Outstanding golf from the Juniors in the SWGC Open
A big field of juniors from 10 clubs competed in the Junior Open at Saffron Walden Golf Club last Friday. 36 players aged from 13 to 17 took part, playing 18 holes of stroke play. It was pleasing to see an increase in the number of girls taking part, up to 8 this year.
The best gross score and trophy winner was Oliver Rust of Gog Magog with a 74, 2 over par. Saffron Walden juniors took 2nd and 3rd places, Joseph Gamble winning on count back from this year's junior captain, as both finished on 76.
Leo Bonser of Saffron Walden put in an outstanding performance to return an exceptional nett score of 64, playing 8 under his handicap, to win the nett prize. Bonser had already seen his handicap cut the week before, and his Open performance has resulted in a further 2 stroke cut to 13. His round of gross 79 showed remarkable consistency with 12 holes in par and only 1 double bogey. In second place was Lucy Pepper of Gog Magog with nett 65; Joseph Bell of Bishops Stortford was 3rd with nett 67.
In a seperate 9 hole competition for higher handicappers Ben Haynes with nett 44 was 1st, and Jack Sparrow, only 7 years old, was second with nett 49; both players are from Saffron Walden.
Junior British Legion
Saffron Walden A Junior Team travelled to Beadlow Manor Golf Club on the 29th August to play in the final 16 of the Royal British Legion Golf Challenge.
The match started off with the first pairing of Richard Hall and Louis Martin, followed by Callum Brookes and Josh Izod.
The first match was incredibly tight and saw Richard and Louis halving their game. Callum and Josh's was also close, but they managed to win 2 up resulting in an overall victory for Saffron Walden A.
This takes the team into the quarter finals where we will be playing at home to East Berks.
Good luck to the team, and watch this space to find out how they get on.
Match report by Richard Hall, Junior Captain
Staff update from PGA Pro Sarah Smith
As you may know I'm playing in an Access Tour Event at Stoke By Nayland Golf Club in the first week of October. I'd like to have a few practice rounds before the event for good preparation and for one of my rounds so I would like to invite Saffron Walden members to join me for a pro's away day.
The day which is pencilled in the diary is Wednesday, 28 September, with a lunch time tee off. There will be bacon rolls & coffee/tea on arrival and a one course meal after play (off a set menu)
The cost of the day is £55, played on the Gainsborough Course.
If you are interested if joining me, please let me know ASAP by emailing pga_sarahsmith@hotmail.com, or catch me at the club.
This day is open to all members and final numbers will need to be confirmed a week before the date.
Sarah Smith
PGA Professional
Luffenham Heath Pro-Am
Last Friday, the pro shop's Aaron was joined with Mark Jones, Michael Price and Andrew Fisher at the Luffenham Heath Pro-Am. For any members who haven't played the course, Luffenham Heath is a real gem located in the Midlands and only an hour and a quarter from Saffron Walden Golf Club.
With the course receiving a deluge of rain overnight, it was playing much tougher and longer than usual. Battling a sickness bug all the way round, Aaron amazingly managed to birdie the third and the eleventh holes, but eventually dropped to a three over 73 for a mid-table result in the individual event.
In the team event, all the players struggled with the cross wind conditions and even commented how every hole felt like it played into a strong head wind. However, despite the course length and the odd foray into Luffenham's bunkers, Mike Price managed to keep the same ball all the way round. Mark Jones was getting to grips with his Luffenham introduction by bombing some long straight drives and striking his long irons well. Meanwhile, Andrew Fisher was Mr Consistency off the tee with his new Callaway XR driver.
With an even par team score at the halfway mark, the team decided that a back nine charge was desperately needed. However, a combination of consuming complimentary beers and hotdogs at the halfway house wasn't the correct catalyst.
Even though they didn't challenge the leaders this time, an end result of three under was pretty good considering no one played their best. A great day out was enjoyed with some fine weather and good company on a very demanding course. The team have vowed to reunite for another challenge next year.
On August 25, the Seniors team lead by Chris Martin, match captain, enjoyed a good day's golf at Bourn. Thankfully the early morning heavy rain had petered out by the time the first group teed off.
Saffron Walden lost 5-3 but this meant an aggregate 9-7 victory.
A special mention to Alf Magona for winning nearest the pin on the 11th
Millennium Week - the entry notice is in the changing room. Please add your name if you are interested.
The Seniors AGM & Prize Giving will take place after lunch on Friday, 7 October.
Mizuno Demo Day - Wednesday, 5 October
We are pleased to announce that we will be holding a demo day with Mizuno on Wednesday, 5 October here at Saffron Walden. This is the perfect opportunity to try out the superb JPX ranges of drivers and woods, plus the super new JPX900 range of irons that we announced in last week's newsletter.
If you missed this, click here to find out more including some videos of Callum in action.
FREE fitting slots will be available from 12pm - 5pm, and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Click here to get in touch if you would like to reserve a fitting slot.
Our Summer Sale has proved a huge success so far, with members picking up some fantastic offers here in the pro shop.
This week we have got our final reduction sale on our FootJoy and Oscar Jacobson clothing ranges, with polo tops from just £35.
This offer will continue while our stocks last, so make sure you drop in while the best styles and sizes last.
Both of our learn golf in an afternoon sessions are now fully booked, and it's great to see such a positive response from our prospective golfers.
If you are still interested in getting into golf, or simply improving your golf with us here at Saffron Walden, click here to get in touch and we can discuss the best way forward for you.