Tommy Fleetwood is looking to go one better than his runner’s up finish in the Scottish Open. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

TOMMY Fleetwood is hoping to convert his strong run of form on the European Tour into a third Rolex Series title with a victory on home soil in this week’s BMW PGA Championship, at Wentworth.

The Southport golfer finished tied third in the Portugal Masters prior to last month’s US Open.

He then lost to Aaron Rai in a play-off in last week’s Rolex Series event, at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

That latter result at North Berwick’s Renaissance Club lifted him into third place in the Race to Dubai.

And the 2017 European No. 1 believes another strong performance at Surrey’s famous Burma Road course at Wentworth can bolster his chances of claiming that honour for a second time.

Tommy Fleetwood said: “My game is in good shape, I feel good, so looking forward to getting going.

“It is always lovely coming back to this one. I think normally with it comes the atmosphere of home fans and I always think it’s one of the best ones to play in front of.

“I think the first tee is always a really nice feeling when you walk to the first tee, and how much they support you.

“The 18th is always a great finish. It’s different. We have had some bad weather in the past, so not really a time of year that makes a difference.

“The course seems to be playing quite different. But it is lovely – great hotel, English, parkland course. Still lots of good with it.

Best moment? Race to Dubai win. . .

TOMMY Fleetwood said victory in the Race to Dubai three years ago was the standout achievement for the Lancastrian, who won the English Amateur Championship at Little Aston 10 years ago.

“It’s still my proudest thing in golf winning the Race to Dubai – for playing over a whole year and finishing the highest in that ranking.

“Having the Race to Dubai in the bag – knowing a good week can shoot you up there again – is always something lovely.

“I think it’s an amazing achievement. To be around and have another chance this year is great. But the focus is on this week for now.”

“I’ll be lucky, I’ve had that for the last two or three years. But it’s been nice knowing you have a good week and see yourself right up there in the Race to Dubai.

“It’s always nice to have in the background. I think a lot of times when we play a world tour, you go week-to-week and that’s the right thing to do.

“Played really well in Scotland and had things to work on which is always great.

“Keeps you hungry, and it’s just a nice two or three-week stretch again in the UK events that players love coming to.

Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed is happy to support the European Tour by playing in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Reed continues European adventure

JOINING World No. 14 Tommy Fleetwood in the field is current Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed.

The controversial American has made a special trip over from the States to strengthen his own chances of winning the season-long contest.

The World No. 9 was runner-up to Francesco Molinari in 2018. Reed finished tied fourth on his debut in the BMW PGA Championship last year.

And the 2018 Masters winner will tee it up in the first two rounds alongside European Ryder Cup players Lee Westwood and Tyrrell Hatton.

Meanwhile Tommy Fleetwood will be joined by defending champion Danny Willett – the Masters winner in 2016 – and 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry.

Reed has had to endure the scrutiny over accusations about an incident over allegedly improving his lie in a bunker in the States last year.

But any criticism seems to have left the Texan unfazed and his eyes are firmly on the prize.

Reed said: “It definitely was motivated by winning the Race to Dubai,” when asked about his keen-ness to travel across the Atlantic for another tilt at Wentworth’s West Course.

“When you’re in the lead, being able to come over is always nice to try to stay on top,” he said.

Captain America supports European Tour

“It was a long decision and it’s one of those that at the end of the day, every time we thought about it, we’ve always supported the European Tour,” said the player nicknamed Captain America after his exploits in the 2016 Ryder Cup.

“We’ve always enjoyed coming over and playing on the European Tour,” said the winner of eight PGA Tour events including the Green Jacket two years ago and the WGC-Mexico Championship, in Februrary.

“Being a lifetime member of the Tour, it was something that I had to come over and play,” said Reed.

“It’s the event, the venue, and supporting the European Tour. The biggest thing for me is it’s their biggest event, and for what the European Tour has done for me, I felt like I had to be here. I had to support.

“And I was going to figure out a way – and my team was going to figure out a way – for me to be able to come over to show that support, considering what they’ve done for me, and especially during times like this where everyone is struggling.

“I see myself as a guy who travels, a guy who plays worldwide, who tries to better my game and figure out not only different cultures, different grasses, different time zones, try to become a more well-rounded golfer.

“And the only way I’m going to do that is by playing on the European Tour and playing around the world.”

Justin Rose will be looking to defend his Olympic title in Japan in 2021. Picture by IGF

Why Rose is ready to come home . . .

OLYMPIC champion Justin Rose is also in action on home soil as part of an all-English three-ball alongside Ryder Cup teammate and long-time friend Ian Poulter.

The latter has been instrumental in guiding the career of rising star Sam Horsfield.

The Manchester-born youngster, who spent most of his youth based in Florida, became a two-time winner during the European Tour’s first UK Swing this summer.

The 23-year-old makes up the group with his mentor Poulter and Rose, who has been working hard to overcome a quiet spell in the States.

Rose, who will have to wait another year to defend that Olympic title after the 2020 Olympics in Japan were postponed for a year, is glad to be back in the UK.

And Rose revealed this week his family are in the processs of relocating from the Bahamas back to the UK to be close to his mum Annie and so his children can be educated in the UK.

The 40-year-old who came through the Hampshire junior ranks in the mid 1990s, said: “It’s great to be home, lovely autumnal feel at the moment.

