Essex
Golf Cup 2008
Result and Report
Congratulations to Leigh Beck Baptist Church
The Essex Golf Cup was held on Saturday 21st June at Three Rivers Golf Club, near
Chelmsford
. The course was in pristine condition for the 12 teams who set out to add their names to the Trophy and to qualify for the National Christian Golf Cup Final in September.
The heavens dried up just before John Powell, the immediate past Captain of the host club, opened proceedings with a booming drive up the first. Using all their local knowledge Powell and Townsend, representing
Rayleigh
Baptist
Church
, were quickly into their stride and they needed to be as Howley and Edwards (
Leigh
Road
Baptist
Church
) were in fine form. Edwards took the first award of the day with the longest drive on the 8th. Everyone who played commented on the quality of The Three Rivers greens which provided a firm, fast, demanding but fair test of putting ability and neither of the opening pairs truly mastered them often enough to win. Oasis Christian Fellowship and Sevenoaks Vineyard also produced some fine golf, but to no avail. Back-to-back birdies by Frank Buckley at the 16th and 17th, playing alongside his wife, Noreen, ultimately weren’t enough to push them to the top. Frank also missed out by the narrowest of margins for the second award of the day (nearest the pin) finishing just three inches short of Andy Banks’ early effort.
The Christian Golf Society, who organise the competition, were represented by Salter and Penman. Their challenge faltered at the last, when neither player registered any points which saw them pushed into third place. The best individual round of the day came from Andy Warner (Leigh Road Baptist Church 2) who shot 6 under his handicap. Playing partner, Angelo Lamas, found the opening 9 holes very tough and although he returned a much better score after the turn, they fell tantalisingly short, finishing in second place.
A very steady performance by Steve Blackwell and Sid Sutton (
Leigh
Beck
Baptist
Church
) saw them crowned champions with 67 points. The day finished with an after dinner talk from former top European golfer Dr Kitrina Douglas. Martin Eady, Event Organiser, said afterwards “I’m delighted, everyone has had a fantastic day, there’s been some really good golf played and it’s great to see friendships grow as people walk together”. The
Leigh
Beck
Baptist
Church
team will now go on to represent the region at the National Final, which is sponsored by Spring Harvest Holidays who are providing a first prize of two holidays at Le Pas Opton, their 4 Star holiday park on the
French
Vendee
Coast
.