Four Nations Golf Challenge stays at The Oxfordshire

The Grand Final of the Four Nations Golf Challenge (FNGC), sponsored by Golf Plus Direct – ‘Golf Fees Made Easy’, will again be contested at The Oxfordshire.

Roger Brady, Director of Concierge Golf Limited, the owners and organisers of the FNGC, said; “Following the tremendous success of our 2011 Grand Final, we had no hesitation in choosing The Oxfordshire once again. Despite receiving several very attractive offers to move our unique tournament elsewhere, The Oxfordshire really does meet all our requirements for a golf course that is challenging, interesting and always well conditioned, together with a top quality on-site hotel where our finalists will again, enjoy a ‘nothing but the best’ experience”. The 2012 FNGC Grand Final will take place from 23 rd to 26 th September.

Ryan Bezuidenhout, Director of Sales at The Oxfordshire, added; “We are extremely pleased to be chosen as the host venue for the FNGC Grand Final for 2012. Everyone here at The Oxfordshire is looking forward to what promises to be another great event this year, as well as working with the FNGC team in making this Grand Final even better than the last. September will see The Oxfordshire welcome all the finalists to the home of the FNGC Grand Final in true style”.

Open to Golf Club members of all standards, who enter in ‘Pairs’, The Four Nations Golf Challenge Grand Final will be contested by four teams of 12 players (6 pairs) representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The 2012 Grand Final will once again, be broadcast by Sky Sports. . For tournament registration and other information click onto www.fournationsgolfchallenge.co.uk or call the Tournament Office on 01276 35505.

The Oxfordshire, a spectacular rolling layout designed by Rees Jones and owned by the Leaderboard Group which also includes Chart Hills, Dale Hill and Sandford Springs, opened its own state- of-the-art four-star hotel in May 2010 and every finalist will stay free of charge throughout the four days of the Grand Final

As in 2011, Glenbrae Golf will again be supplying all Grand Final competitors with their high quality British made Knitwear, along with range of beautiful coordinating polo shirts, with the appropriate FNGC national crest embroidered on the garments.

Wessex Amateur Golf Tour

New for 2012 the Wessex Amateur Golf Tour is a series of events throughout Central Southern England. Each tournament has its own prize fund, plus there is a season-long order of merit.

The tour provides good affordable and friendly competition on some of the best courses in the area. The format for each competition is coffee & bacon rolls on arrival, 18 holes of Individual Stableford followed by a prize-giving.

2012 Dates & Venues

20/03/2012 - Salisbury & South Wilts Golf Club - £40 per person

27/04/2012 - Newbury & Crookham Golf Club - £40 per person

22/05/2012 - Sherborne Golf Club - £40 per person

19/06/2012 - Tidworth Garrison Golf Club - £40 per person

19/07/2012 - East Devon Golf Club - £40 per person

09/08/2012 - Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club - £48 per person

30/08/2012 - Oake Manor Golf Club - £38 per person

25/09/2012 - Dorset Golf & Country Club - £38 per person

19/10/2012 - High Post Golf Club - £40 per person

Mixed Open at South Beds Golf Club

The Mixed Team Open at South Beds Golf Club will take place on Sunday 23rd September and entries have just opened.

The format for this competition is a Team Stableford where the best three scores count on each hole, except on par 3's when all four players must score.

Teams should comprise of two men and two ladies with maximum handicaps of 28 and 36 respectively. Those taking part will be greeted with tea or coffee on arrival and enjoy a 3-course evening meal.

Tee times commence from 11.30am and the cost of entry is £112 per team. Places are limited so don't delay if you want to take part.

About South Beds

South Beds Golf Club was established in 1892 and is located in the Northern outskirts of Luton.

The superb 18-hole Galley Hill Course provides an excellent challenge for all golfers.

It is a downland course built around the chalk hills of Bedfordshire, which gives excellent playing conditions all year round.

The club is a popular venue for open competitions with players returning year after year to compete.

