Wiltshire Golf
Due to early morning fog the 2023 Wiltshire Golf Men’s Championship was reduced from 36 to 18 holes, but that in no way reduced the excitement and the field of 73 provided great entertainment.
Of the earlier starters home player Paul Sandry took the early lead with a 1 over par 73, but this was eclipsed by Freddie Titcombe (Broome Manor) who returned a brilliant 4 under 68. Former Champions Tom Law (Marlborough) and Garry Slade (Cumberwell Park) both shot level par 72s to finish tied 4th, and Cumberwell Park’s Martin Sell went 3 better but it appeared that Freddie’s lead was unassailable. However, nobody had told Tom Scullion (Upavon) and the American-based student tied the lead with another 68.
And so to a playoff - an early bogey on the first extra hole put Tom firmly behind the 8 ball, and steady golf over the 3 holes saw Freddie take the title with a level par total to Tom’s 2 over.
Freddie is pictured accepting the trophy from Wiltshire Golf Vice-President Ian Wood.
Huge thanks go to all the members and staff of Marlborough Golf Club for their warm welcome, and allowing the county to hold the event. Also many thanks to Head Green keeper Zac Brooks and Club Manager Steve Scott-Bowen for their invaluable help and efforts setting up the Championship.
These events do not run themselves, and the county would like to thank all the volunteers who assisted on the day - rules officials Paul Berry and Nigel Duda, former Presidents Jerry Gegg and Barrie Reardon-Smith, Nick Chapman and Colin Rossiter all made sure that the day ran smoothly despite the poor weather.
Finally many thanks to Vice-President Ian Wood for presenting the prizes on one of his first official engagements - here’s to many more!