The 2023 Cambridgeshire Seniors Championship

It was a sunny, gusty day as the competitors arrived at the Gog Magog Golf Club for the running of the Seniors Championship.

It was pleasing to once again have a full field of 60 seniors competing for this much sought after title, the winner going forward to represent the County at the Champion of Champions event at Woodhall Spa in September.

The wind got progressively stronger as the afternoon went on and this was reflected in the scoring as the early starters completed their rounds.

_DSC0549
_DSC0552
_DSC0536
IMG_5424
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
_DSC0549
_DSC0552
_DSC0536
IMG_5424
previous arrow
next arrow

Mark Lydon, who recently joined the Gog Magog Golf Club from the Cambridge Country Club, set the early pace with a fine score of 75. Mark came home against the wind in a creditable 38 strokes, which included a birdie 2 at the 17th hole.

His lead however was short lived as Neil Hughes of the home club beat his age by 2 strokes to record a 74 which included a run of 10 holes from the 1st tee of 3’s and 4’s. A double bogey at the 16th hole was a set back but two good pars to finish with against the wind, gave him a realistic chance to chalk up his 3rd seniors title.

As the main contenders came in it looked like 74 was going to be a winning score as Kevin Diss 75, holder Ken Parsons 77, Billy McQueeney 77, Doug Bottomley 77, all came up short.

It was left to Terry Ryan of Ely City to make the final challenge as stood on the 17th tee needing two pars for what would be a super round of 71 gross. Unfortunately a double bogey 5 at the 17th hole left him needing a par at the last to win the title.

A poor drive down the last left him with a difficult 2nd shot out of the heavy rough. He decided to take a chance and try to carry the cross bunkers which were 97 yards ahead with a pitching wedge out of a horrendous lie. With all his might he managed to clear the cross bunkers and his ball rocketed just short of the front edge of the green. From there he 2 putted to win his very first Seniors Championship with a 73.

An excellent 76-8=68 by Andrew Durman of the Links GC won him the best net prize on the day.

The Super Seniors Rose Bowl for the 65-69 age group was won for the first time by Steve Searle of the St Neots Golf Club with a 79 gross which included a birdie 3 at the final hole.

The Masters trophy for the 70 plus age group was won by Neil Hughes for the fourth year in succession.

The Old Course was in awesome shape, with the high fescue rough waving in the wind, it was a real test for the old boys of the County.

Many thanks to Andrew Howarth and his team for producing a course in really fine tournament condition.

To Club Manager Brad McLean and all the staff at the club, many thanks from CAGU for the wonderful service and warm hospitality shown to us all.