RICHARD Mansell claimed a share of the first-round lead at the Challenge Tour Grand Final after posting a five-under par round of 66 – despite having not played a practice round at T-Golf & Country Club.

The Staffordshire golfer only arrived in Mallorca on the eve of the tournament, having been in isolation following a positive Covid-19 test.

But the EuroPro Tour graduate showed no signs of rust as he joined Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren and Spain’s Santiago Tarrio at the top of the leaderboard.

Mansell, who is currently third on the Road to Mallorca rankings, admitted he could not have expected a better outcome after playing the course for the first time.

“I just really tried to control my golf ball,” Richard said. “I just tried to keep it below the hole all day.

“I had an awful warm-up. I was saying to a couple of guys, I have never been so nervous on the first tee.

“I didn’t think I was going to keep it on the golf course. But I hit a great drive – birdied the first, birdied the second and thought ‘oh, hang on’.

“I’ve still got three rounds to go,” said Mansell, who graduated from Nova Southeastern Florida University, where he played on the same national championship winning team as Surrey’s Ben Taylor, who is now playing on the PGA Tour in America.

The Sharks graduate, who is a member at Cannock’s Beau Desert GC, added: “I came into this week and I haven’t been able to do anything.

“But what I have done is tried to learn the course as much as I can in my hotel room, and just tried to do what I could, and trust that was enough.

“I’ve played enough rounds of golf to let me golfing ability take over instead of just trying to force it,” said Mansell.

“I really enjoyed it out there and it was good to have my caddie back and be out of the hotel room,” said 25-year-old Mansell, who won the Cobra Puma Championship last summer.

The course at T-Golf & Country Club is firm after a sustained period of warm weather.

And with high temperatures expected for the rest of the week, Mansell expects the greens to become harder and faster as the week goes on.

“The greens are firm and I think they’re just going to get firmer as the week goes on,” he said.

“I was in the last group out. I had a couple of putts towards the end that definitely ran out a little bit more.

“I was up by the green when Marcel Schneider hit a shot in and I heard it land and it was like it landed on concrete.

He added: “I think they’re just going to get more baked out as the week goes on, which emphasises having good ball control which tends to be my game.”

Mansell, Hellgren, who carded two eagles on his way to his five-under par 66, and Tarrio lead by one stroke.

The Englishman was runner-up on the 2019 EuroPro Order of Merit, after the Race to Desert Springs Tour Championship a year ago, earning one of five cards on the Challenge Tour.

Lancashire’s former European Boys champion Matthew Baldwin, Italian Enrico Di Nitto, American Tyler Koivisto and Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard MøllerEnrico Di Nitto, American Tyler Koivisto and Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard Møller are tied in fourth place on four-under.

Kent’s Road to Mallorca No. 4 Matt Ford, Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand and Germany’s Alexander Knappe are a shot further back in a tie for eighth place on three-under.

The second round of the Challenge Tour Grand Final will begin at 8.30am Spanish on Friday, with the leading trio playing in the final group at 11.05am.

•Click here for second round scoring.

The post Mansell roars into lead at Challenge Tour Grand Final despite the lack of practice appeared first on Golf North.

Frenchman Joël Stalter claimed his maiden European Tour victory in the Euram Bank Open in the Austrian Alps with fiancé Flora on the bag as he survived teeming rain to win. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JOËL Stalter overturned a four-stroke deficit to win his first European Tour title at the Euram Bank Open in the Austrian Alps.

The Frenchman finished two strokes ahead of Staffordshire’s Richard Mansell in the dual-ranked European Tour and Challenge Tour event.

Victory was even sweeter for Stalter, as he shared his success with his fiancée Flora, his caddie for the week.

Stalter, whose only other win came at the Swedish Challenge, in 2016, said: “Winning here… I can’t really put it into words.

“I have been in this situation a few times and was never able to really push through.

“My girlfriend was on the bag this week. She has done an incredible job. She kept me going. She’s definitely part of my success today.

“It was a horrible day in terms of the conditions. It was tough for everyone,” said the 28-year-old, who beat Wiltshire’s Ben Stow and Wales Oliver Farr in a play-off in Sweden, four years ago.

“The course played probably 1000 yards longer,” said Joel. “But my girlfriend had her smile on and just kept me going. We just had fun

“I was playing really well and I just really enjoyed it, even though it was a tough day.

“I didn’t know I was leading until the 13th hole. Then I took my chance and really pushed through.

“I feel like today is a tribute to the last two years of getting slapped in the face a lot. I just kept pushing and believing.”

Leader’s nerves over closing holes

STALTER admitted he “felt nervous” over the last two holes of the final round, as he and Flora were soaked by the rain falling against the spectacular backdrop of the Austrian Alps.

“I just tried to enjoy it as much as I could. It’s what we train for,” said Stalter, who lost his European Tour card in 2017 after graduating from the Challenge Tour following his maiden win.

“All the tough days… this is what makes up for it. I just tried to stay in my game and do my best. Obviously it worked out well.”