2012 Opens at The Walsall Golf Club

We'd like to inform you about seven open competitions that will take place at this gem of a course during 2012. Tournaments run from June until September at The Walsall Golf Club and early booking is required for every event.

The first competition is a Ladies Team Open on Wednesday 13th June. Entry is £30 per team for this 3-Ball Alliance. A handicap of 30 or less is required.

Two mixed events take place during the year at Walsall. The first is a Mixed Team Open on Sunday 22nd July. The format is a Team of Four Stableford where the best man and best lady score on each hole. The entry-fee of £100 per team is great value as this includes a 2-course meal. Maximum handicaps of 22 and 32 are required respectively.

The second mixed open is Greensome Stableford on Thursday 23rd August. Entry is only £20 per couple with maximum handicap limits of 18 (men) and 30 (ladies).

Senior golfers will not be disappointed either. The annual Pairs Alliance will be held on Monday 18th June for golfers aged 55 and over with a handicap of 24 or less. Entry is £50 per pair and includes a 2-course meal.

The Men's Seniors Individual Open is scheduled for Monday 30th July. This Individual Stableford costs £17 to enter but is only open to golfers aged 58 years and over (max handicap 24).

The Senior Ladies Betterball Stableford will be played on Wednesday 19th September and is good value at just £20 per pair. Players must have a handicap no higher than 32 and be aged 50 years or over.

Finally the popular Gents Team Open takes place on Friday 27th July. This Am-Am Stableford for men with a maximum handicap of 24 is a great day out and includes a 2-course meal in the entry-fee of £100 per team.

About Walsall

Formed in October 1907, The Walsall Golf Club is situated in Walsall, West Midlands a short distance from the Midlands Motorways link, and is the ideal venue for an open competition.

The 18 hole course has an abundance of sand traps. Each and every green is closely guarded by bunkers requiring a precise second shot.

The layout is little changed from Dr. MacKenzie's original design but a careful programme of tree planting over the last fifty years means that every fairway is tree lined calling for greater accuracy from the tee than most courses.

The length is 6250 yards giving rise to a par of 70 but such is the test of the course that the standard scratch is also 70. It is however, an "easy walking" parkland course and as such is suitable for all types and ages of golfers.

Peter Cooper drives the Hampshire PGA in 2012

The Peter Cooper Volkswagen Group is going to be the driving force behind the Hampshire PGA in 2012.

Hampshire PGA Secretary David Weeler will be driving a Volkswagen Golf, supplied and sponsored by the Hampshire and West Sussex based Volkswagen Retailer, in his travels to over 40 Pro-am and Championship events during the course of the 2012 season.

The Volkswagen Golf will be on display at all these Golf Tournaments promoting the Peter Cooper Group, who has Retailers in Southampton, Hedge End, Portsmouth and Chichester.

The 2012 Hampshire PGA tour will travel to Golf Clubs from Barton-on-Sea to Hayling and from Dibden to Southwood. A potential audience of over 35,000 Golf Club Members will have the chance to admire the Hampshire PGA and it's new sponsor on the 1st Tee. As well as the Hampshire PGA, The Peter Cooper Group support many other local sports clubs and charities across their territory, such as Eastleigh FC, Havant and Waterlooville, Bognor FC, charities such as Wessex Cancer Trust and Wessex Heartbeat.

The 2012 Order of Merit season starts at Barton-on-Sea on Wednesday 2nd May.

Visit the Peter Cooper Group and Hampshire PGA websites for more information.

Daily Echo photo (from left to right): Gary Stubbington (Chairman, Hampshire PGA), David Wheeler (Secretary), Eddy Rawlings (Captain), Steve Richardson (Vice-Captain) and Darren Cooper (Group Managing Director, Peter Cooper).

2011 Gtour Race to Cyprus Grand Final - Ainsworth Crowned Champion

The 2011 Gtour Race to Cyprus Grand Final at Aphrodite Hills Resort ended in dramatic fashion with Colin Ainsworth coming out on top.

10 players progressed to the Grand Final after the season long 2011 Order of Merit and qualification at the 2 day semi-final last November at De Vere Belton Woods.