“Been a crazy year, and obviously first opportunity to really get back and play something on the European Tour.

“To catch up with everybody, first-time experience of the European Tour bubble – I’m excited about playing golf.

“This is for me, the BMW PGA Championship, what I’ve always called a bucket-list tournament.”

Justin swings towards taking ownership

ROSE has also struck out on his own looking after his swing without a full-time coach, having worked in the past with David Leadbetter and Sean Foley.

Justin revealed: “I think ultimately, the decision was, I turned 40 this year and maybe I was fully grown-up – and ready to do more by myself. And not have so much hand-holding.

“I still have Sean Foley around me, who I can consult with if I have a question. That’s the way I treat it.

“If I have a question, go to someone and get the relevant answer – but to take a little bit more ownership myself.

“Hasn’t worked out yet. But these things don’t always happen immediately,” said Rose, who did finish ninth in the USPGA at San Francisco’s Harding Park, in August.

“The last couple of days have actually clicked into a couple days of what I call growth,” he added.

“There’s some light-bulb moments and it’s a blend of some of the new things I’ve learned along the way and some of the old blueprints under Sean.

“I feel like I’m piecing all that together and also body-wise, being able to drill it and groove it in.

“You always see results on the range before you see it on the golf course. But like I said earlier, I feel positive and motivated at the moment.

“I’m enjoying my golf and my practise, so you can only hope that does lead to good stuff eventually.”

The 2020 BMW PGA will have no crowds for the first time as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

No Wentworth crowds in COVID age

ALL the players have been getting used to playing without crowds since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wentworth normally has crowds of 30,000 every day regardless of wehter the BMW PGA was played in its traditional date in May, or in the new September slot it was given last year after the USPGA moved to May.

Danny Willett was happy to reflect on his win 12 months ago with his defence coming in October as the European date tweaked the date to avoid the clash with the rearragned US Open.

Willett said: “There was lots of good, great moments within that round.

“But you know, coming down the last couple in that position, finishing birdie, birdie, closing out the way we did, just coming up the last with actually being able to enjoy that 200-yard walk up the last with all the family and friends there and crowds there.

“It’s a pretty spectacular backdrop usually on the 18th come Sunday. Memorable moments, and yeah, could be a bit different this weekend – but hopefully same scenario.

“It’s always nice to come back here. Obviously unusual to past years where it’s been incredibly busy and great home support being English.

“Game has not been in an amazing place – so nice to be back here and get a few nice vibes of obviously how things went last year.

“Working hard and see if we can get a little bit of form back and put up a little bit of a fight this week.

•To follow Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose in the first round click here for live scoring.

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Hanbury Manor’s Gabriella Cowley had to dig deep to claim her £5,000 winner’s cheque after winning the fifth Rose Ladies Series event at the JCB Golf & Country Club. Picture by LET

FORMER England international Gabriella Cowley, from Essex, dug in for the victory at the JCB Golf and Country Club, in Staffordshire.

Cowley’s round of 70 for a two-under par finish saw her enjoy a slender one shot winning margin over no fewer than six of her nearest rivals including LET stars Georgia Hall and Charley Hull.

Cowley has been in great form throughout the Series finishing third at the first event at Brokenhurst Manor.

And the 24-year-old has not finished outside the top-14 so far this summer.

A delighted Cowley, who survived a nervous finish after a stirring start, said: “This means a lot to me. I have worked extremely hard during lockdown.

“I changed my putter at the start of this week and was five-under-par through 15 holes and playing really well.

Gabriella added: “I did have a bad finish, but it does not matter now.

“I played really well, and a key highlight was making three consecutive birdies to start the back nine.

“The course was playing long and it is a tough test. But the condition of it was unbelievable and it was a really good set-up.”

Cowley, who won the £5,000 winners cheque, added: “The support from Justin and Kate Rose – and the sponsors putting these events on – means a lot to all of us. And it is great to now be a winner of one.

“Every event has been superb and its nice to be playing tournaments.

“These events and the win will give me a big confidence boost heading back into the restart of the Ladies European Tour season.”

Cowley holds off chasing pack

COWLEY, who is attached to Hertfordshire’s Hanbury Manor GC, finished ahead of a group of players tied for second position on one-under.

That pack included Solheim Cup stars Charley Hull, from Woburn, and Dorset’s Georgia Hall, plus last year’s Jabra Ladies Open champion Annabel Dimmock, from Wentworth, Scotland’s Heather MacRae, Aussie Whitney Hillier and Wales’ Chloe Williams.

Gabriella Cowley claimed her maiden professional win with victory in the Rose Ladies Series event

Cowley, who hails from Harlow, came up via Essex Ladies’ junior ranks. She turned pro in 2014 and has made 47 starts on the LET since her rookie year in 2016.

She produced two top 10s in 2019, her best results to date, having started on the LET Access Series in 2015 – just six years after taking up the game.

Hull announced that she will now not travel to play in the States when the LPGA resumes later this month.

Instead the Woburn G&CC ace will continue to play the remaining Rose Ladies Series events in the build-up to August’s AIG Women’s British Open at Royal Troon, with the LET’s Scottish Open, a week before at The Renaissance GC, in North Berwick.