Stalter started the day chasing 54-hole leader and fellow Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist.

But he moved ahead after a birdie on the 10th – his second of the day – after his compatriot played the front nine at Golf Club Adamstal in four-over par.

A bogey on the 14^th hole brought him level with Mansell, who was playing in the final group.

But Stalter responded immediately with a birdie on the 15th. And a nervous wait followed as he parred his final three holes, setting the clubhouse target at 14-under.

Mansell, making just his second European Tour start after debuting at last week’s Austrian Open, made a costly bogey on the 16th.

And that gave Stalter his first European Tour victory after battling the teeming rain. The win earned him a cheque for €76,823.

Luiten left to rue costly 10 on par five

SCIOT-SIEGRIST finished in third place alongside Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand and Germany’s Alexander Knappe.

Another Frenchman – Julien Brun – shared sixth place with South Africa’s Garrick Higgo, and pre-tournament favourite Joost Luiten.

The Dutchman, with six European Tour wins to his name, was left to rue the five dropped shots when he took 10 on the par five seventh in Friday’s third round.

Last year Mansell was winning regularly on the PGA EuroPro Tour, earning him seven starts on the Challenge Tour, earning his card for 2020 by finishing 64th on the Race to Mallorca.

The former Novo Southeastern University NCAA champion said: “If you had asked me at the start of the week – would you take a second place finish on your own? Yes.

“But with four holes to play when you’ve got a one-footer to tie the lead, or if you could just birdie the last, it’s difficult to swallow.

“But I’ll be back again. I know I’ll have more chances, said the 25-year-old from Beau Desert Golf Club.

“This week has given me a lot of confidence going forward. I’m happy with where my game’s at so we’ll see what happens next.

“I am good enough. I think I’ve always known that. I’ve just been waiting for a result.

“Now I’ve got that I just have that confidence, so I can go ahead and play freely now. I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”

It was a good weekend for Hampshire’s Scott Gregory, despite finishing with a one-over par 71.

An opening round of 66, backed up by a pair of 68s, left. him in a share of 13th place and earned him €6,661.

•After the Austrian Alps, the European Tour moves to Close House, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the North East of England, next week for the Betfred British Masters.

It is the first tournament of the new six-event UK Swing which forms a substantial part of the reshaped 2020 Race to Dubai.

The post Why Stalter loves the Flora and fauna of Austrian Alps… in fact Euram can Bank on it appeared first on Golf North.

The Shire London is the only Seve Ballesteros designed golf course in the UK and will welcome the Roes Ladies Series to North London on July 30

THE Rose Ladies Series will arrive at The Shire London for its penultimate event later this month with places in the three-day Grand Final up for grabs.

Created by Olympic Champion Justin Rose and his wife Kate, the Series has caught the mood of the golf game post-lockdown.

It has given Ladies European Tour members – and a handful of the best up-and-coming English talent in the amtaeur ranks – a chance to play competitive golf, while both the LET and LPGA have remained in hibernation and the amateur calendar has been paused because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Reigning Olympic champion Rose, who came up through the Hampshire junior ranks, was keen to add another event to the original six on the list after the series was created in a matters of days in June.

And the 2013 US Open champion chose the one and only Seve Ballesteros-designed course in the UK – The Shire London – as its venue for the Rose Ladies Series’ penultimate event on July 30.

The Spanish legend’s 18-hole layout will provide a perfect challenge for players battling to compete in the 54-hole Grand Final.

The latter will be played at North Hants – Justin’s home club at Fleet – The Berkshire, at Ascot, and finally Wentworth’s West Course, from August 5-7.

Rose, who has played in five Ryder Cups, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the interest the series has received.

“We were keen to add another event. The Shire London is a perfect venue in which to play it for a few reasons.

“It is the only Seve-designed course in the UK and he was one of my idols growing up. But also the location and course conditioning.

“For me, it really will be a special place to hold our penultimate event.”

Liz Young who came up with the original idea for the first event in the Rose Ladies Series at her home club Brokenhurst Manor, in the New Forest. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

New women’s programme at Shire

INSPIRED by LET player Liz Young’s efforts to put on a competition for fellow professionals, starting at her home club in the heart of the New Forest, the Rose Ladies Series was designed to help professional golfers in the UK get back playing competitively.

Featuring England’s rising amateurs also resonates with the work The Shire’s owners have done to champion junior golf in recent years.

It staged the 2018 American Golf Junior Championship. It has also hosted qualifiers for the European Junior Golf Tournament as well as the Hertfordshire Futures Tour run by the county golf union.

The Shire is also launching a new programme whereby women of all abilities will be able to learn new – or develop existing – skills and techniques with the club’s new junior coach Harry Casey.

The former England international won the Carris Trophy in 2011, before earning cards on the EuroPro and Alps Tours. He also played 30 times on the European Challenge Tour.

The programme aims to be an enjoyable and social experience to bring even more women into the game.

Shire director Ceri Menai-Davis said: “We are ecstatic to be holding the Rose Ladies Series at The Shire London.

