Warwickshire Golf
Warwickshire Men's Amateur Championship - Tournament Report
Stratford-on-Avon golf club was the host venue for this year's Men's Amateur Championships. With a record number of entries for this event since well before COVID, a ballot was required to reduce the field to the maximum number of 72.
On the morning of the competition the weather was good, dry with just a light breeze. The course was in immaculate condition with the greens running at just over 12 on the meter. Everything was in place for a memorable championship.
In the morning, scoring level par was good enough to be tied 7th at lunch. Shaun Young, Richard Humphries and Richard Bush all returning 72 for the morning. Our 2023 Champion Rhys Lawrence was putting together a healthy defense with an opening 1 under par score. Home club member Joel Smith carded a two under 70 whilst at 3 under par were Chris Laird and Darryl Gwilliam. Nick Brooker, back to golf after his London Marathon training, was showing no signs of fatigue with 4 under 68 with 3 bogeys. Leading the way at lunch was home club favourite Jack Drury, a fantastic 7 under 65.
In the team trophy, it was very much all to play for. This is where the gross scores of 3 selected players from each club are combined. Only 5 shots separated the first 6 teams.
The wind seemed to pick up a little in the afternoon as the players headed out for their 2nd rounds and this made scoring more difficult in the afternoon.
In 6th place overall was Richard Bush (Coventry) with a 1 over par total of 145. Rhys Lawrence (Coventry Hearsall) finished his day on 1 under par in a fine defence of his title with sole 5th place. Joel Smith was right in the mix after 9 holes in the afternoon, but a few missed opportunities on the final 9 saw him finish in 4th place with 2 under. Chris Laird (The Warwickshire) secured 3rd place with a 4 under par total, a great performance on a course Chris has previous form (with his 64 in their AM AM not too many years ago). This year's runner up with a 7 under par total was Nick Brooker (Olton). A score that would likely have won in most years and even more remarkable given Nick had never played the course before.
Our champion for 2024 was Jack Drury, a solid final round of 71 giving him an 8 under par total, carrying the burden of being the home club favourite with apparent ease throughout the day. Jack will now be able to represent Warwickshire in the English Champion of Champions at Woodhall Spa later in the year.
In the Robert Harrison Trophy (Mid-Amateur - Over 35s), 30 players would qualify for this trophy in the field. Nick Brooker would be this year's champion, fully deserved with his fantastic golf on the day. Chris Laird would take the runners up prize.
In the team trophy, Stratford-on-Avon were victorious with Jack Drury, Joel Smith and Ian Wilton leading the team to a 5 shot lead over the team from The Warwickshire who were runners up.
Stratford-on-Avon will go on to represent Warwickshire in the English Champion Club event later this year at Stanton-on-the-Wolds golf club.
We wish Jack and the Stratford-on-Avon team every success in these events.
I have many people to thank in helping to make this year's championship a success. Firstly, to Stratford-on-Avon Golf Club for allowing us to use the course and facilities to host this event. The course was in fantastic condition in every possible aspect and so I'm sure I speak on behalf of all the competitors in thanking Chris Bromley and his team for all their efforts and hard work on the morning of the event and in the lead up.
Thank you to Simon Dennis (Club Manager) for all the help behind the scenes in the planning and preparation for this championship and to everyone in the catering team who helped keep the players fed and watered throughout the day.
Thank you to the County championship team of referees who volunteered for the day - Claire Barker, Alastair Scott, Nick Coleman, Daniel Hunter, Giles Fellingham and Mark Reynolds.
Finally, a thank you to Club Captain Simon Meade and Club President Vis Viswan for their support throughout the day. Very much appreciated.
Results for the Men's Amateur Championship can be found here: Championship Results
Results for the Robert Harrison Trophy can be found here: Robert Harrison Trophy Results
Results for the Team Shield can be found here: Team Shield Results
Some photos from the day are below:
(L-R) Simon Meade - Stratford-on-Avon Captain, Jack Drury - Men's Amateur Champion 2024, Nick Brooker - Robert Harrison Trophy Winner 2024, Stuart Bloxham - Warwickshire Golf Union President
(L-R) Team Championship Winners: Joel Smith, Simon Meade - Club Captain, Jack Drury, Vis Viswan - Club President.
Chris Brown
Warwickshire Golf Union County Secretary
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