Ray Lowe Order of Merit Prize giving

Article by Andre Austin:

REUBEN MAHY TROPHY & CINCINATTI CUP - FANTASTIC END OF SEASON COMPETITION AS RAY LOWE ORDER OF MERIT CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED

We had the biggest field of the season for the Reuben Mahy Trophy and Cincinatti Cup on Sunday with 31 players competing, testament to the strength of junior golf in Guernsey. This included 13 players in the blue tee category featuring a number of players on debut. Evan Le Huray, Anna and Lucy Tee, Edward Morgan and Jake Ward all played competive golf for the first time. It was by the far the biggest field we’ve seen in the blue category and credit to the work of the professionals around the island, parents and volunteers and the work of the Guernsey Sports Commission and Ray Lowe Sporting Foundation in funding the golf in schools programme introducing a whole new generation to the game.

In the Reuben Mahy Trophy there was all to play for with a number of white tee players in contention to win the Ray Lowe order of merit. Thomas Chamberlain has enjoyed another excellent season but he’s also faced some tough challenges along the way that have tested his character and resilience. Buoyed by an excellent showing at the Hampshire Championships, he produced one of his best performances of the season to win the Reuben Mahy Trophy and in doing so leapfrog the competition to win the order of merit. His round of 88 gross for 34 points included a birdie at the third. Thomas was the nearly man last season and it was great to see his talent, hard work and great play rewarded this year. Many congratulations to a worthy champion.

Runner up on the day and in the order of merit was Jayden Tucknott, another fine display in what has been a quite remarkable season. Next season can’t come soon enough for one of the brightest talents in Guernsey golf.

In the red tee Cincinatti Cup the scoring was quite remarkable with no less than 8 of the 10 players beating their handicap. Ollie Farmer was the winner with one of the rounds of the season firing a brilliant 79 gross for 46 points which included birdies at the 1st and 9th as he was out in 39. It was a milestone for Ollie breaking 80 for the first time. He is a superb ball striker and a wonderful talent and will be a player to watch next season as he moves on to the white tees.

Runner up with 44 was Gus Carre. Gus has put a huge amount of work into his golf this season and this was a phenomenal round which included 12 pars, 8 of which were on the back nine. Gus won twice this season a fantastic effort and will take plenty of confidence into next year.

The winner of the red tee order of merit for 2023 was Josh Neville. He had an outstanding season winning five times and was also runner up five times. He played golf of the very highest quality along the way and will no doubt be a formidable challenger next year. In the meantime many congratulations to him on a quite brilliant season.

Runner up in the red tee order of merit was Ollie Farmer who made it close in the end with his superb victory on Sunday.

In the blue tee category Evan Le Huray had a debut to remember scoring 31 points, a quite astonishing display. Evan is a graduate of the golf in schools programme and is coached by our team at the Royal Guernsey Golf School and Golf Shop. We look forward to seeing more of this talented young player in the future.

Runner up also on debut was Edward Morgan with a super round of golf scoring 28 points matched by another debutant Lucy Tee who had a day to remember. Eleven of the thirteen players beat their handicap.

Luke Adcock was the runaway winner of the inaugural blue tee order of merit winning four times. Big hitting Luke has had a summer to be proud of and will be one to watch in the red tee category which promises to be fiercely competitive next year.

Runner up was Mary-Ann Waterton who has been an absolute stalwart of blue tee junior golf this year. She has put in some wonderful displays particularly early on in the summer and always with a smile on her face, congratulations to her on a great season.

After the competition the players were hosted in the clubhouse and thank you to our catering team for looking after everyone. MC Mick Marley did a great job and was joined by Karen New and Jenny Nicolle from the Ray Lowe Sporting Foundation to present the prizes. The contribution to junior golf from the foundation over the last few years has been simply outstanding. It has enabled a whole new generation of players to be introduced to our great game, helped more advanced players develop their games both on an off island as well as providing a season long competition that would be the envy of any junior county in the UK. We can’t thank them enough and particularly Geoff Troop who steps down at the end of this year but has created a legacy in junior golf in Guernsey that he and the foundation can be immensely proud of. He will be sorely missed.