“It will not only showcase our championship quality venue, but demonstrate the Bridgedown Group’s commitment to growing the game for everyone.

“When we heard about what Justin and Kate were proposing, we were immediately excited to be involved. To be welcoming some of the biggest and brightest stars to the club will be a real thrill.”

The Shire London bears the hallmarks of European Tour legend Seve Ballesteros

Wenworth Final will create more history

THE Rose Ladies Series has already created history by becoming the first ladies professional event to be played at Royal St George’s.

And the Grand Final will break more new ground next month when the famous Wentworth West Course – which is home to the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship – will stage a women’s professional event for the first time in August.

Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh has made all the running so far to lead the Order of Merit. She has had back-to-back wins at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club and Royal St George’s.

This week the action moves north to Uttoxeter with the JCB Golf & Country Club the next stop on the Rose tour on July 16, before Berkshire’s Bearwood Lakes welcomes the players on July 23.

After The Shire, the top 51 players on the American Golf Order of Merit will be eligible for the first two rounds at North Hants and The Berkshire.

The top 36 and ties will then play 18 holes on the famous Burma Road course.

As well as American Golf matching the £35,000 donated by the Roses for prize funds covering the first seven tournaments, Computacenter has also pledged £35,000 for the Grand Final.

Rose’s agent Paul McDonnell, of Excel Sports management, said: “We are very lucky that Computacenter and American Golf have come onboard. They have made it a much more attractive and rewarding series.

“The series has really snowballed. It is great that these talented players have the chance to play in a meaningful competition.”

Sponsor Computacenter looking to the future

COMPUTACENTER’S managing director Neil Hall has suggested the sponsorshiop will be just the start of his company’s support.

He said: “Computacenter is absolutely committed to driving diversity in the tech industry and creating an environment where women can excel.

“We are very proud to support Kate and Justin in providing a powerful platform for women’s golf, both now and in the future. We look forward to a long-standing partnership.”

Next week’s event will take place behind closed doors at The Shire, on the Hertfordshire-North London border.

Strict health and safety measures will be in place to ensure the safety of the players and all those involved.

Information about the Rose Ladies Series is available by clicking here. Sky Sports will also provide updates and reports.

Check out all the behind the scene action via The Shire’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

Dye is cast for future of The Shire and Bridgedown

THE Shire London – renowned for its immaculate year-round course condition and unique course layout – opened in 2007.

Over the past 12 months, its owner the Bridgedown Group has worked alongside the world-famous Dye golf course design group to bring about further improvements.

Tee-2-Green’s Pure Distinction bent grass, used on some of the world’s most famous golf course has been inter-seeded on The Shire’s greens.

The Shire measures 7,028 yards from the Championship tees. Uniquely, it has six par fives, six par fours, and six par threes. The Masters course combines links-like features amid a parkland layout.

Its location in Barnet, North London, close to the M25 and M1/A1, also makes it an accessible society day venue.

•For more information about The Shire London, visit www.theshirelondon.com.

The post Shire will host penultimate Rose Ladies Series event before Grand Final series appeared first on Golf North.

Gemma Dryburgh became a Rose winner for the second time when the Ladies Series became the first ever women’s pro event to be held at Royal St George’s. Picture by LET

SCOTLAND’S Gemma Dryburgh won for a second consecutive week on the Rose Ladies Series after posting a brilliant one-under par 69 at Royal St George’s in Kent.

The famous Sandwich course was due to host the Open Championship next week before the postponement because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the cancellation did allow Royal St George’s which has hosted the Open 14 times the chance to host its first professional women’s event.

Following her triumph at The Buckinghamshire last week, the 27-year-old Scot finished one stroke ahead of English Solheim Cup stars Georgia Hall and Charley Hull, who won the first event at Brokenhurst Manor.

Surrey’s 2019 Jabra Ladies Open champion Annabel Dimmock, from Wentworth, tied for fourth with reigning Women’s Amateur Champion Emily Toy, from Cornwall. Northamptonshire’s Meghan MacLaren, who won the second leg at Moor Park, tied for 22^nd.

Dryburgh, who now leads the Rose Ladies Series’ American Golf Order of Merit, said: “I’m delighted to be the first-ever female professional to win a tournament at Royal St George’s in their first-ever ladies’ professional event.

“It’s just so special to be the winner at a great and prestigious course, which was in immaculate condition.”

Dryburgh, who sits in fifth position on the LET’s 2020 Race to Costa del Sol Rankings, bogeyed the par-four first hole on the famous links and then picked up her first birdie on the par-five seventh to go out in a level-par 35.

A pair of birdies on the 10^th and 13^th followed by a bogey on the par-four 15^th saw her come home in 34 to set the target.

“Winds were blowing 20-30 miles per hour, so it was tough and I hit my woods well. I used them a lot coming in,” said Dryburgh.

“A great par putt from 18 feet on 16 helped to secure the win and then on the last two holes I hit 3-woods into the par fours and holed good putts.

“It was great playing with Georgia and Charley and we were neck and neck all day and feeding off each other, so it certainly felt like a big event and it was very special.”