Ainsworth, who had tied 1st at the semi final, was crowned 2011 Gtour Race to Cyprus Champion in what was his first season taking part in the Gtour. After his win Ainsworth said 'Coming into the event I hadn't expected much from my game but took a relaxed approach which paid dividends as I started to strike the ball really well. I was surprised that the points kept stacking up and over joyed to find myself out in front and crowned 2011 champion at the end.'

He added 'I've throughly enjoyed my first season on the Gtour, taking part in a relaxed but competitive series of events with a great bunch of competitors. The atmosphere at the semi final was amazing and the Grand final at Aphrodite Hills was first class.'

Aphrodite Hills proved a fitting venue for the final, taking place on the magnificent 18-hole championship golf course, spreading over 6,299 metres. Ainsworth was hotly pursued by Graham Miles and Ian Huxford who finished 2nd and 3rd with the 2009 and 2010 Gtour Champion Shane Davies back in 9th place.

Tournament Director Colin Astbury said 'All the team at Gtour would like to congratulate Colin on his win in Cyprus this week, he is a very deserved winner having played consistently throughout 2011 and having also finished joint 1st at the Semi Finals in November.'

Business Development Director of Aphrodite Hills Resort, Andreas Vasiliou commented after the event 'I am delighted that for the first time we had the opportunity to host the grand final of the Gtour Race to Cyprus at our wonderful Aphrodite Hills Cyprus. I was able to witness the excitement and happiness of the players taking part. Congratulations to the winner.’

The players were also joined by 2011 Gtour sponsor Aegean Airlines who provided transportation to the Grand Final. Victoria Bray, Aegean Airlines commented 'Sponsoring the Gtour Race to Cyprus this year has given Aegean fantastic exposure and the opportunity to promote the new London Heathrow - Larnaca route to the specialist golf travel market and beyond. The final at Aphrodite Hills was organised and executed superbly from start to finish and it was great to be a part of the 2011 Gtour Race to Cyprus.'

With the 2011 season now complete Astbury commented 'We would like to thank all the players that took part throughout 2011 and of course the many companies that have supported us and our players during the season. Especially the team at The Cypriot Tourist Board, Aphrodite Hills Resort, Aegean Airlines, Bunker Mentality and Srixon for providing accommodation, travel, clothing and equipment plus also Devere Venues, Exclusive Hotels and Moor Allerton GC for hosting our 2011 qualifiers. '

For more information visit: www.gtour.co.uk

Keith Hornby, a Pleasington legend, dies at 73

KEITH Hornby, a past president of the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs, died last night at the age of 73 following a long battle with cancer.

He was described as a legend by his club Pleasington which he joined 59 years ago, winning the scratch medal on eight occasions spread over five decades.

Hornby was such a successful player that his name appears 25 times on the club’s honours boards.

He was the only member since the First World War to serve as captain twice – in 1984 and in centenary year 1991. Sadly, he completed his term of office as club president at last Thursday’s annual meeting where he was made a life member.

Hornby, who worked in the paper and packaging industry until his retirement, won 33 of his 63 matches for the county between 1965 and 1983 and was elected president in 1993.

The following year he won the Lancashire Seniors’ Championship at Worsley, having finished runner up in the County Championship at Fairhaven in 1975.

He also captured the East Lancashire Golf Association Harold Ryden Trophy twice, at Burnley in 1969 and Wilpshire in 1977. Keith was also Lancashire County captain from 1980-82.

Hornby is survived by his wife and two daughters.

South Staffordshire 2012 Opens

The seven open events at South Staffordshire Golf Club are already filling up, so don't delay if you want to sample this excellent course at it's best under competition conditions.

Tournaments run from June through to September with a variety of formats available.

The first event is the annual Seniors Team Open which will be held on Wednesday 13th June in 2012. Due to the popularity there are only tee-times left before 11am now and these are expected to be snapped up quickly. It's an Am-Am Stableford for men and ladies costing £100 per team of four.