Hull was originally planning to fly to the USA this week to meet the two-week quarantine required before playing in the Drive On Championship, in Toledo, on July 31.

The LPGA winner was then set to play in the Marathon Classic, also in Ohio.

But after winning the first Rose Ladies Series event at Brokenhurst Manor last month – followed by top sixes in the next three events – the 24-year-old from Kettering is targetting the American Golf Order of Merit.

Gemma Dryburgh – who won the last two events, including at Royal St George’s – has now flown back to America to rejoin the LPGA.

Paul McDonnell, Rose’s agent at Excel Sports who are running the series, said: “I’ve spoken to Justin and Kate and they are thrilled that Charley is to carry on playing.

“To have someone of Charley’s status is, of course, a big boost. We completely understand why Gemma felt she needed to be back on the LPGA Tour to fight for her playing status, and we wish her all the best.

“The series is going from strength to strength and is sure to get even more exciting.”

Worcestershire’s talented US college golfer Emily Price finished 15th in her first Rose Series event before she returns for her third year in the States, playing for Kent State University. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY.

Price made flying start at JCB

ONCE again there was another fine showing from the lone amateur in the field – Emily Price, the 2016 English Women’s Strokeplay champion.

Emily Price can take some pride from her round of 74 which saw the Kent State University student finish in 15th place.

The Ludlow Golf Club member got off to a flying start with a birdie at the opening hole in the fifth event in the Rose Ladies Series.

Bogeys at the fifth and eighth halted her charge, but another birdie at the par three, ninth hole allowed her to reach the turn in a level par total of 36.

A tough back nine for Price started with two bogeys at 10 and 11.

However, another birdie at the 12th, a run of five pars and a dropped shot at the last allowed her to sign for a score of two-over par.

Price, who started life as a member at Cleobury Mortimer GC, also claimed the Scottish Girls Open title and the English Girls Order of Merit in 2016.

She transferred from University of South Carolina in March to join Ohio’s KSU for her third and junior year in the NCAA.

•For full scores from the JCB club click here.

Berkshire’s Bearwood Lakes is one of the most highly-rated courses in the South

Two more before Grand Final at Wentworth

THE Rose Ladies Series features eight tournaments, culminating in the three-day Computacenter Grand Final.

It will be held across three courses, North Hants, The Berkshire and Wentworth’s West Course, from August 5-8.

There is a £35,000 prize fund for the Order of Merit, sponsored by American Golf with £20,000 for first, £10,000 for second and £5,000 for third place.

Next week, Gabriella Cowley and the rest of the ladies roll on to week six with an event at Bearwood Lakes GC, in Berkshire before the penultimate event at The Shire London, a week later.

The post Hot putter delivers maiden win for Gabriella Cowley in 5th Rose Ladies Series event appeared first on Golf North.

Worcestershire’s Emily Price is the one amateur in the field for the fifth Rose Ladies Series at Uttoxeter’s JCB Golf & Country Club. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

WORCESTERSHIRE’S Emily Price will fly the flag for the amateur game in the fifth event of the Rose Ladies Series today (Thursday).

The former England Girls’ international is the only non-professional in the field for the event staged at the JCB Golf & Country Club, in Staffordshire.

The Kent State University student will line up alongside stars of the women’s game including Charley Hull, Meghan MacLaren and back-to-back series winner Gemma Dryburgh.

Price goes into the event in a rich vein of form. Earlier this month, the 20-year-old broke the course record at Ludlow Golf Club with a five-under par 66.

The Ludlow GC member has progressed quickly up the amateur rankings and currently stands at No. 105 in the world.

On completing her studies in 2022, Price has targeted a move into professional golf – with the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School and a life on Tour her ultimate aim.

Price became the second youngest winner of the English Women’s Strokeplay title when – at the age of 16 – she won the title at Bristol and Clifton Golf Club, in 2016, and adding the English Girls Order of Merit later that year.

Since then, the 2016 Scottish Girls Open Champion has spent two years at the Universty of South Carolina before transferring to Ohio’s Kent State for her final two years playing in the NCAA.

Emily Price signed to play for Kent State University as a junior (third year) in 2020/21

Will the Price be right for Emily?

PRICE will be hoping to keep up the fine record of amateurs competing in this summer’s Rose Ladies Series events.

In the four previous tournaments, at least one amateur has claimed a top-10 finish.

The Rose Ladies Series was the brainchild of England Golf ambassador Justin Rose and his wife Kate, who were keen to support golf’s restart after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The former US Open winner and current Olympic champion has sponsored a series of seven events – leading up to next month’s Grand Final, which will be played over three days, from August 5-7.

The top 51 players will play 18 holes each at Fleet’s North Hants – Justin’s home club – and The Berkshire, at Ascot.

The top 35 will then play the final round at Wentworth, when the famous West Course hosts a women’s professional event for the first time. The winner of the Order of Merit will pocket another £35,000, from sponsor American Golf.

For scoring updates from JCB G&CC, click here, or follow the England Golf Twitter feed. Sky Sports Golf will also carry reports and highlights.

Liz Young who organised the Brokenhurst Women’s Open – the first event of the new Rose Ladies Series, which now has seven tournaments and a final. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

The post Youngest English Strokeplay Champion Emily Price is the latest to get Rose Series start 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.

