Day 1
It was a breezy dull day as the 55 competitors arrived at the Links, Newmarket Golf Club for the 75th County Championship, first held in 1950 and played for every year since. The course looked in good condition after a difficult Spring for the courses in Cambridgeshire. The rough was up and to be avoided at all costs and hitting fairways was a priority with the firm greens and approaches.
The St Neots Golf Club dominated the 1st round scores with three of their team, Andrew Grimwood, Oliver Toyer and Sam Marshall, leading the field by recording level par rounds of 72, only to be joined by County stalwart Owen Davies of the Brampton Park Golf Club. Sam Marshall, fresh from his victory in the Welsh Youths, recovered well from a triple bogey on a par 3 hole, to play his final 9 holes in 3 under par. Andy Grimwood, keen to regain his place in the County A team was his usual steady self, recording 2 birdies and 14 pars.
Young Oliver Toyer was 2 under par stood on the 16th tee but unfortunately dropped shots at the 16th and 18th. Seven other players were just a further 2 strokes back on 74, including Danny Loveday, fresh from his excellent showing in the Lagonda Trophy the previous week.
The sun came out as the players embarked on their afternoon rounds, although it was still rather breezy. Off to a very fast start in his 2nd round, Loveday birdied his first 3 holes and despite a couple of bogeys, he charged into the lead with a fine 68 for a 142 total. His playing partner Owen Davies continued with his steady golf to be 2 strokes back at the end of the day on 144.
Young Theo Morris of the home club raced to 4 under par for his round and a late bogey on his 16th hole left him with a 69 and a total of 146. He was joined on this total by Olly Toyer of St Neots, Jake Plumb of Gog Magog and Richard Southall of Saffron Walden.
With 10 players within 6 strokes it promised to be an exciting final day.
The cut came on 159 which was 15 over par and after further withdrawals it was left to 25 competitors to contest the Championship. The January Cup for the best 36 holes net score was won by Andrew Durman of the home club with a score of 143. The Championship Team Shield was retained by the strong St Neots team of Danny Loveday, Sam Marshall and Olly Toyer, winning by 14 strokes from the Links with a team score of 435.
Day 2
The early 3rd round scores indicated that scoring was not that easy in the cold conditions. The stand out early score came from Jake Plumb who was 4 under through just 5 holes but he couldn’t keep the run going and eventually finished on 73. Sam Marshall, who lost after a play off last year, fought hard and with five 3’s on his back nine holes managed a 1 under par round of 71.
It was once again the experienced Loveday who played the steady golf for a 71 and a 5 strokes lead going into the last round. With Danny on 213, Sam 218, Jake, Olly and Owen on 219 it looked like only a disaster could prevent Danny winning his first County Championship title. Jake Plumb, recently home from his golf scholarship in the USA, once again got off to a fast start and after birdies at the 1st and 4th holes, eagled the par 5 fifth hole to mount his challenge to Danny. In the meantime, playing behind Jake, our leader birdies the 1st and 4th holes to keep a respectable distance between him and his nearest rivals.
It became a two horse race on the back nine holes as others fell away and Jake, with birdies at 11, 13 and 14, closed to within 2 strokes of Danny. Sadly for him though, bogeys at 16 and 17 ended his challenge and Danny, who played steady golf, finished the round on 72 and a final total of 285, giving him victory by 3 strokes.
The under 21 prize was won by Joe Austin of the Links Golf Club with a total score of 298.
Our thanks must go to the Links Golf Club Golf Club for their tremendous support during this championship, especially Men’s Captain Barry Peak who helped out on the course with the live scoring on day 2.
A special mention for the clubhouse staff for their friendly helpful service at the bar and the lovely food over the two days.
Also, a special mention for Titleist and FootJoy for their much valued support of this Championship.
A comprehensive gallery of photographs of the Championship can be found at the website Kevin Diss Photography.
Next year’s Championship will take place at the Gog Magog Golf Club on 7/8 June.