•For final scores from Rose Ladies Series click here.

Sandwich the perfect preparation for Women’s British Open

DRYBURGH later received the Rose bowl from club captain Tim Dickson and posed with her mum Marjory and dad, John, who acted as her caddie.

The tournament venue was identified and organised through connections of Kate Rose, who would have been watching her husband, Justin, play in The Open, had the event not been postponed.

The Roses put £35,000 of their own money into the Series to help British female professionals gain valuable playing opportunities during the coronavirus pandemic.

For Dryburgh, who also has a card on the LPGA and is expected to return to the States in the coming week, the tournaments have provided the perfect preparation for her first AIG Women’s British Open, due to take place at Royal Troon, next month.

Gemma added: “It’s perfect because we rarely get to play links golf, let alone famous Open Championship venues like Royal Troon and Royal St. George’s.”

•The action moves north for the first time next week when the JCB Golf & Country Club, at Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire, hosts its first professional event. Then there are just two regular events left at Bearwood Lakes, in Berkshire, and The Shire London, at Barnet.

The Rose Ladies Series Computacenter Grand Final then takes place over three days from August 5-7 – at North Hants, in Fleet, Ascot’s The Berkshire and then Wentworth’ West Course, which will also host its first women’s professional event, at the regular home of the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship.

Uttoxeter’s JCB Golf and Country Club will host next week’s fifth Rose Ladies Series event

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Justin Rose and his wife Kate (left) have agreed to sponsor six UK events for women professionals, starting in June, at Brokenhurst Manor. Picture by WARREN LITTLE / IGF

JUSTIN Rose and his wife Kate are to sponsor the Rose Ladies Series of women’s golf tournaments in the UK – culminating in a two-day final.

The Roses decided to put up £35,0000 to sponsor the one-day events in June and July after reading about fellow Hampshire-based professional Liz Young’s efforts to put on a competition at her home club in the New Forest.

Young – who was English Women’s Amateur Strokeplay Champion in 2006 – came up with her idea to enable players to stay competitive, ahead of the LET’s return to golf.

She appealed for sponsors to help with her day at Brokenhurst Manor, where her amateur career blossomed.

She got to play with Nick Faldo in the USA and made her Curtis Cup debut at St Andrews Old Course.

And Rose, who came through the same junior ranks in Hampshire as Liz a decade earlier, not only backed the Brokenhurst event.

He also supported the formation of a mini-tour in England over the next two months including a visit to Royal St George’s in Kent.

Officially known as the Rose Ladies Series, the schedule includes:–
June
18 – Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club
25 – Moor Park Golf Club
July
2 – Buckinghamshire Golf Club
9 – Royal St George’s
16 – JCB Golf & Country Club
23 – Bearwood Lakes Golf Club
30/31 – Final TBC

Among the players who have commited to playing at Brokenhurst are Dorset’s Major winner Georgia Hall and LET winners Meghan MacLaren and Annabel Dimmock, from Wentworth.

“I can’t thank Justin and Kate enough for coming onboard, creating opportunities and increasing the visibility for professional women golfers.

“I would also like to thank the Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club members.

“Their encouragement and support has been amazing from the start.

“And I’m sure that with the news of Justin and Kate being involved, they will be as excited as I am.

“It makes me so proud to be a member of BMGC.”

Jason: ‘Time to give something back’

Liz, who played Stacy Lewis in the singles at the 2008 Curtis Cup against the USA, said: “This all started with an idea that myself and our head pro Jason McNiven had.

“We went to the club with it and we had great support from them.

“We had a vision from the start – get women competing again, increase the profile and visibility of women’s professional golf and inspire the next generation.

“Hopefully, the players would embrace the chance to play, see that it could be done and maybe take it to their clubs.

“Thanks to Justin, Kate and his team, our dream has come true… in a week!”

Jason added: “It was a simple idea and concept – play for your own money and you get to enjoy competing again.

“We are delighted to have help from Justin and Kate, as they can grow the series, which is what we initially wanted to do.

“We want to inspire the next generation. And hopefully if this is an annual event, then kids can walk the fairways with their heroes.

“It is my duty to help the girls, it is time for me to put back into the sport and help the women, so it’s the right thing to do.

“Liz and I flew the kite and it has officially taken off.”

Liz Young who has organised the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Club ‘delighted’ to support Rose series

Club manager Kevin Light said: “Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club is delighted to host the first event of the upcoming Rose Ladies Series.

“Knowing that Liz had spoken about the LET schedule being the strongest in a number of years – only for coronavirus to hit – we were only too happy to step in.”

Rose was inspired to help by the lack of golf facing the LET players this summer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Justin felt it was unfair that he will return to action on the PGA tour with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, in Texas, on Thursday – two months before his female counterparts are able to do so.

Rose, who won the Mike Smith Memorial Trophy in 1996 – setting the course record at Brokenhurst Manor in the process – said: “Professional sports people are not machines – we cannot just power on and go.

“We have to nurture our skills in order to rely on them when needed – usually under pressure.

