of the field.

The challenge for the chasing pack was to put some early pressure on Porter. However, the groups behind struggled early on and most players were moving backwards with bogeys and worse. Paul Hazell hung in there superbly and was level par through eight holes, however a few nightmare moments with a seven down the 9th and again on the 14th meant that he would come up just short of the gross competition but did take home the nett competition.

Phil Birch had the round of the day with a four-over par 76, with highlights of birdies on the 11th and 17th.

Ruggieri needed Porter to have a bad day to have a chance. A bogey on the first set the tone and then trouble again on the third hole meant that Porter was five-over-par overall after nine holes. Opportunity for last year’s champion to strike, but he too struggled with bogeys on two, three and four and despite a birdie on the 6th, he then double bogeyed the 7th meaning after nine he had only recovered one shot.

Ruggieri then turned it round being only one under through 10 to 12 with Porter two-over-par, meaning the scores were level. Sadly Ruggieri's golf and course management let him down. He went right off the tee down 13 and would result in a double bogey. Meanwhile, Porter knocked his iron shot to six foot and holed the putt for birdie, with him having a three-shot swing with five holes to play.

Porter showed his wisdom and experience down the stretch and despite not playing his best golf, he did what he needed to do to finish the job off. All in all, Porter’s back nine on Saturday on The Park proved crucial as it gave him the cushion which enabled him to get over the line.

Special mention must go to Joe Sykes, who at the age of 13, finished fourth in the gross competition with a second round score of 81.

Congratulations to 2018 Men’s Club Champion, Dave Porter.

Round 1:

Nett Div 1: Scott Wilson (69)
Nett Div 2: David Ko (73)
Gross Div 1: Peter Davies (76)
Gross Div 2: Andrew McQueen (88)

Round 2:

Nett Div 1: Robert Shorey (74)
Nett Div 2: Paul Stratton (80)
Gross Div 1: Brian Arnell (77)
Gross Div 2: Ian White (99)

Men’s Nett Champion – Paul Hazall (75+73=148)
2nd – Jamie Burchell (70+75 = 148)
3rd– Alexander Westerdijk (73+77 = 150)
4th – Phil Birch (82+70 = 152)

Gross
Men’s Club Champion – Dave Porter (72 + 82 = 154)
2nd – Paul Hazell (79+77 = 156)
3rd – Leo Ruggieri (90+87 = 156)
4th – Joe Sykes (78+81=159)

For interviews with our winner Dave Porter and to watch the final five holes live, please visit our Facebook page.