Charley Hull – winner of the first Rose Ladies Series event at Brokenhurst Manor – got to play with Somerset’s Mimi Rhodes, one of England’s top young talents. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MIMI Rhodes made a spectacular first impression on LPGA and Solheim Cup star Charley Hull at the opening event of the Rose Ladies Series.

The 18-year England women’s squad player’S booming drive found the green at the 308-yard, first hole at Brokenhurst Manor.

Rhodes’ eagle putt from 25 feet then struck the flag – but agonisingly hopped back out the hole to leave the Somerset ace with a tap-in birdie.

No wonder Hull had a broad grin on her face. Her own aggressive style of play as an amateur was a portent of things to come on the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA where the Woburn golfer now plays.

Yet if Rhodes made a positive early impact on Hull – she also birdied the second hole to take the early tournament lead – it was nothing compared to the lasting impression the woman ranked 25th in the world made on the young England international.

Hull went on to win the event after making birdie at the first play-off hole.

The former Kettering junior pipped tournament organiser Liz Young on her home course – after the duo finished the regulation 18 holes tied with level-par 70s.

Twenty-four-year-old Hull received the trophy and a £5,000 cheque from Kate Rose, wife of England Golf ambassador Justin, on Thursday.

The couple agreed to sponsor the event, initially, before turning Young’s idea into an eight-round series over the next two months.

Rhodes was watching her every step of the way – eager to pick up any bits of advice and insight to help with her own progress in the game.

Rhodes, who played in the Junior Solheim Cup against the USA at Gleneagles, in September, was not disgraced shooting a five-over par 75 on a very tough set-up.

Mimi Rhodes – winner of the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship – at Quinta do Lago Golf Club in November. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Seventh heaven for Rhodes sisters

THE winner of last year’s Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Championship finished in a tie for seventh place in the inaugural Rose Ladies Series event in the New Forest.

As one of only three amateurs in the field of 47 players at the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open, her finish was highly creditable.

And she had sister Patience – who also qualified for the 2019 Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Championship finals – on the bag.

Rhodes admitted watching Hull at close proximity for 18 holes was the major positive she will take from the day.

“I desperately wanted to play well in front of Charley. My sister was on the bag and telling me to calm down,” joked Rhodes, a member at Burnham and Berrow GC.

“At the first hole I was really nervous. But I guess there was a bit of adrenaline too.

“In practice my drive at the first was close to the green.

“Then in the event I had 310 yards to the front and I boomed one – and it finished pin high.

“It was a bit awkward with players still on the green.

“My putt was from 25 feet. It hit the pin and was knocked out. Charley was laughing. The birdie settled me down.

“I had watched Charley play at the Solheim Cup last year, but never met her.

“She was obviously concentrating on her own game. But when we were walking between shots she was really friendly and the conversation felt really normal and that helped me settle.

“I was watching her play really intently. I was also listening to how her and her caddie made decisions during the round.

“My sister could have learned a lot.”

Big year ahead for America-bound Mimi

Mimi Rhodes and her sister Patience at the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

THE England international – who is bound for the USA in the autumn – is confident her first pro event will be a huge benefit in the coming months.

“I always wondered how my game would compare to these players, and playing with Charley helped me realise a few things.

“It has given me confidence that I have enough distance in my game to keep up – but the big area of difference is the short game.

“It really opened my eyes to where I need to get to in the future.

“I tightened up around the green and had five putts of around 10 feet for birdie that I didn’t take,” said Mimi.

”So I can take a lot from the experience.

“It was really good that Justin sponsored the event to give women professionals and amateurs the chance to compete in such a great event.

“For him to take such an interest in the women’s game is a real positive for our sport.

“I had time to meet his wife Kate and thank her for their support, which we all truly appreciate.”

Mimi offered golf scholarship place in North Carolina

MIMI Rhodes has decisions to make about what direction her season will now take during the summer.

She has options to play a couple more events in England – or head to America for the US Amateur.

Whatever route the England Women’s squad member takes, it does appear that her career is following an upward trajectory as she prepares for a move to America to play college golf.

Rhodes revealed: “I’m going to Wake Forest in North Carolina at the end of August. I’m really looking forward to combining studies with golf.

“It’s an exciting time. Hopefully I can make progress toward my goal of eventually becoming a professional.”

The post Mimi ready to take the right Rhodes to top via Hull and back – and then Wake Forest appeared first on Golf North.

Woburn’s Charley Hull tied with Brokenhurst Women’s Open founder Liz Young – but won the play-off to become the first Rose Ladies Series winner. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

CHARLEY Hull won the first Rose Ladies Series Event in some style.

The Woburn ace defeated Hampshire heroine Liz Young with a birdie on the first extra hole at Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club, in the New Forest.

Spectators weren’t allowed inside the venue due to government social distancing guidelines.

But they would have been treated to a fantastic tournament and a thrilling finale which went to a play-off.

Both players carded level par rounds of 70 in overcast and windy conditions.

Young, who organised the event at her home club, played in the first group out and set the clubhouse target.

But she waited for three-and-a-half hours before Hull matched her score.

World No. 25 Hull was two strokes clear with two holes to play and looked to have the £5,000 winner’s cheque tucked in her back pocket.

But the Solheim Cup winner double bogeyed the par-four 17^th hole, after hitting a rescue wood off-line right into a ditch from the tee.