“My wife and I felt it was an opportunity for us to help where we can,” said Rose, the 2013 US Open Champion – and gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“We are therefore delighted to say that we will be supporting a mini-series for ladies to take place in June and July.

“This will comprise a number of one-day events at some of the top courses in England.

Justin Rose came through the same junior ranks in Hampshire as Liz Young

Justin: ‘Sky have agreed to televise Rose Ladies Series’

“The prize money will be modest, but we hope the series will give our talented lady golfers the opportunity to showcase their skills.

“Sky TV have agreed to provide a package for viewers and the Sunday Telegraph will ensure the events are well-reported.

“Needless to say, Kate and I are immensely grateful to the host clubs for making their courses available to us, and for the enthusiastic support of all those behind the scenes who make the tournaments run smoothly.

“Golf is a sport that is able to be played while socially distancing.

“And hopefully the TV coverage of the ladies competing can inspire more women and families in England to go out and play.

“It can be so beneficial for mental health to be out in the fresh air and get some space, especially in these challenging times.

“In particular, we are also grateful for the support and encouragement of the more established lady professional golfers for supporting this event.

“Through their participation they will encourage support for their sport and show the flame for ladies’ golf will not be easily extinguished.

“Golf has given me so much. As most of my followers know, I had my struggles early in my career, but at least I did not have to face a pandemic.

“I was still able to play. To be denied the opportunity to work or to play for months on end is very challenging, both physically and mentally.

“And that is why Kate and I feel it is so important that we want to try to do something about it.”

The LET is supporting the Rose Ladies Series and thanked Justin and Kate Rose for their incredibly generous support of women’s golf.

Rose with his support team at the 2016 Olympics. Picture by WARREN LITTLE / IGF

The post Liz Young’s brainchild to be called the Rose Ladies Series with six events in the UK appeared first on Golf North.

A large number of England Golf Championships in June and July have been postponed because of the coronvirus pandemic – a total of 27 events are now off

ENGLAND Golf have postponed another 14 events – including the Carris and McGregor trophies – in the summer’s amateur calendar in June and July amid the continuing coronavirus crisis.

All major championships organised by the game’s governing body in England have now been put off up until July 27.

That includes two of the three of England’s junior championships – with July’s McGregor Trophy (U16s strokeplay) and the Carris (U18s strokeplay) – both off, at least temporarily.

Another casualty is the English Mid-Amateur Championship for the over 35s, with the Logan Trophy due to have been played at Yorkshire’s Sand Moor, from July 3-5.

England Golf had already cancelled some 14 events from April until the end of the first week in June after the championship committee took the decision on March 18 – before the Government lockdown was introduced five days later forcing some 3,000 golf clubs to close in the UK and Ireland.

Organisers based at England Golf’s headquarters at Woodhall Spa, in Lincolnshire, are still hoping that some of the events can be rescheduled although junior events like the Carris and McGregor – and the England Girls Open Championship – due to be played at Hertfordshire’s Sandy Lodge GC, from July 21-23 – can only be played during the school holidays.

The Carris was due to be played at Weybridge’s St George’s Hill, in Surrey, from July 21-24, while the McGregor was heading to the North East at Heworth GC, in Gateshead, a week earlier.

England Golf’s director of championships James Crampton said: “It is with regret that we have had to extend the list of postponed England Golf events as we all adhere to the expert advice and necessary measures now in place to combat the spread of coronavirus.

“All England Golf championships have now been postponed until week commencing July 27.

“We will continue to regularly review our championship plans beyond this date.

“If possible, we aim to re-schedule some of our postponed events and will provide information as and when it is practicable to do so.

“There are a number of intricacies associated with championship golf which need to be considered well in advance of any event taking place.

“And these, as much as golf courses being open for play, are key factors in our decision-making.”

An England Golf spokesman said: “As always, England Golf’s priority when taking decisions at this time is to assist the national effort to combat the threat of the COVID-19 outbreak and ensure we protect our NHS and save lives.

“With golf courses now closed until further notice and restrictions for travel and public life in place for an indefinite period, England Golf have taken the pragmatic decision on the postponement of events beyond our original date of June 7.

The 14 events in April, May and early June which were postponed included the Brabazon Trophy at Sherwood Forest GC (May 21-24) and the two qualifiers for the English Amateur Strokeplay Championship at Hessle and East Sussex on May 12.

The English Women’s Amateur at Sheringham GC, in Norfolk (May 27-31) and the Senior Women’s Amateur at  Peterborough Milton GC (May 11-15) were among the earlier events called off.

The English Seniors Championship at Lincolnshire’s Burghley Park and Luffenham Heath, in Rutland (June 3-5) is also off along with the English Open Amateur for golfers with a disability at Whittlebury Park, in Northamptonshire, from June 27-28.

The English Schools’ Team Championship – which was to be held again at Woodhall Spa – is another event that will require a new slot, but could be played later in the season.