Congratulations

to all the players, competitors, professionals, our fantastic Director of Golf Mr Lindsay Boyd and management team, parents, volunteers, and sponsors who made this a season to remember. We look forward to seeing everyone at our presentation evening on 17th November.

LGM : End of Season Competition

LA GRANDE MARE END OF SEASON COMPETITION

The penultimate event in the Ray Lowe Order of Merit took place in perfect conditions at La Grande Mare on Sunday.

Shay Goddard notched up his first win on the west coast, another incredible achievement in his first season in golf. Shay was only three over after 14 holes and despite a difficult finish, held on to secure victory with 35 points. Runner up was Dan Troop with a solid round of golf.

In the red tee competition, Rory Clarke was the only player under par nett with a fantastic 41 points to take his third win of the season. Josh Neville was runner up, just ahead of Hugo Allen.

There was the biggest field of the season in the blue tee competition with nine players which is a huge credit to the the professionals around the Island for encouraging the children to get involved. The scoring was incredible with Xavier Allen storming to victory with 27 points. Runner up was Luke Evans with a brilliant 23 points and Luke Adcock was third.

The final competition of the season, the Reuben Mahy Trophy and Cincinatti Cup are on the 25th September. The white tee order of merit looks to be a shootout between Jayden Tucknott and Lewis Marley but there are a number of other players in the mix who could have something to say about it.

In the red tee competition Josh Neville is out of sight after yet another superb season but there is still plenty to play for. Meanwhile in the blue tee competition Luke Adcock is also out of sight after a brilliant debut season but the last event is likely to be very competitive.

LGM Junior Competition

OLLIE CHEDHOMME WINS THE HAMPSHIRE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

OLLIE CHEDHOMME WINS THE HAMPSHIRE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Ollie Chedhomme became the first Guernsey player to win the Hampshire Junior Boys Championship since Peter Wilcox in 1978 with a brilliant victory at Lee on Solent yesterday. The par 69 course offered a great test with fantastic greens and particularly demanding back to back par threes on the back nine. Playing in the last group, Ollie was drawn with home favourites Harvey Denham and Harrison Price, both formidable players with Denham off +4. In the morning round Ollie carded an excellent level par 69 gross which included six birdies and found himself in joint first place after the first round. With two other players a shot back, it was all set up for a fantastic finish and it didn’t disappoint. Ollie got off to a fast start in the afternoon and was two under after three and was looking like he was starting to take charge. However a run of four consecutive bogeys threatened to de-rail his championship. He kept his head though and showed great resilience to fight back. Ollie was trailing Rowlands castle’s James Plater by a shot as they came down the stretch but he hit trouble on the 17th when his ball plugged in a bunker. Ollie hit an excellent tee shot on the same hole which just trickled off the green leaving him a tricky up and down. He was unfortunate to make a bogey and when he stepped on the 18 he was completely unaware of the situation at the top of the leaderboard. He then proceeded to hit a tremendous tee shot leaving him 118 yards into the green from the semi rough. He flighted a superb 50 degree wedge which spun back to seven feet. Although he didn’t know it, the putt was for the championship and he calmly proceeded to slot it in the middle of the cup to much to the delight of the watching Guernsey support. It was the biggest victory of Ollie’s career and fitting that in his last junior event he leaves as a county champion. His 36 hole total of 141 (+3) included ten birdies but it was his temperament that was just as impressive as his brilliant play. He can proudly add his name to the list of past winners that includes Justin Rose and Richard Bland - an outstanding achievement.

Guernsey had eleven players in the championships and our juniors secured four top ten finishes in the main event highlighting the strength in depth of junior golf on the island. Tanner Austin was the next highest Guernsey player in 6th courtesy of a fantastic 70 gross (+1) in the second round which was the lowest score in the field in the afternoon. Just behind him was Rory Mckenna with Conor Mckenna in 9th.