She had a chance to birdie the 18^th to win in regulation play but missed the putt on the hole.

The 18th is driveable when the county’s leading amateur players contest the Mike Smith Memorial Open, which was won by Hampshire junior Justin Rose, back in 1996.

After pitching on to the green, Hull took her chance at the first extra hole, rolling in a similar putt from 12 feet beyond the hole.

Charley Hull, from Woburn, receives her £5,000 cheque and a rose bowl from joint sponsor Kate Rose, wife of reigning Olympic Golf champion Justin. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Charley’s been to Hull and back getting ready for return of LPGA

THE new champion was presented with a rose bowl and winner’s cheque for £5,000 by Kate Rose, wife of PGA Tour star Justin, who together, reportedly sponsored the series to the tune of £35,000.

That sum was believed to have been matched by sponsors American Golf enabling the Brokenhurst event to be rolled out into a series of eight tournaments in the next two months.

Hull hadn’t played a competitive round in almost five months – in fact since the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, in Florida, in January.

Charley said: “I’m just so happy to be playing professional golf again and have a scorecard in my hand.

“The golf course was in great condition and it was my first time round here today.

“I was quite happy with my score. I doubled the 17^th because I  took a wrong line off the tee. But it was just great to be playing.

“I’ve missed it loads. I love playing golf. I’m pretty much golfed out because I’ve been playing every day. But I can’t wait to get back out on tour.

“I want to thank Justin and Kate Rose for putting these events on.

“You need to be playing to get back in the mindset. I’ve been playing a lot for the last few weeks and I played eight days on the trot.

“But it’s not the same as having a scorecard in your hand. I’ll go back to America in four weeks’ time, so hopefully this will get my brain back into tournament golf.”

Hull said she had never seen the course before but described the Harry Colt classic as a “hidden gem.”

Ex-amateur champs: Play-off rivals

HULL and Young – who was Liz Bennett as an amateur – are both past English Women’s Amateur Champions.

Young, the World No. 503, was pleased with finishing second, especially as she hadn’t played a competitive round in more than six months.

“I was excited and really nervous,” said Young, who last played at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in December.

“It has been a long time since a card was in the hand. I was playing on my own course, so had the home advantage.

“But I also know where all the trouble is. I was really happy with how I played and level par, because it was playing tough out there.

“I was playing well in practise and I just hadn’t put much time in on the course.

“It’s all coming together and I’m just excited that I’ve got another seven tournaments in which to play.

“This is the start of something great for UK golf and hopefully this will continue.”

Essex’s Gabriella Cowley finished third on 71, with Hertfordshire’s Hannah Burke in fourth a further shot back.

Holly Calvert and Berkhamsted’s Alice Hewson – who won the Investec South African Women’s Open champion on her first start as a Ladies European Tour rookie – tied for fifth.

Liz Young with her husband and caddy Jon having seen the dream of creating the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open to help LET players get back into tournament golf.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Wentworth to stage final round of Grand Final

THERE will be a Rose Ladies Series Event played on Thursday each week, in June and July, leading up to the Grand Final on August 6-7.

The opening round will be played at The Berkshire, in Ascot, with the final round to be hosted on the famous West Course at Wentworth.

With Justin Rose’s management team Excel Sports teaming up with Young to put on the series, the England Golf ambassador was able to invite three of the country’s leading amateurs to play.

ROSE LADIES SERIES
June 25: Moor Park Golf Club
July 2: Buckinghamshire Golf Club
9: Royal St George’s Golf Club
16: JCB Golf and Country Club
23: Bearwood Lakes
30: The Shire, London
GRAND FINAL
August 6: The Berkshire Golf Club
7: Wentworth Golf Club (West Course)

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Ferndown’s Hayley Davis can’t wait to get started playing again – the 2019 LET Access winner will tee it up in the Rose Ladies Series at Brokenhurst Manor GC, on Thursday.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

DORSET’S Hayley Davis could not wait for the Rose Ladies Series to get under way today at Brokenhurst Manor.

Davis described the one-day tournaments for women professionals in the UK as “everything” as she prepared to make her return to competitive golf at the New Forest club.

Hayley is poised to tee it up in the first of seven rounds over the next month – plus the recently announced Tour Championship final at Wentworth.

Also in the field are Solheim Cup stars Charley Hull, from Woburn, and recent rookie winner Alice Hewson, from Hertfordshire, who won her first start on the LET in South Africa, in March.

The series has been sponsored by Hampshire’s US Open winner and Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose and his wife Kate.

Ferndown’s Davis earned her place on the Ladies European Tour for 2020, after winning the LET Access Series Order of Merit crown last year.

But with the LET schedule wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic, the 27-year-old is champing at the bit for a chance to compete in the newly-formed UK series.

Asked what Rose’s sponsorship meant for the women’s game, Davis said: “It’s everything. Just that the men understand how it is for the women – and the fact he wanted to do it – means a lot.

“For us, we do just want the chance to go out there and compete again.

“So, the fact we have been given the opportunity, it’s just exciting and amazing that he wanted to do it. It was really good.

“At the end of the day, we are all sports people. We all just want the opportunity to compete.

“There’s a lot of people behind it that want women to have the recognition, because it’s quite big that we are starting to compete before a lot of other sports have been able to.