The latest England Golf championships to be postponed are:–

• English Senior Women’s Strokeplay – Abbeydale, June 16-18
• England Golf Medal – The Kendleshire – June 17
• Golf Captains – Broadway, June 17
• England Golf Medal – Drayton Park, June 21
• England Golf Medal – Brancepeth Castle, June 25
• English Open Disabled Amateur – Whittlebury Park, June 27-28
• Golf Captains – Moortown, June 30
• Logan Trophy – Sand Moor, July 3-5
• Senior Series and Golf Captains – South Staffs, July 7-8
• English Schools’ Team Championship – Woodhall Spa, July 8
• McGregor Trophy – Heworth, July 14-16
• English Girls’ Open Championship – Sandy Lodge, July 21-23
• Carris Trophy – St George’s Hill, July 21-24
• Golf Captains – Piltdown, July 22

Any player already registered for a postponed England Golf event will be contacted directly by the championship department.

In addition to championships, all England Golf regional and national squad coaching sessions for men, women, boys and girls remain cancelled until further notice.

Individual coaching sessions – apart from those done remotely by video call – have also been cancelled.

The England Golf spokesman added: “Events relating to championships and performance squads remain under constant review and timely updates will be issued via our website and social media platforms.”

•You can follow England Golf on Twitter and Instagram

The stunninge St George’s Hill at Weybridge is due to host the Carris Trophy in 2020 but the July date has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic

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In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, England Golf has today announced a number of key decisions relating to all of our championships and wider golfing activities.

• All championship and performance events have been postponed until 7 June.
• With the health and wellbeing of all golfers, staff and volunteers paramount in our thinking, we have issued a comprehensive guidance document to clubs and golfers on how best to proceed in these unprecedented times
• England Golf’s AGM and national participation events scheduled for the spring have been postponed
• New working practices for staff have been adopted to ensure we remain fully operational and available to assist counties, clubs and golfers in the weeks and months ahead

For full details on all these important announcements please click below:

Championships and Performance

Guidance for Golf Clubs and Golfers

Event Postponements and How to contact England Golf

These remain extremely difficult and unprecedented times for the game of golf as well as the country in general.

England Golf remains committed to helping our golfing community adapt to the necessary changes and for golfers to continue to play the game in a safe environment and according to government and public health guidelines.

The pace of change and the constant updating of government and medical advice means that a continual process of re-assessment of decisions and guidelines must be undertaken.

England Golf will continue to communicate any changes through our website, social platforms and via direct correspondence to our affiliated counties, clubs and golfers.

It is vital that everyone continues to follow best practice when it comes to dealing with the current outbreak of coronavirus.

For expert medical advice please refer to the following websites:

World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Public Health England: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

The post England Golf update: COVID-19 appeared first on Golf North.

England Golf Statement Regarding Coronavirus

England Golf  – in light of the developing situation with the COVID-19 outbreak – has today issued the following guidance to all our affiliated golf clubs and golfers.

We fully recognise the need to adhere to the expert advice available and as such we would point all our clubs in the direction of the guidelines set out in detail by Public Health England via their website.

Details on how best to cope with the virus can also be found via the World Health Organisation website which will provide rolling updates and the best ways to mitigate against the spread of the infection.

NHS England also provide updated and expert advice via their website.

All golf clubs should note, act upon and continually monitor the advice and guidance issued by these expert authorities in relation to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

It is important that we all work together, following the advice of qualified professionals, in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

This remains a very fluid situation and England Golf will continue to take their lead from the government and public health authorities when it comes to safeguarding our clubs and members and offering practical and necessary steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of golfers and golf club staff.

England Golf chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “The expert practical advice that is available from the health authorities and national government should remain the first point of reference for all our golf clubs and golfers.

“This is clearly a fluid and developing situation and we will continue to monitor events as they progress and pass on the relevant information to our stakeholders.

“By working in alignment with those who are specialists in this field, we will be able to take the necessary precautions and provide the correct measures to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Where do you want to go next?

• Scottish Golf statement
• Wales Golf statement
• Golfing Union of Ireland statement

More information

• NHS website
• Public Health Service

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Essex Ladies’ County Association

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Charlotte Heath is the first English golfer to win the Australian Women’s Amateur Championship since Julie Wade back in 1995. Picture by GOLF AUSTRALIA

CHARLOTTE Heath became just the fifth British player to ever win the third oldest women’s amateur championship in the world at the weekend.

The 18-year-old England international swept away the challenge of Indonesia’s Mela Putri to claim a stunning victory in the Australian Women’s Amateur Championship.

The Yorkshire schoolgirl was too strong for her 22-year-old rival and claimed a majestic 7&6 victory in the 36-hole final at the Royal Queensland Golf Club.

Heath became the first winner from British shores in 24 years and just the fifth to win the Australian Women’s title in it’s 127-year history.

The last was Julie Hall from Felixstowe, who won in Oz in 1995, having won her second Women’s Amateur Championship in the same year, after her first victory in 1990.

The Australian is actually the 10th oldest championship in the world including men’s opens at professional and amateur level.

Heath – a member at Huddersfield Golf Club – got off to a fast start and was three-up after five holes.