In the u13 championships our youngest players performed brilliantly. Alex Mills shot a superb 81 to win the second gross prize with a great round of golf. Thomas Chamberlain had a great day shooting the third best gross score of 83 resulting in winning the nett prize with a 66. Both boys have been in the Hampshire development squad this season and will have been sure to impress the Hampshire selectors for next season with their outstanding performances. A major junior event would not be complete without Lewis O’Brien showcasing his wonderful talent and he was at it again plotting his way around the course superbly to win runner up nett in his category and finish 8th gross.

It was an incredible championship courtesy of the great team at Hampshire Golf at a wonderful venue. Huge congratulations to Ollie on an outstanding win and to all the Guernsey players. Every single one of them played amazing golf at times and they were an absolute credit to the game on the island. Finally a big thank you to Ray Lowe Sporting Foundation and Appleby for their immense support of junior golf, and to the GGU and Sports Commission.

SHAY SPARKLES AND JAYDEN SHOOTS THE LIGHTS OUT ON ANOTHER EXTRAORDINARY DAY FOR JUNIOR GOLF

Just when we thought we’d seen everything in an incredible season, the gift that is junior golf kept on giving today in extraordinary fashion in the St Julian’s cup.

First of all we had another hole in one. Noah Davy who recently got down to single figures for the first time holed out on the 7th with an 8 iron for his very first ace.

Then Shay Goddard who has only been playing golf for 9 months, fired an outstanding 76 gross to finish with 41 points. He was out in 43 with a birdie at the 8th and came home with a sensational score of 33 on the back nine with birdies at the 13th, 16th and 18th to win the junior prize. Shay’s golfing story is nothing short of remarkable and he does it all with a calmness and easy going manner that makes him a pleasure to be around and an absolute credit to the club. This will be his only year in the juniors but what a year, and we can’t wait to follow his golfing journey.

As for Jayden Tucknott, you simply can’t keep him out of the headlines. ‘Mr Golf’ seems to push the envelope every week but today he reached a whole new level with an astonishing round of golf. Jayden shot a scintillating five under par 65 to storm to victory in the scratch prize and in the process beat his personal best by four shots and equal the lowest round at L’ancresse this season. He was out in 32 with a birdie at the 5th, an eagle at the 6th and then another birdie at the 8th. He then came home in 33 in spectacular fashion with three back to back birdies. We’re running out of superlatives to describe this young man’s golf this season but we are all incredibly proud of him, many congratulations Jayden on yet another brilliant day on the course.

NOAH’S ACE

NOAH’S ACE

Congratulations to Noah Davy who had a hole in one on the 7th today in the St Julian’s Cup. It was Noah’s first ace and the club used was an 8 iron

CHLOE DOMAILLE AND CONOR MCKENNA ARE CROWNED JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONS

Conditions were superb for the junior club championships today and the golf was of the very highest quality.

Four girls contested the junior girls championship with Jennie Ballay making a welcome return and Ellie Blondel competing in the event for the first time. The quality of the golf was outstanding with Chloe Domaille enjoying a great battle with friend and rival Chloe Gaudion. There was just one shot in it at the turn with Chloe Gaudion out in 39 with six pars and Chloe Domaille out in 40 making a great birdie at the 9th to close the gap. It was on the back nine where Chloe Domaille really stepped up her game. A birdie at 13 was followed by a birdie at the 16th and a par at the 18th meant she was home in 37 for a brilliant 77 gross which meant victory in the scratch competition and overall. After a tough weekend at the inter insular last week Chloe bounced back in style today and showed the quality golfer that she is - many congratulations on a much deserved win. Chloe Gaudion too had much to be proud of, another round under 80 and a great fight back after a poor start to the back nine she came roaring back and was two under for the last four holes.

A special mention too to Ellie and Jennie. Ellie beat her handicap for the third round in a row in junior competition and had the second best nett score of the day with 39 points edging out Jennie on countback. Jennie had a sensational start and was three under gross after six holes. She added a further birdie at the 10th and finished up shooting 84 gross a fine effort after time away from competitive golf.

