New golf challenge on the cards at Cowdray Park

Teams of three are being sought for the Cowdray Corporate Challenge, which stages its first qualifier in the first week of May. It’s a stableford for players with a current handicap certificate and the winning team will receive a three-night stay in a hotel in Jersey. The prize will include travel to and from the island, a hire car and rounds of golf at La Moye, Royal Jersey and Les Mielles Golf Club. The runners-up will scoop a golf and racing package at the Lingfield Park Marriott, including an overnight stay. There will also be prizes for the top two individuals at each qualifier. Qualifying rounds of the challenge will be played at the magnificent Midhurst course on Wednesday, May 4, Wednesday, June 15, and Wednesday, July 6, leading to the final on Wednesday, August 10. The maximum handicap allowance is 24 for men, 32 for ladies. It’s three-quarters of handicaps and ladies will play off the men’s card and receive three extra shots before calculations. The final will feature the three winning teams from each qualifier, who will play combined stablefords. A prac tice day is planned on Tuesday, August 9. To enter, call 01730 813599 or email enquiries@cowdraygolf.co.uk Cowdray Park seniors kicked off their marathon season of 54 inter-club matches at home to Ham Manor, and carried on as they left off the previous season – with a victory, this time with a resounding 8-0 scoreline. Brilliant sunshine highlighted the superb condition of the course – a real tribute to the hard work of the greens staff after a severe winter. Players were able to cast aside the jackets and mitts and their new-found freedom led to vastly improved performances. Seniors’ captain and match manager Peter Burton and partner Derek Smith set the tone with an exciting 2&1 win. They were followed by wins of 6&4 and 6&5. Pat Harrison, working his way back after injury, won 3&2 with partner Tony Castley. Results (Cowdray names first): Peter Burton & Derek Smith beat Alan Orr & Bob Saddler 2&1; John Doran & Alan Godfree beat Vic Coles & John Barr 6&4; Ian Heustice & Rob Doney beat Gerald Casey & Colin Jones 2&1; Allen Sibley & Gordon Kendall beat Brian Parncutt & John Green 6&5; Dave Tilley & Graham Evans beat Mike Warnock & Ray Tucker 4&2; Pat Harrison & Tony Castley beat Steve Tellyn & Dave Soutar 3&2; Rex Woods & David Laver beat Mike Spooner & Peter White 6&5; Dave Darby & Bill Hummerston beat John Christian & Derek Duncanson 6&4. With the winter weather finally relenting, Cowdray Park seniors have been able to make up time in their Winter Knockout competitions. In the singles (Sandell Trophy), Frank Cheevers defeated Keith Chapman in the semi-final and awaits the victor of the other semi-final between Phil Harrison and Ray Dowse. In the doubles (Barham Salver), Mike Hancock and Harrison again await the winners out of Trevor Edwards/Chris Harridge and Dave Tilley/David Laver. BOGNOR Sixty-one ladies competed in the Memorial Bowl stableford, a new competition created in memory of Margo Dalgliesh, who died last year. She had been a member for many years and was captain in 1973. She was always willing to help once she could no longer play, checking scorecards, helping the juniors, selling raffle tickets or manning stalls. She always had a tale to tell and is very much missed. The Memorial Bowl is also for others Bognor’s ladies would like to remember. The Memorial Bowl was won by Marge Fenwick with 43 points. Results: Silver: 1 Sue Crossen 39pts, 2 Gill Harries 37, 3 Lynn Miller 35, 4 Caroline Pilbeam 34. Bronze A: 1 Marge Fenwick 43, 2 Jane Russell 37, 3 Doris Thomas 36. Bronze B: 1 Brigitta Paul 38, 2 Maleta Moore 33 ocb, 3 June Smith 33, 4 Christine Downie 32. The veterans’ section at Bognor GC (pictured at the top of the article) opened their new season on a spring-like day with a 6½-1½ home win against Waterlooville. Peter Lott excelled in being only one over par in his match with Peter McCormack, which they won 5&4. This was a particularly good start to the year – with only another 35 matches home and away to be played! Results: John Owen & Peter Barker won 6&4, Andy Bence & Joe Cookson halved, Richard Hedge & Paul Black lost 6&4, Barry Vanstone & John Wyatt won 2 & 1, Frank Hodder & Clive Millett won 4&3, Gary Steventon & Brian Wolstencroft won 3&2, David Burden & Mike Wadley won 5&4. Some 41 members took part in a Stableford off the white tees. JJ Stephenson was the winner with 39 points on countback from Louis Harrison and David Barfield. Harrison, the junior captain, is playing exceptionally well off five. A total of 17 members took part in the MWS competition off the yellow tees. Mark Ireland was the winner with 46 points, with Barry Ingate second on 38 on countback from Denis Smith. There were 22 entrants for the Men’s Saturday roll-up stableford off the whites. The winner was 17-year-old James Ashman, playing off two, with 42 points. Second was Bob Wilson on 39. Gary Embleton with 37 points was third on countback from Norman Lee and Daniel Hoare, who is junior vice-captain and is playing off nine. AVISFORD PARK Avisford Park members faced the Trouts, with Avisford losing 5-3. Results: C Corbin & S Peat beat M Jones & B Redden 3&2; C Butler & I Hardwell lost to D Rosin & P Rosin 4&3; G Stillwell & C Wall lost to D Badrick, P Davis 1 down; N Finneran & D Rudman lost to I Franklin & D Lewis 4&3; D Every & A Noble lost to B Johnson & T Perrin 5&4; B Boulter & P Raikes lost to R Chick & G Elliott 3&1; R West & M Chitty beat P Fry & K Dowling 5&4; R Coulson & V Lampitt beat C Horn & J Greenfield 4&2. Also at Avisford, Tony Lee was celebrating after landing a hole-in-one on the 18th. The senior stableford was won in division one by Michael Paige with 38 points and in division two by Colin Coe with 40. The midweek medal was won by Vinny Lampitt with nett 66, while the ladies’ stableford was won by Sue Sargeant with 34.