“It’s just really nice that he wants to do it and understands that we need the opportunity.”

Justin Rose after winning the Gold Medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Picture by CHRIS CONDON / International Golf Federation

Rose: I had to help women’s game

FORMER World No. 1 Rose, who grew up playing junior golf for Hampshire, was determined to give the women’s game a lift.

Just days after missing out on a play-off at Colonial by a ball’s width with his final putt of the tournament in Texas, the new series bearing his name tees off in Hampshire.

Justin, who watched Florida’s Daniel Berger beat Colin Morikawa in a play–off in the first PGA Tour event in three months on Sunday, said: “I am keenly aware that I now have the opportunity to go back to work and compete on the PGA Tour.

“But this is not the same for the ladies and some junior tours as well.

“To me this seems somewhat unfair. My wife Kate and I felt there was an opportunity to step up and help.

“We wanted to give them the opportunity to play and to be ready for when the opportunities arise later in the summer.”

Last year’s LET Access Series winner Hayley Davis had to wait patiently for starts on the tour in 2020 – only for the COVID-19 crisis to interrupt her season. Picture by MANON GUENOT

Davis and Young to tee off in first group

HAYLEY Davis is set to tee off in the opening group at 10.30am alongside Brokenhurst professional Liz Young.

The LET ace came up with the idea of the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open earlier this month – before Rose offered to back a whole series of events as the idea snowballed.

“I am just really excited to be able to go and do it again because it’s been a long break,” Davis said.

“I know it’s been the same for everyone but just to have the chance to play again, when we didn’t really know when we would get the chance to play next, it’s really good.

“Nobody really knew how long it was going to go on for,” added Davis, referring to COVID-19 lockdown.

“That was probably the hardest thing – just to keep yourself motivated, keep going practice-wise and stuff.

“You had to get the net in the garden and try to keep in the swing of it as much as you could – and just wait to find out when we could get back to it.

“It will be really good to have a chance to compete once a week. It will make us more ready to go, hopefully when we do finally get started,” talking about the LET’s return.

The visit to Brokenhurst will also mark a trip down memory lane for the former Dorset Ladies Champion, who turned pro in 2015.

The Baylor University graduate said: “I went to college there for two years a while ago now. So I got to play there a lot. It’s really nice that the first one is close to home.

“I haven’t played there for about nine years I think, so it will be good to go back there.”

Davis and Young share amateur glories

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

HAYLEY Davis shares something in common with Liz Young – they have both won the English Ladies Amateur Strokeplay title.

Davis picked up the trophy at Tandridge in Surrey, in 2014 – eight years after Young – as Liz Bennett – claimed victory at Birmingham’s Little Aston.

Charley Hull is another former English Strokeplay winner in the field, having won at Alwoodley, in Leeds, in 2011.

Davis also won the English Girls title in 2011 at Ellesborough, before becoming just the sixth player ever to also win the English Women’s Amateur title, following the likes of Claire Waite, Diane Oxley adn Rebecca Hudson.

Rose is another with links to the classic Harry Colt course in the New Forest.

A then teenage member at North Hants GC won the Mike Smith Memorial Trophy in 1996.

In the process, he set the course record at Brokenhurst Manor – the year he helped Hampshire win the English County Championship for the first time.

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Lottie Woad is one of three amateurs to get an invite to the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open – the first of the new Rose Ladies Series. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

SURREY Ladies Amateur Champion Lottie Woad says it will be a thrill to kick-start her 2020 season competing alongside many of her golf idols in the first event of the Rose Ladies Series.

The England Girls’ squad player is one of three amateurs taking part in Thursday’s 18-hole professional event at the New Forest’s Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club.

England Golf ambassador Justin Rose and his wife Kate are sponsoring eight such events between now and August.

England women’s squad player Mimi Rhodes – winner of last year’s Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship in Portugal – has also been invited to the star-studded tournament.

Under 16 international Louise Burke, from Dorset, is the third England Golf representative in the field of 51 players.

It is the first post-lockdown event for players earning a living on the Ladies’ European Tour.

It’s an exciting return to action for the women’s game. Stars such as Woburn’s Charley Hull, Northamptonshire’s LET winner Meg Maclaren, and LET rookie Alice Hewson are heading to Hampshire.

Rose – the 2013 US Open winner and reigning Olympic champion – has sponsored the seven-event series and grand final with backing from retail outlet American Golf.

Lottie Woad (left) on England U16 duty last summer with Louise Burke (second from right), from Dorset, who is also in the field at Brokenhurst Manor

Woad working hard in her garden

WOAD has spent the past few months practising solidly in her garden at Her Farnham home.

And she is eagerly anticipating the day when she can return to competitive golf.

The fact that her comeback is in such a landmark event just makes the prospect even more exciting for the 16-year-old.

“It’s my first ever pro event and my first competition of the year,” said Woad, who became the youngest to land the Surrey crown, in April 2019, aged just 15

“I’ve not played an event since October when England took on Ireland at Hunstanton.

“I read on Twitter that these ladies’ events were starting up. I got in contact with the organiser – LET player Liz Young – to ask about amateurs being involved.

“Then Justin Rose came on board as a sponsor, and last Thursday I heard I was one of three amateur invites.

“It’s a brilliant way to start the season. I found out on Monday that I was paired with Meg MacLaren, which is really exciting.