In the 36 hole boys competition Conor Mckenna won his first junior club championship with two magnificent rounds of golf. Conor has been in scintillating form in recent weeks and had an outstanding junior inter insular. In the first round he reached a major milestone breaking 70 for the first time in competition at L’ancresse with a superb 69 gross which featured birdies at the 6th and 17th. He backed it up in the afternoon with a wonderful level par round of 70 for a two round total of 139, one under par. Conor was out in 34 in the morning and did the same in the afternoon. Without question he is one of the finest putters in Island golf but his ball striking today was truly exceptional too. It was a popular and richly deserved win and highlighted what many of us have known for a long time, when he is playing at this level he is in the very top tier of golfers on Guernsey.

Runner up was Ollie Chedhomme who can count himself very unlucky to shoot level par over 36 holes which included seven birdies and come away empty handed. His consolation was a fine 69 in the afternoon and he is in great form ahead of the men’s inter insular.

Conor’s brilliant display was also good enough to top the nett leaderboard just ahead of Noah Davy. Noah shot a fine 77 gross in the morning to equal his best score to date. He was out in 36 with a birdie at the 8th and showed great resilience to come back after a quadruple at the 11th making an excellent birdie at the 16th. Single figures beckons for this fast improving player and he is very much one to watch next season.

Third in the nett competition was young Ollie Farmer making his debut in white tee competition. Ollie has been working incredibly hard ahead of the competition and after a shaky start hitting his first tee shot into the gorse, he then proceeded to hole out from 56 yards to make a great five and steady the ship. A round of 92 gross was more than respectable for the morning. However in the afternoon he showed all the skills that make him such an exciting prospect. He fired a brilliant 84 gross (nett 66) featuring a front nine of 40 which included a birdie at the 8th - a superb effort.

We’ve enjoyed some quite amazing days of junior golf this season but for sheer quality this was right up there. Well done to the winners and everyone who took part today and with plenty of junior golf still left this season it definitely isn’t over yet.

JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT TEAM SHINE IN INTER INSULAR

JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT TEAM SHINE IN INTER INSULAR

Guernsey took a four man junior development team for the first time to Jersey at the weekend to play against the reds. The Guernsey team of Noah Davy, Lewis O’Brien, Shay Goddard and Dan Troop played fourballs on Saturday followed by singles on Sunday off handicap.

The idea was to give the players a taste of playing in an inter insular on a new course to help prepare them for the fixture in the years ahead. The boys were a welcome and key part of the whole group at the weekend providing invaluable support to the first team and this support was reciprocated with the senior team cheering their fellow greens on when they finished their matches..

The standard of golf from the development team was of the very highest quality.

In the Saturday fourballs Noah Davy joined up with Dan Troop against Jacob Townsend and Chloe Cadoret. Dan very kindly stepped in as a last minute replacement for Max Raffray. He has been a stalwart of Junior golf on the Island as well as an excellent player for many years. The boys were giving away plenty of shots and it was always going to be tough for them but they played some fabulous golf. After looking to be down and out at the turn they went on an incredible run of three birdies in five holes down the stretch. Noah is developing into some player and has a fantastic short game to compliment a hugely improved long game. The greens dovetailed brilliantly and eventually secured a 1up victory which they thoroughly enjoyed.

In the second match super talented Shay Goddard joined up with the youngest player in the group, ten year old Lewis O’Brien. Shay enjoyed his start to the weekend with an eagle at the par five 6th during the practice round in the morning. They were up against Ben Carvalho and Aiden Wilson. Lewis was playing from the yellow tees which was a considerable step up for him off the tee. Rather than intimidate him, it simply inspired him, supported by his older team mate, he played stunning golf, regularly out driving his older opponents and showing an incredible touch on and around the greens. The greens won a great match 4&3 and Lewis was around 7 over par gross with his own ball, a stunning effort.

The singles matches on day two saw more superb golf from the development team. Noah Davy had another great day and was very impressive in his 4&3 win. Shay Goddard battled hard but went down 5&4. Meanwhile Dan Troop was having an extraordinary day. He was giving away plenty of shots but had to play out of his skin to secure a one up victory. He would have scored 44 points if he was playing stableford!

