Stanton on the Wolds members pick up their Championship Venue of the Year Award from England Golf performance director Nigel Edwards (right) at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE’S Stanton-on-the-Wolds Golf Club has won England Golf’s Championship Venue of the Year Award – and the congratulations of European Tour star Tyrrell Hatton.
He sent a special message to the club as their achievement was applauded at the England Golf Awards 2019, sponsored by adidas Golf – after they beat off strong competition from Frilford Heath, in Oxfordshire, which drew high praise for its staging of the 2018 Brabazon Trophy, having to overcome a huge thunderstorm which disrupted play and forced a massive clear-up.
Hatton said: “I’ve got great memories of playing in England Golf championships in the past and I know the golf clubs all go above and beyond to make it a fantastic experience for the players.
“So massive congratulations to Stanton for winning this award, you guys must have been fantastic.”
More than 400 guests heard how the judges were bowled over by the approach of dozens of volunteers and the staff team, who totally bought into staging the English Senior Men’s County Championship.
What’s more, the greens were judged to be probably the finest at a championship event all year.
It was a fine reward for the club, which even moved its AGM so officials, members and volunteers could attend the awards at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.
Paul Keeling, the Stanton-on-the-Wolds manager, said: “This is fantastic recognition for the club and for all the people who put so much hard work into the event.”
When the club agreed to host the event it was the first time they’d staged a national championship and, said Keeling, it was a step into the unknown.
But everyone was determined to make it a success. More than 50 volunteers signed up to help and the staff cheerfully worked from silly o’clock to silly o’clock.
The response from the four visiting teams was exceptional, with their positive feedback filling a section on the club’s website.
What’s more the championship has raised the club’s profile, brought more visitors to play the course and experience the greens – and increased the number of regular volunteers.
“That’s a real plus,” Keeling added. “They’ve realised volunteering can be good fun and it’s not sitting in a committee room for hours and hours.”
And, with membership increasing and the England Golf Championship Venue plaque on the wall, it is, as Keeling said: “All positive at Stanton.”
The club’s representatives received its award from Nigel Edwards, England Golf performance director and the Team GB golf team leader for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The club was challenged for the award by three other clubs which were also among those which hosted England Golf’s 50-plus championship events during 2018. The other finalists apart from Frilford Heath were:–
- Kedleston Park Golf Club, Derbyshire
- Sherwood Forest Golf Club, Nottinghamshire