“Meg was speaking to England players during an online session a few weeks ago. It was great fun and very helpful. So I’m looking forward to getting the chance to now play with her.”

Practice round will help Lottie with nerves

Lottie Woad has won both the Surrey Girls and Ladies titles

THERE may be some butterflies on the first tee for the England trio.

But Lottie Woad is just eager to get back on the course with a scorecard in her hand.

“I won’t overthink things and just try to play my own game – and not get caught up in the event itself,” added Woad, who will have dad Nick on the bag.

“I was down at Brokenhurst at the weekend to play a practice round. It’s less than an hour’s drive from where I live so really easy to get to.

“It’s a beautiful course and we even had a herd of deer join us on one of the holes.

“I feel my golf is in good shape as I’ve spent most of lockdown practising,” added Lottie, who won the Surrey Girls’ crown in 2018.

“My GCSE exams were cancelled, but fortunately I had good mocks to fall back on,” said Lottie, who added the Surrey Ladies’ title last spring.

“I was playing at Farnham Golf Club the first day golf was allowed back and birdied the first hole and shot two-under which was a good start.”

WOAD also made a splash on Twitter during lockdown with regular posts of her attempting a flop shot in her back garden.

Her exploits, picked up by the LET, Sky and The R&A, show off skills that Rose himself would be proud of.

“If I need to hit a flop shot then I should be ok,” joked Woad.

“I started hitting over a fence, then progressed to hit over a netball stand into a bowl.

“There’s no grass left in that bit of the garden now,” said Lottie.

The teenager shaved three years off the Surrey Ladies’ County Championship record once held by Dame Laura Davies.

The most successful British player in LET history is also down to play at Brokenhurst Manor.

After the Brokenhurst Manor event, the series moves to the following venues:–
June 25: Moor Park Golf Club
July 2: Buckinghamshire Golf Club
9: Royal St George’s Golf Club
16: JCB Golf and Country Club
23: Bearwood Lakes
30: The Shire, London
GRAND FINAL
August 6: The Berkshire Golf Club
7: Wentworth Golf Club (West Course)

Sky Sports will provide TV coverage – check England Golf on Twitter for updates of Lottie’s progress.

Justin Rose – the 2013 US Open winner and the 2016 Olympic Champion – who has sponsored the series of women’s events in the UK with his wife Kate

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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

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Last year’s Reid Trophy winner French teenager Joseph Linel – the 2020 English U14s Championship has been cancelled. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

THE Reid and McGregor Trophy will not take place in 2020 – because of the continuing COVID-19 crisis, England Golf has announced.

England Golf believes the English U14 and U16 championships – due to be held in the last week of July and early August – pose to many obstacles to overcome for them to go ahead.

The England Girls U16 and U14 Championships – which were due to be held at Brentwood’s Thorndon Park Golf Club, in Esssex – have also been called off.

An England Golf spokesman said: “The safety and wellbeing of our junior competitors and their accompanying parents/guardians remains of paramount importance.

“While we are confident the golf element of a championship can be managed successfully, there are additional practical difficulties associated with running junior events.

“With parents and guardians necessarily joining competitors, staff and volunteers on site within the confines of a smaller club environment, it becomes more difficult to adhere to social distancing regulations.”

A spokesman said: “England Golf is most appreciative of the understanding and acceptance shown by the host clubs in making this tough decision.

“We look forward to working with them again in the future.”

England Golf is confident the Men’s and Women’s national championship can still go ahead at its national headquarters at Woodhall Spa, in Lincolnshire, at the end of July.

The spokesman added: “It should be noted that due to the size and layout of the Woodhall Spa facility at the home of England Golf, the English Men’s and English Women’s Amateur Championships – scheduled to be played from July 28-August 2 – remain in the diary.

“England Golf is confident it can celebrate the best of English amateur golf at this joint event.”

French teenager Joseph Linel – the 2019 winner – will have to wait a year longer to stand a chance of joining the elite group to have won the Reid and McGregor Trophy.

Justin Rose won the McGregor and Carris trophies in 1995

Carris and other events ‘unaffected’ at the moment says England Golf

ALL other England Golf championships remain provisionally scheduled as before – but are subject to regular review in accordance with updated government advice and regulations, England Golf has confirmed.

The biggest junior event is the Carris Trophy, which was moved to the end of August, from the third week in July, becasue of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The venue was switched from St George’s Hill, at Weybridge, in Surrey, to Broadstone, in Dorset, back in April.

The English Seniors Men’s and Women Amateur Championships have also been rescheduled to the middle of August.

The McGregor has been won by the likes of Justin Rose, back in 1995, and Edoardo Molinari, a year later.

The Italian denied a back-to-back victory for the North Hants GC teenager – a feat only achieved by Lincolnshire’s Jim Payne, in 1987.

It was one of three national victories in one stunning season for Rose, who only turned 15 after he had completed the double by adding the Carris Trophy at the English Boys Amateur Championship, at Burnham & Berrow.

The winners from 1995 and 1996 at Radcliffe-on-Trent GC. The Nottinghamshire’ club ran the comptetion before it became the English U16 Championship in 1982 – both went on to play in the Ryder Cup for Europe.

Graeme Storm, the winner in 1994, played in the 1999 Walker Cup and won twice on the European Tour.

