BEST WISHES TO ALL AND
GOLFING ENJOYMENT IN 2020
What a fabulous and extremely busy golfing year we have all enjoyed in 2019, experiencing
both significant team and individual success.
The U14 RookieTour is both unique and wonderful, we put on 17 events throughout the
County and had more than 200 young people competing, some as young as 7, both boys
and girls. The annual prize presentation event at Pine Ridge was inspirational, presenting 252
awards won at the various events throughout the year. The RookieTour is proving to be a vital
nursery for the golfers of the future and we are already seeing some of its former participants
reaching national and international success, with several now representing the County 1st team.
Our various junior sections enjoyed an extremely a successful year culminating in our under
18 team winning the inter counties league, whilst the U14 team were runners up in their age
group, but retained the Sussex Salver once more, while our under 13 team again won the
Friendship Trophy and the Triple Shield. We now have, in the order of 165 juniors in coaching
so the future looks very exciting. Ben Partridge won the County U18 Championship, qualifying
for the England Golf Champions of Champions event, which he duly won and on his 18th
birthday! Our first team also won the Inter County league and just missed out on winning the
South East Counties Championship being narrowly beaten by BB&O in the League Final. The
County Championship was won by David Corben, his third success in the event. He triumphed
magnificently beating Angus Flannigan, both + 4 handicappers in a thrilling Final at Purley Downs,
David gets better and better as he gets older. Angus had set a course record 62 during Friday
qualifying, beating both the amateur and professional records, a fantastic achievement.
Many of our first team have done brilliantly as individuals in many events and have really raised
their game seriously among them Harvey Byres, Angus Flannigan, Ben Partridge, Ben Palmer,
David Corben, Shergo Kurdi and Charlie Crockett.
Out Senior squad performed well through the year narrowly missing out on major honours but
the squad performed brilliantly as individuals in various events throughout the year with Ian
Attoe setting an amazing standard by winning the English Seniors for the third time, topping
the Seniors England Order of Merit and 2nd (Silver Medal) in the Scottish Seniors.
This squad will undoubtedly continue progressing and should take major honours in 2020.
Currently we have 6 juniors in England squads, several men in both England and Scotland
Squads and some seniors with England
We now have a most comprehensive team of coaches, more than 20, coaching across the
spectrum, under our Head Coach John Noble and they should be complimented in doing a
splendid job in 2019.
Most of our Clubs are, once again, enjoying better times with membership on the increase, and
we are indebted to them for their massive contribution in providing venues and volunteers for
the many championships and matches that are organized through the year.
A huge vote of thanks must also go to our many volunteers, starters, referees, marshals and
chaperones, who look after the youngsters on the course during our events. Plus, our new
County Secretary Steve McNeill and his hard-working team at Sutton Green.
Let’s look forward to a fantastic golfing year in 2020.
Jack Buchanan
County President
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