Heath’s lead was a commanding eight holes by the completion of the first 18 holes.

The 18-year-old then tightened her grip in the afternoon by holing her approach to the third hole from 180 yards for an eagle – taking her lead to 10 holes.

Putri fought back to win four of the next five and threaten a comeback. But Heath held her nerve to hole a par putt on the 12^th and claim the title with six holes to spare.

After the win, Charlotte Heath told Golf Australia: “It was a bit stressful and I was super nervous to start.

“I got off to a quick start and then in the second 18 she started playing really good and it was tense.

“I made two bogeys and she made two birdies and I dropped a few. But I kept my head and kept going.”

The Yorkshire county player has been a frequent visitor to the winners’ circle over the past 12 months, winning the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters at Nizels GC, in June, and the Pleasington Putter.

But the win Down Under is by far the most significant of the former England junior international’s young career.

Victory will catapult her up the world rankings from her current position of 226nd.

Heath said describing the moment she hovered over the matchwinning putt: “I was just like ‘hole it’ – it was for a half anyway so if I missed it – and it went six feet past. It didn’t really matter.”

Heath will now be invited to two LPGA events – the Victoria Open and Women’s Australian Open.

But before that Charlotte has some pleading to do with her teachers back at home.

“I’ve never played in LPGA event – hopefully I can get time off school,” said a smiling Heath.

The English star qualified for the matchplay event by finishing in a tie for 17^th in the strokeplay.

Rounds of 71 and 74 left Charlotte Heath somewhat under the radar going into the knockout stages.

But while Cornwall’s Women’s Amateur Champion Emily Toy – the top seed after winning the strokeplay – unfortunately fell at the first hurdle to eventual finalist Putri, Heath got up a head of steam as the week wore on.

A 4&2 win over Australia’s Fiona Xu earned Heath a place in the last 16 where another local hero – Charley Jacobs – was brushed aside by the same score.

On Saturday, a third Aussie was put to the sword in the quarter-finals when Heath triumphed over the much-fancied Lian Higo booking her place in the last four with a 3&2 winning margin.

South Korea’s Minju Kim was next up, but with Heath’s confidence rapidly rising the English women’s international notched another impressive 3&2 win to reach the final.

Then came the crowning glory with Heath thoroughly deserving of her plaudits.

Heath’s name joins the following Brits on the trophy:
•1995 Julie Hall (Felixstowe Ferry) – played in five Curtis Cups
•1955 Miss Veronica Anstey (later Beharrell) Edgbaston GC
•1935 Miss J B Walker (The Berkshire) Won the Irish Ladies Amateur in 1930
•1905 Miss M Backhouse

•To see how Charlotte Heath got to the final click here for the full matchplay results and for the strokeplay qualifying scores click here.

Jones and Strickland knocked out in semi-finals of Australian Amateur

Northamptonshire County’s Ben Jones was knocked out in the semi-finals of the Australian Amateur Championship, losing to Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, who lost in the final.
Picture LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE County’s Ben Jones joined Sussex’s Charlie Strickland and Northumberland’s Matty Lamb in the matchplay stages of the Australian Amateur Championship.

Lamb, from Hexham, a member of the victorious Home Internatinals team in September, had his run halted to the last eight by Australia’s Louis Dobbelaar, in the third round.

However, Jones, the losing finalist in last summer’s Amateur Championship and Ham Manor’s Strickland battled through to the semi-finals.

But with an all-English final beckoning – which would have created some unparalled history at an overseas championship – they were both knocked out.

Jones’ match with Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin was nip and tuck all the way with the man from Holywood edging it by a single hole.

Australia’s Jediah Morgan – who went on to win the event – had too much in the tank for Strickland, who lost 5&3.

Strickland is one of nine players in the England Men’s squad for 2020. The former England Boys cap, who missed most of 2018 after being diagnosed with epilepsy, claimed the Selborne Salver, at Blackmoor GC, last April.

Rotherham’s Ben Schmidt – who claimed the English Men’s and Boys Amateur Strokeplay double last year – was one of eight England players in the 198-strong field that failed to make it through to the last 64.

The youngest-ever winner of the Brabazon and the youngest to win the Carris in the same season at just 16 – to break Sandy Lyle’s 42-year-old record – missed out by four shots after an opening 80 on the Brisbane Course.

The Australian Amateur is the ninth oldest golf championship in the world and has only been won by two Englishmen in its 127-year history – the MP Michael Scott won it three times in four years from 1905-8.

Middlesex’s Warren Bennett, from Ruislip GC, won the title in 1994, at Royal Sydney GC – the same year he claimed the Lytham Trophy and represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Eisenhower Trophy at the World Amateur Team Championship, at Versailles, in France.

•For full strokeplay scores in the Australian Amateur click here and to see the matchplay results click here.

Corhampton’s Scott Gregory – winner of the 2017 New South Wales Amateur. Picture by ANTHONY POWTER

Can England match Gregory and Petrozzi’s success in New South Wales Amateur?