Essex’s Oliver Fisher, the McGregor winner in 2004, broke Rose’s record as the youngest ever player in the Walker Cup in 2005, at just 16.

•The 2020 McGregor Trophy was due to be played at Gateshead’s Heworth GC (July 28-30). It is still played at its spiritual home at Ratcliffe-on-Trent every five years.

Conor Gough – one of just three winners of both the Reid and McGregor Trophy. Picture by Leaderboard Photography

Gough one of three to win men’s and U16s

ONLY three McGregor champions have gone on to win the English Amateur – James Heath (1999 and 2004), Paul Waring (2001 and 2006) and Stoke Park’s Conor Gough (2018 and 2019).

Just two years ago, Gough won the McGregor before adding the British Boys title at the age of 15.

He also became the second-youngest English Amateur Champion by beating Northamptonshire County’s Callum Farr, in the final at Surrey’s Hankley Common last summer.

The Walker Cup player was four days older than when Harry Ellis broke Sir Nick Faldo’s 1975 record in the 2012 English Amateur final.

Only three juniors have won the Reid and McGregor Trophy.

And unsurprisingly Gough became the latest player to have achieved the feat in 2018 after winning the Reid in 2016.

Worthing’s Oscar Sharpe became the first in 2006, followed by his Sussex clubmate Toby Tree, when he won the McGregor in 2010 – two years after claiming the U14s title.

Eddie Pepperell won the Reid in 2005 at Bristol & Clifton and is the only winner so far, to have earned a European Tour card.

Kent’s Jonathan Bell ended up on the bag when Tyrrell Hatton claimed two European Tour wins back-to-back in 2017.

The Reid Trophy was created back in 1995, with Porters Park in Hertfordshire staging what became the English U14 Championship for the first five years.

The English U14s was due to be played at Prestbury Golf Club, in Cheshire, for the first time, from August 4-6.

Quartet of Carris winners played Ryder Cup

NOTABLE Carris Trophy winners include Sandy Lyle (1975), Peter Baker (1983), David Gilford (1981) plus Hertfordshire’s Ken Brown (1974) and Peter Townsend (1965) – who all went on to play in the Ryder Cup.

Ken Brown – Picture: WOJCIECH MIGDA

Another Hertfordshire junior destined for the European Tour was Welwyn Garden City’s Tom Lewis, who won the Carris just along the M25 at Moor Park – the event’s spriritual home since it was first played in 1935.

Lewis went on to beat Frilford Heath’s Eddie Pepperell in the British Boys final at Royal St George the following month.

He became just the third player to win the UK’s top two junior events in the same season, matching Townsend, who won the British title for a second time in 1964, the year he claimed the Carris.

Nine Carris winners have gone on to add the English Amateur Championship to their silverware collection.

The first was Ronnie White, who added the men’s title 12 years after he became the third-ever winner of the Carris at Moor Park, in Hertfordshire.

The other double winners are (Carris Trophy first): –
John Langley (1936 and 1950)
Ian Caldwell (1947/8 and 1961)
David Gilford (1981 and 1984)
Ian Garbutt (1989 and 1990)
Mark Foster (1992 and 1994)
Scott Godfrey (1998 and 2001)
Gary Lockerbie (2000 and 2003)
Callum Shinkwin (2010 and 2013)

Lyle rewrote the record books for the Brabazon Trophy – the English Men’s Amateur Strokeplay – by winning it as a 17-year-old in 1975.

The future Masters winner broke the record set in October 1949 by Hampshire’s Paddy Hine, who had won the Carris Trophy at Moor Park earlier that summer, also aged 17.

Ben Schmidt the youngest to complete the Carris and Brabazon Trophy double at just 16. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Schmidt became youngest winner of Carris and Brabazon

YORKSHIRE’S Ben Schmidt smashed Sandy Lyle’s record by claiming the Carris at the age of just 16 last summer.

His win came just six weeks after claiming the Brabazon at Alwoodley, in Leeds.

The Reid and McGregor Trophy may not bear Schmidt’s name. But he became just the ninth player – and just the second in the 21st Century – to claim the Carris and Brabazon double.

Hampshire’s Darren Wright was the first. Rowlands Castle’s England international added the Men’s title at Hoylake in 2010 – four years after his Boys’ victory at Sherwood Forest.

Lyle became just the second player to land that double in the same season after Hine. Peter Baker became the third 10 years later,

Sussex’s Gary Evans – who won the Carris in 1986 – shared the Brabazon Trophy two years in a row in 1990 and 1991 – before earning his card on the European Tour.

Nottinghamshire’s Mark Foster was the only player to complete the double in the 1990s.

Kent’s Paul Page became the first Carris winner away from Moor Park, in 1988, at Durham’s Brancepth Castle.

That was the year the English Golf Union adopted the tournament as its official England U18 Boys Open Strokeplay Championship.

The tournament now returns to its original home at Moor Park every five years.

In three of the seven Carris Trophies held at Moor Park since 1989, Hertfordshire players have triumped on three occasions.

David Griffiths, from nearby West Herts won in 1997, was followed by The Hertfordshire GC’s Thomas Haylock in 2005, and Welwyn Garden City’s Tom Lewis in 2009.

•A full list of winners of the Reid and McGregor Trophy can be found on the England Golf website.

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