Penge helps Golf At Goodwood progress in Oliver Trophy

Goodwood hosted a confident Bognor team consisting of some young guns and some experienced veteran campaigners on a bright and breezy day on the Downs Course. The knockout competition challenges 42 clubs from across Sussex to compete in gruelling 36-hole matchplay contests.

Playing off the white tees each team consisting of eight players contested 4 x foursomes scratch matchplay matches in the morning followed by eight singles scratch matchplay matches in the afternoon.

Golf At Goodwood ambassador Marco Penge, who was having the weekend off representing England due to his impending 18th birthday the following day, and Stuart Gillett got things off to a strong start for Golf At Goodwood winning 5&4 in the first morning match. James Browne and 2015 Golf At Goodwood Junior Club Champion, Leonardo Ruggieri, faired even better winning out in the country 6&5. Andy Brown, Goodwood's head green keeper for the Downs Course,  who is also Bognor's team captain and his partner won their match convincingly 4&3, leaving Goodwood Club champion Dave Porter and Nick Tull to win a closely fought match on the final hole 1up to help Golf At Goodwood to a 3 - 1 lead at lunchtime. 

The afternoon's singles matches were played in benign conditions and beautiful sunshine which enhanced stunning views of the South Downs, the Solent and Isle of Wight beyond. Bognor staged a decent fightback winning 3 & 1/2 points in the afternoon session but wins for Goodwood’s Penge, Porter and Tull added to half points secured by Dyson, Browne and Ruggieri, giving Golf At Goodwood victory with a final score of 7&1/2  -  4&1/2 points.

Golf At Goodwood will now travel to play Littlehampton Golf Club away in the third round of The Oliver's Trophy on Saturday 28th May.