Additional competitions take place in September for senior golfers. The Seniors Mixed Pairs Open takes place on Sunday 9th September and at £50 per couple (including a buffet) this Fourball Betterball Stableford is always one of the most popular in the Midlands.

The Gents Senior Pairs Open is played later in the month on Thursday 20th September. It's also a Fourball Betterball Stableford and is open to golfers aged 60+ with a handicap of 24 or less. Entry is £50 per pair including food.

The Ladies Team Open on Tuesday 10th July is another popular competition. The 3-Ball Alliance Stableford has an entry-fee of £42 per team and has a handicap limit of 35.

The annual Mixed Pairs Open on Sunday 17th June is another that attracts a large field. It's a Fourball Betterball Stableford costing £50 per couple and includes a buffet.

One of the highlights of the year at South Staffs is the Vardon Bowl - an individual strokeplay championship held on Sunday 23rd September this year. Open to men with a maximum handicap of 18 this keenly contested competition has both gross and nett prizes and for £30 also includes food - great value!

Finally the Junior Open takes place on Thursday 2nd August. Entry is £10 per person for this individual strokeplay event whilst there is the option to enter as a team of three at no additional cost (players must be from the same club).

About South Staffordshire

The South Staffordshire golf course was originally designed in 1908 by one of the famous triumvirate, Harry Vardon, and over the years has been ‘tweaked’ by such golfing luminaries as Harry Colt, James Braid and, more recently Donald Steel. It is considered by many to be one of the finest courses in the Midlands.

Set in 160 acres, the 6587 yard par 71 course is maintained to the highest of standards and possesses a series of interesting and challenging holes, including no fewer than six par four holes of over 400 yards from the Medal Tees, contributing to a standard scratch of 72 and demanding a mixture of skill and imagination to play them well.

The Clubhouse offers very comfortable surroundings where you can relax before or after a round of golf, including lounge bar, spike bar and terrace, television lounge and restaurant all of which enjoy the splendid view over the 1st and 18th holes and the countryside beyond.

Visitors are made more than welcome with players returning each year to compete in the popular open competitions.

Seniors Open at Crane Valley

The Seniors Open Championship at Crane Valley Golf Club take place later this year.

Open to players over 55 years of age this popular competition will take place on Wednesday 5th September 2012.

Early entry is essential to secure a place in this Individual Stableford event. The maximum handicap allowance is 18 although players with higher handicaps may enter but must play off 18.

Your day will include coffee on arrival with optional food available to purchase all day. The cost of entry is excellent value at just £16 per person.

About Crane Valley

Designed by renowned golf architect Donald Steele, the open and undulating course at Crane Valley, is set across 6,412 yards with neatly placed bunkers and water hazards. Each hole is unique, offering a demanding, challenging and idyllic setting.

The River Crane meanders around the par 3 6th and par 4 11th. The short sixth is one of the most picturesque in the area and requires an accurate approach shot to the green.

The 15th green and 16th tee provide panoramic views of the course and surrounding Dorset countryside with the 18th presenting one final challenge.

The majestic Valley course is a challenge for the best golfer yet not too demanding to spoil the average golfer's walk through this beautiful part of the Dorset countryside.

Hampshire PGA Annual Dinner

The 61st Hampshire PGA Annual Dinner takes place at Royal Winchester Golf Club on Friday 24th February.

Having been held at the Polygon, the Guildhall and St. Mary's Stadium for many years the Annual Dinner is now going 'on the road' with future venues to include Basingstoke Golf Club and Rowlands Castle Golf Club.

With the Annual Dinner now 'Coming to a Golf Club near you' the Hampshire PGA hopes to attract Guests who have never previously attended what is the highlight of the local social golfing calendar.

The evening includes the Annual Dinner Draw and entertainment provided by Hampshire PGA Captain Eddy Rawlings and Shep Woolley.

This year's event also includes an optional Annual Dinner Golf Tournament. Guests can compete for some fabulous prizes in the 9 hole stableford tournament.

Ticket price is £40.00 for the Dinner and £50.00 for Golf & Dinner.

If you like to attend please contact your Club Professional or the Hampshire PGA.