The last junior out was Lewis O’Brien. The Hampshire u12 star has become a talisman for the Guernsey Junior team. Everyone from both teams was out to watch his classic encounter with Aiden Wilson and we got a glimpse into inter island golf in the future. Aiden has got a wonderful swing and ball striking skills to match but Lewis stepped up and went to to toe with his older opponent. Both were hitting bombs and hit big drives down 17. Lewis made a stunning par with a brilliant lag putt from off the green much to the delight of the watching greens. He then kept his composure to close out the match on the 18th for the most popular win of the weekend and a comprehensive win for the greens with only one loss in the whole series.

The addition of the development teams was a great success and we look forward to the same format again next year.

HISTORIC WIN FOR GUERNSEY IN JUNIOR INTER INSULAR

HISTORIC WIN FOR GUERNSEY IN JUNIOR INTER INSULAR

The Guernsey junior golf team won the Junior inter insular at La Moye for the first time since 1991 after a hard fought battle in the singles today.

Guernsey led 3-1 overnight and Conor Mckenna was chosen by Team Manager Mick Marley to lead the team out against Jersey Captain Ben Shield. The Jerseyman would have fancied his chances after winning his fourball match yesterday but he was no match for Conor today who was in outstanding form and he got the first point for the greens with a 6&5 win.

In the second match Jayden Tucknott played Jersey star Anabelle Lucas Villar, the lowest handicap player for the reds. Anabelle made her intentions clear hitting a quality shot to the first and Jayden knew he had a tough fight on his hands. A classic game of matchplay followed between two of the best young players in the Channel Islands. It was nip and tuck all the way and after Anabelle birdied the 17th it could have gone the other way but Jayden kept his cool to secure a precious half.

Match 4 saw Lewis Marley against Jersey Junior Champion Ryan Hafey. Lewis fought really hard against Ryan who was on his home course but in the end he went down 5&4.

James Troop was the next Guernsey player to bring home a point. He enjoyed a brilliant day yesterday and was at it again today. He was trading holes on the front nine with fellow rising Hampshire Junior Star Ben Carnegie-Bedlow before going on a superb streak culminating in a comprehensive 6&5 victory.

Guernsey were now one point from victory and the pressure was on Captain Rory Mckenna who was playing Iman Hamid-Wilkinson. Having tasted defeat yesterday the skipper wasn’t going to let it happen again and used all his experience and class to gain the upper hand against a quality opponent. On the 16th Rory had a putt for eagle to win the junior inter insular and he duly delivered, rolling the ball in the middle of the hole to win 3&2 and ensure Guernsey had regained the trophy.

There were three remaining matches out on the course and credit to Jersey they all went their way. Tanner Austin gave it his all but was fighting his swing all morning and came up against an inspired Nathan Crake-Jones. The match ended with a sporting concession from Tanner on the 18th and he lost by one hole. Jamie Trebert again played some excellent golf but his opponent Oliver Allchin was on fire today and eventually won 2&1. The last Guernsey player out was Chloe Domaille and she fell to defeat by Nic Lawrenson who was unstoppable today. He was one under par when they shook hands on the 12th. Chloe gave it everything as always and will be a key member of the ladies inter insular team in a few weeks.

So it was a thoroughly deserved victory to Guernsey with the final score 6.5 - 5.5.

Well done to Jersey who were always going to come back strong after a heavy defeat in the fourballs. With the majority of players on both sides still juniors next year, the 2023 inter insular promises to be a mouth watering clash in Guernsey. The match was played in great spirit with the encouragement players from both sides giving their opponents a pleasure to see.

Junior Captain Rory Mckenna lifted the trophy and the team picked up their medals. Team Manager Mick Marley made an excellent speech thanking Derek de La Haye and his team, our Jersey and La Moye hosts for their hard work and hospitality, words that were echoed by Captain Rory Mckenna when he spoke. Mick can be incredibly proud of his hard work and seeing his team bring the trophy home, a lovely reward for a Guernsey golfing legend.