THE seven-strong England squad (five men and two women) move on from Royal Queensland to play in the New South Wales’ Amateur being held jointly at St Michael’s Golf Club and the Coast Golf Club in Little Bay.

England have a great record in the NSW Amateur, with Hampshire’s Scott Gregory winning in 2017, beating Sussex’s Marco Penge in an all-English 36-hole final.

Staffordshire’s Gian-Marco Petrozzi kept the trophy in English hands a year later while Formby’s Paul Howard (2015), Jack Senior (2011) and Gary Wolstenholme (2007) have all taken the title in the 21st Century.

Michael Scott MP was England’s first – and only – back-to-back winner in 1909 and 1910.

Their Australian adventure ends with the Avondale Amateur at Avondale Golf Club from January 28-31.

•Follow live scores in the New South Wales Open by clicking here.

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Denmark’s Benjamin Poke has been watching snooker on telly to take his mind off the pressure of trying to earn a card at the European Tour Qualifying School, at Lumine, in Spain. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

DENMARK’S Benjamin Poke extended his lead to two shots on day three of European Tour Qualifying School as the six-round marathon tournament reached the halfway stage.

The Dane, who completed a strong rookie season on the European Challenge Tour, carded four birdies and only one bogey to sign for a three-under par 69 on Lumine Golf Club’s Hills Course.

Poke said: “It was nice to finish with a flurry of birdies at the end. I was hitting greens from the start but leaving myself some long putts.

“By the time I got to the back nine I was striking them better and hitting my approach shots a bit closer – and I managed to take advantage of that over the closing holes.

“I haven’t really looked at the scoreboards this week or checked online after the round to see how I’m doing and I’ve been watching snooker over the last few days in the evening to take my mind off things.

“It’s a new day tomorrow so I’m just going to try and approach things the same way – enjoy being out here playing,” said Poke, who finished 29th on the Road to Mallorca.

“I’m looking forward to going out there and playing the next few days. I’m trying not to think about the top 25 at the moment as I can’t control what other players are doing.

“I can only try and control how I play and we’ll see where it all ends up at the end of the week,” Poke added.

The 27-year-old began the day sharing the lead, but finished with two late birdies to reach a three-round total of 12-under – two shots clear of his nearest competitor Lars van Meijel.

The Dutchman, who also narrowly missed out on graduating to the European Tour after finishing 19th on the Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca, converted six birdies and made an eagle-two on the Hills Course’s par four 12^th hole.

Van Meijel signed for a seven-under 65 to move 39 places up the leaderboard in the race to catch Poke.

“I had a really bad start yesterday and then played pretty decent,” said Lars van Meijel.

“Today, I played alright. My wedges were really good and I putted pretty well, but from the tee I was a bit shaky.

“I had a couple of good bounces as well. Overall my irons were pretty decent, especially my wedges and my putting was also really good.

“It’s the first time I’ve played in Final Stage and it’s absurd to think there are still three rounds to go. I’ll just keep playing one shot at a time – keep it relaxed and chilled, and then we’ll see.

“I feel confident. I’m just focussing on myself and trying to play the best golf I can. Then we’ll see where I end up.

“I made some small changes in the way I practice with a new coach and also, my childhood technical coach has made some small changes which have also clicked. I’m just trying to get better every day.”

Sharing third place on nine-under are India’s SSP Chawrasia and overnight joint-leader Toby Tree, from Sussex.

The field at the Final Stage of Qualifying School competes on both the Hills and Lakes courses.

With the leading half all playing the Hills Course on day three, they will now take to the Lakes Course for the all-important fourth round, where the field is reduced to the top 70 and ties.

The low round of the tournament was carded by two players on day three,

Staffordshire’s Will Enefer and Australian David Micheluzzi, who were paired together on the Lakes Course, both fired eight under 63s – and they both moved into a share of 62^nd place on two-under.

Enefer, who has had a consistent season on the EuroPro Tour withouth converting some good displays with a victory, said: “The first two days I wasn’t looking at the leaderboard.

“I was just looking at the playing zone. But after today it has completely changed everything, so I am really pleased.

“My playing partner David was also eight-under which helped as well,” added Enefer, who plays out of Enville GC.

“I was hitting quite a few inside his and he was holing in first so I was like: ‘I can’t let him keep going lower and I’m not.’

“So I followed him in and we kept bouncing off of each other.”

Micheluzzi was equally pleased with the outcome, saying: “I was really happy with today’s round.

“I holed zero putts the first few days but felt like they all dropped today to bring myself back within the cut line, and I’m just happy to be back in the mix after a disappointing first few days.

“I had nothing to lose after a disappointing first couple of rounds and so I just went out there and started firing at some pins and managed to hole some putts as well.”

That two-under total also stands as the current projected cut line.

Any player surviving the 72-hole cut will be guaranteed a European Challenge Tour card as they battle it out on the Lakes Course over the final two days.

A spot in the top 25 including ties will secure a potentially life-changing European Tour card.

•For live scoring in the fourth round at Lumine GC, click here.

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