Senior's Club Championship 2018

The Park Course played host on day one, in possibly the best conditions we have seen during a club championship. Nick Elverson, who last year was disqualified, had an incredible come back with a stunning round of 67 nett despite a double hit from the back of the 18th.

With more seniors playing than ever before, the nett scoring was tight with eight players beating their handicaps, in a week where The Park proved to be tougher than ever.

Goodwood's very own marshal, Roland Howley, led the field at the end of day one with a solid eight-over-par with last year's champion Robert Mummery and Gordon Simpson just one shot behind going into the final round.

On day two The Downs played host in what was set to be an exciting day. It was yet another tough day for scoring with standard scratch going up by two and only three players breaking handicap all day. Stephen Marks shone brighter than the rest with a nett 67, which was enough to take the Nett Club Championship ahead of Jesse Grant and set the bar for his wife later on in the week.

When it came to crowning the senior's Club Championship, it was a far closer story. Martin Leo and Darryll Mendoza exchanged the lead various teams, with a great up and down from Mendoza on the 16th hole for birdie to tie the lead with Leo going into the final two holes. However, the 17th bunker on the left of the green has proved to be the graveyard of champions over the years and Mendoza ended up there after a slightly pulled tee shot which Leo took advantage of and hit a great shot to the middle of the green.

It was far from over as both had great drives down 18 and a birdie from Mendoza could have been the difference. However his body language told the story as he leaked his approach right in between the bunker and the green, Leo failed to capitalise and left his approach half a club short at the bottom of the slope at the entrance of the green.

Leo elected to play a bump and run and despite slightly heavy contact, found the green about 10ft short. Mendoza needed to get up and down to force a play-off, he played a delicate chip which left him about 8ft away, he hit a good putt but narrowly missed meaning Martin Leo was left with two putts up the hill to be crowned Seniors Club Champion and he duly delivered!

Congratulations to Martin and Stephen on fantastic wins.

Round 1:
Best Gross Score – Roland Howley (80)
Best Nett Score – Nick Elverson(67)

Round 2:
Best Gross Score – Rick Priest (84)
Best Nett Score – Brian Saunders (74)

36 Hole Seniors Club Championship:
Nett
Senior Nett Champion – Steve Marks (74+67=141)
2nd – Jesse Grant (73+69 = 142)
3rd– Barry Cannon (68+76 = 144)

Gross
Seniors Club Champion – Martin Leo (82 + 79 = 161)
2nd – Darryll Mendoza (82+80 = 162)
3rd – Robert Mummery (81+82 = 163)

For interviews with our winner Martin Leo and videos from the day, please visit our Facebook page.