A big thank you to the GGU, Lynne Coutanche for her support and Geoff Troop for his great work over the years that has helped get this fixture going again and for keeping parents updated with the matches and providing some great photos.

Also a special mention to Harry Bushby and Dan O’Brien who travelled over at their own expense to support the team. Harry kept our club social media channels updated and both provided invaluable support to the juniors which was absolutely vital this weekend and they will be a big part of junior golf on the island for many years to come.

A big thank you to the sponsors Ray Lowe Sporting Foundation and Appleby their investment in junior golf on the Island is essential.

It was a pleasure to be around all the juniors this weekend, we have a group of incredibly talented young golfers on the island who are always striving to be better. A great example of this is that having just won a historic inter insular after an exhausting weekend a number of the group were organising a range session at L’ancresse as soon as the plane landed back in Guernsey this evening.

The future of golf in the Island is in great hands

JUNIOR INTER INSULAR - GUERNSEY LEAD 3-1 AFTER FIRST DAY

JUNIOR INTER INSULAR - GUERNSEY LEAD 3-1 AFTER FIRST DAY

Guernsey brought the heat on a scorching hot day at La Moye for the first day of the junior inter insular.

Guernsey Junior Captain Rory McKenna had the honour and struck a solid tee shot just to the left of the first green. He was playing alongside Chloe Domaille against Ben Shield and Ben Carnegie-Bedlow. It was a close battle for much of the front nine. Chloe hit one of the best shots of day on the par three 12th, striking a beautiful iron in to ten feet and holing a rapid right to left downhill putt for birdie. Unfortunately Guernsey lost the next hole and started to lose momentum, Ben Shield was playing some superb golf to keep them at bay. Rory hit a colossal drive on the 16th but needed a birdie to stay in match which he just missed and that meant the greens had lost the first match 2&1.

In the second match Conor Mckenna and Tanner Austin took on Jersey junior champion Ryan Hafey and Iman Hamid-Wilkinson. Conor got off to a great start hitting his opening shot to eight feet and although he missed the putt, a three was good enough to go one up. He then birdied the 4th and the good golf continued with Tanner holing a 10 foot putt for eagle on the 6th. Conor was in superb form and after holing a 45 foot bomb on the 9th, Guernsey were in total control. The end was in sight and they duly closed out the match 5&4 to put the first points on the board for the greens.

In the third match Jayden Tucknott and Lewis Marley took on La Moye Ladies course record holder Annabelle Lucas-Villar and Oliver Allchin. The boys came flying out of the blocks and were simply unstoppable on the day. They were five up after 6 with Lewis rolling in a superb putt for eagle on the 6th. A further birdie followed from Lewis on the 9th and there was nothing Jersey could do to stop them. Jayden didn’t put a foot wrong and with the boys level par betterball the end came with a crushing 7&5 victory.

The final match saw Jamie Trebert partner James Troop against Nic Lawrenson and Oliver Allchin. After an unscheduled delay due to having to allow a club fourball match through between the matches, it was a nervy wait for the boys. Open Championship winner Jamie kept his cool and hit a wonderful tee shot to 15 to get off to a great start. The Guernsey boys were two up after three after an incredible up and down from James for par on the third. It then became something of a ding dong battle with the four trading holes. Into the back nine the Guernsey pair were down and then James dropped a monster 50 foot putt from off the green on 13 only for the boys to lose the next hole. The match was getting tense but the Guernsey team stayed in the moment, James was putting beautifully and Jamie was backing him up. The match then took a dramatic turn on the 16th. With Jersey in the hole for par, James then sank a beautiful putt for birdie and all of a sudden the greens were one up. On the 17th Jamie and Nic hit huge drives but were unable to capitalise. James found the green with a solid second and to his credit Nic Lawrenson made a fantastic par which he must have thought would have kept the game alive. Up stepped that man James again to sink another birdie putt and it was all over 2&1 for a brilliant and important win.

It was an excellent day for the young greens but it’s far from over and all to play for on day two