Pro Shop Update

There has been a lot going on in the Pro Shop in the last few months with lots of notable achievements to let you know about.

Jonny has had a very busy golf schedule, competing in various stroke-play and match-play competitions. Playing in all kinds of conditions, mostly wet, Jonny has had some really good results.

Back in June he finished 3rd in the PGA Golf College Challenge at Lindfield Golf Club with scores of 68 (L) and 66 (-2).

He has also made the cut and finished inside the top 15 in the last two PGA South Region Order of merit events at Clandon Regis Golf Club and Princes. Unfortunately the PGA Assistants championship didn't go to plan as Jonny narrowly missed the cut by 1 shot at a rather blustery Coxmoor Golf Club in Nottingham which Jonny rated very highly as a golf course. Anyone knowing Jonny and how far he hits the ball, the first hole with wind straight into him reduced his drive to 230 yards showing just how strong the wind was!

Jonny also competed in the Sussex Pro's Championship at West Hove Golf Club and finished second shooting a 68 (-2) in the afternoon rising him from a first round position of 12th to 2nd. Last week Jonny had another good finish in Sussex finishing 4th at the Sussex Open at Piltdown Golf Club after leading the first round with a score of 67. 

Jonny has been working his way through three different matchplay competitions this season. One of which was the Sussex Pairs Championship where he and his partner lost in the final at Cooden Beach. The second was the PGA Assistants & Trainees matchplay of which he won last year and you may have seen the trophy in the shop. Jonny was desperate to retain his title but unfortunately lost on the 21st hole in a birdie-fest final which was held at Cottesmore. 

He is currently in the last 8 of the main PGA Professionals matchplay and is due to play his next match next week at Rochester & Cobham, so we will keep you up to date on his progress. 

He is also leading the Assistants and Trainees order of merit of which he won last year with one event left to play, so he is hoping to hang on to it. Last year this saw him nominated for PGA Assistant Professional of the year which he missed out to someone who had achieved great things academically, so hopefully retention of this Order of Merit title will see us have the best Assistant Professional in the UK!!

In the words of Jonny, the season is coming to a close now but hopefully he can get another win and stop being a bridesmaid before the winter closes in.

Sam has been playing well himself and won most of his captain and pro matches with the lady captain, except when I stepped in for one match against a strong Furtado & Furtado pairing. He also played in the fourball championship qualifier with Jonny at Surbiton Golf Club, carding 6 birdies himself and helping them qualify in a playoff for the main event held at Whittlebury Park Golf Club in Northamptonshire. Unfortunately the boys missed the cut on -4, but a great accolade to make the finals which Jonny and I also qualified for last year. Next year it's Mine and Sam's go so hopefully we can do the same.

Last month we held the Sussex PGA Championship here at Royal Ashdown, with one round on the West Course and one round on the Old Course. As always scoring on the West Course is always higher than anticipated showing local knowledge is paramount as with a field of 36 Professional's the average score was 74, 6 over par. I was fortunate enough to be leading after the first round on the West Course with a 67(-1) which saw me one shot ahead going into the second round. Two 20 foot putts on 16 and 17 helped my birdie count and shoot a great score on the tougher of the two courses to shoot under par on in my opinion. Sam and Jonny didn't fair as well as they shot round of 72 (+4) & 73 (+5) on the West Course.

With a 20 minute turn around for my second round as there were some very slow players in the field, It appeared I lost my game in the afternoon starting with a 3 putt on the first green having hit it on the wrong tier and followed with more bogeys and a double bogey on the 7th to see my 5 over par through 7 holes. I fought back in wet conditions while not striking the ball very well, with a highlight of a 3 iron hit on the 16th hole to three feet for birdie, and finished my round with a 76 (+4). 

Unknown to me as I was the last group in, Sam had been sitting in the clubhouse nervously waiting as he had followed his morning score up with a 71 (-1) on the Old Course to be leading by two. I came in and saw that we were both tied on 3 over par after the two rounds, but unfortunately for us a playoff was not needed as the penultimate group ahead of us saw the winner card a 70 (-2) and two under par total to snatch victory from us. It is safe to say we were extremely pleased with our tied second place which further emulates how we answer the question "who is the better golfer". Well it's always close!

To see all of the leaderboards and scores please click on the links below.

Sussex PGA Championships at Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club

Golf College Challenge Lindfield Golf Club

Clandon Regis Golf Club Order of Merit 

Princes Golf Club Order of Merit

PGA Assistant's Championships Coxmoor Golf Club

PGA Fourball Championships Final

Unfortunately that is pretty much the end to the season for Sam and I but we will be sure to keep you posted with information on Jonny's Progress in the later stages of the season.

Many thanks

Tim, Sam & Jonny