The 2017 Sussex Amateur Championship took place at Copthorne Golf Club from Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th June. 72 golfers from across the county took part in the flagship amateur event of the Sussex golf calendar.
JUN 05th 2017
Tull and Lavington fly the Goodwood flag
Golf At Goodwood were represented by scratch team members Nick Tull and Matt Lavington who faced a particularly strong field, consisting of many ex PGA professionals, scratch and plus handicap golfers.
The Championship is made up of a 36 hole medal on the Friday followed by a weekend of match play in which the top 16 places golfers are whittled down to just one, the Sussex Amateur Champion.
Friday morning's scores were impressive in unpredictable weather conditions. The Goodwood pair had a challenging afternoon ahead if they were going to make the cut, after both posting opening rounds of 77, five over par. However, Tull produced one of the lowest rounds of the afternoon with a fine two under par 70 which saw him qualify for the weekend's match play knockout, taking 16th place on countback.
With Tull qualifying in 16th place, this meant he had the tough task of playing the winner of Friday's qualifying; Steve Watts of Seaford Golf Club. It was a slow start for Tull, however he soon burst into life with four birdies on the back nine taking the match to a play-off. Both players set off down the first play-off hole, with a par for Tull being enough to see him through to the last eight, a truly fantastic achievement.
Tull's quarter final match was against Ed Richardson of Rye Golf Club. Richardson had been described in the days leading up to the event as 'the man the winner would have to beat'; a previous international amateur golfer and past winner of the Sussex Amateur Championships. Tull fought hard against his opponent but his bid for a place in Sunday's finals day was not to be. Richardson went on to become the 2017 runner-up, losing the final to Sam Jarvis of Ifield GC.
It's great to see Golf At Goodwood members performing well in Sussex's most prestigious competitions. Nick is also the captain of the Goodwood Scratch Team who have been performing particularly well and have progressed through to the quarter finals of the Oliver Trophy, Sussex's inter-club scratch match play championship.
The team face a tough test away to Littlehampton GC on Saturday 15th July; their opportunity to overturn the 2016 defeat to the same club and win a place in the semi-final. All spectators, supporters and caddies are welcome and would very much be appreciated by the team in what will no doubt be an exciting match.