Bowood Star Wins County Championship

In the most appalling weather conditions fifty five of Wiltshire’s best (and bravest) golfers fought out the County Championship over 36-holes at the fabulous Tidworth Garrison Golf Club on Sunday 16th May.

As the first round started, so did the rain! It is a huge credit to Course Manager Damion that despite torrential rain almost continuously falling all day, the links stood up to it amazingly well with firm fairways and fast, true greens.

Early pace-setters after 18 holes were Colin Edwards (Cumberwell Park) and Paul Sandry (Broome Manor) with 73’s, but these were eclipsed when Ashley Monaghan (Kingsdown) carded a brilliant 71 during the worst of the conditions. Could anyone snatch the lead away from him was the question…the answer being no!

However, past Champion Garry Slade (Bowood) came close with a 72, and defending Champion Tom Law (Broome Manor) equalled Ash’s efforts with a fine 71, so it was all set up for an exciting conclusion.

Just when you thought the weather could not get any worse…it did! Monsoon-like rain was accompanied by squally winds, and it was only the tieless effort of Club Manager Alan Paterson and Wiltshire Golf Referees Paul Berry, Nigel Duda, Don Donaldson and Graeme Wearn that kept the greens playable.

It soon became apparent that it would take a Herculean effort to reel in the front runners, but Matt Redgrave (Tidworth Garrison), Jonny Grace (Cumberwell Park) and Mike White (West Wilts) gave it a good go with brilliant 73’s. The task of overhauling him was made even harder when Ash Monaghan returned an afternoon 72 for a total of 143 (and then went off to defrost under a sun lamp!).

Tom Law had a 4 foot put on the last to match the leader, but it slipped agonisingly past and he had to settle for 144…and so, only 1 player had a realistic chance of catching the long-time leader. Garry had to shoot 71 to force a playoff, and 70 for an outright win. Entering the infamous Tidworth Loop, a comparable stretch of holes to Amen Corner, The Green Mile or the Bear Trap he was level, but two birdies saw him safely home with an amazing 69 and a total of 141 to win by two.

Having lost an epic 6-hole sudden death playoff to Tom Law in 2020, the look on Garry’s face when he was informed it was another one was priceless, but fortunately for the operations Director, he saw the funny side of it!

Congratulations also to the Tidworth Team of Jonathan Howse, Matt Redgrave and Max Wrixon who fought off a spirited challenge from Cumberwell Park to win the Team Shield and qualify for the National Finals at Knole Park Golf Club in September.

Wiltshire Golf would like to thank Tidworth Manager Alan Paterson, Captain David Bayne, House Manager Paul McNicol, Course Manager Damion Woods and all Tidworth members for making us so welcome, and putting on such a great Championship in appalling conditions.

Finally, our volunteers, without whom we cannot put on any events at all. Thanks must go to all the spotters from Tidworth, to Sue Lyons (Competitions Director), all our Referees (who are now honorary members of BIGGA for their squeegee skills) and our brilliant Competitions Manager Nick Chapman.

So, onwards to South West Week at Burnham and Berrow, with fingers firmly crossed for better weather. All our other County competitions are open for sign up on the website www.wiltshiregolf.org  - you never know….the sun may even make an appearance!

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