Men's Club Championships 2016

On Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th July, an impressive field of 101 competitors took part in the Golf At Goodwood Men’s Club Championship 2016. The scoring format was medal being played over 36 holes. Round one was played on the Park Course and round two on the Downs Course.

The draw for tee times on day one was done in handicap order; the lowest handicap players leading the rest of the field out on to the Park course at 7:30am, whilst the last tee time was at 1.10pm. The overall weather conditions on day one were pleasant with the sun shining and not a breath of wind in the air. With the Park Course being in the best condition it has been in all year, all 101 players were in for a treat. With this championship being played from the white tee, it was crucial for players to maintain the physical and mental endurance required for the 36-hole battle.

The early clubhouse lead was set by the current Club Champion, Dave Porter, with a stunning 73 (+1) starting his quest for victory with 11 straight pars on the Park Course. Not too far behind was Ken Gold with an impressive 75 (+3) consisting of five birdies. The round one clubhouse nett lead was set by Simon Spicer with a jaw dropping nett 62, playing 10 shots under his handicap. Following this incredible score, Spicer would be cut six full shots from 16 to 10 due to exceptional scoring reduction. The course standard scratch for the day was a one over par 73 including one eagle, 74 birdies and 591 bogeys from the field.

With ten players within six shots of the gross leader, round two was set to be an exciting battle on the Downs Course. A great second round score came from Oliver Hamlett 67 (-4) consisting of two back to back birdies on the 11^th and 12^th hole. On the day, it was no surprise to discover that the hole playing the easiest was the sixth – playing 0.6 over par and the hardest holes was the 14^th – playing 1.6 over par. A special mention goes to Charlie Parsons and Paul Millard for scoring very impressive eagle threes on the tough par five 11^th hole on the Downs.

The battle for the Nett Club Championships seemed to be a one horse race after the first round. However, Oliver Hamlett did not want to back down with two very solid rounds of golf (75+67). The eventual nett winner managed to hold on to their four shot lead with a round of nett 77 to take the titles of Nett Club Champion 2016 – well done Simon Spicer!

Moving onto the gross competition, Dave Porter, the current Men’s Club Champion, set the clubhouse lead after round one in a quest to retain the trophy. Daniel Taylor was determined to post a strong come back from his round one score of 80 (+8). Following this with a great second round of 73 (+2) on the Downs Course with his round containing four birdies, two of which were back to back to finish his round on seventeen and eighteen. However, the consistency of Dave Porter left many golfers in awe pulling together an almighty final round of 71 (Level) containing three birdies to claim the Club Championship title by a staggering nine shots.