OGC News

In a keenly contested final, Liam Phipps took the title for the second time with a 3 & 2 victory over Joe Macilwraith. Liam was 3 up after 16 holes in the morning and 4 under par but bogeys at 17th and 18th reduced the deficit to one at the break.

Wins at 6th and 7th gave Joe a glimmer of hope but a birdie at 9 meant Liam turned 2 up. A birdie at 12th from Joe was followed with another 3 putt at 13th......with the next two holes halved in par, the inevitable came at 16th when both players pushed their tee shots towards the trees and Liam won the hole

The match was played in the right spirit and both lads were a credit to our golf club.

Charles Haynes - Professional

Joe Macilwraith our Warwickshire amateur champion has experienced mixed fortunes in the last week. At the Berkshire trophy one of the elite amateur events in the uk Joe produced a career best 8 under par return for the 72 hole tournament. With a round on each of the red par 72 and blue par 71 followed by a cut to forty and ties and two more rounds on the red course, Joe shot rounds of 1 over 73 followed by a brilliant 5 under par 66 to easily beat the level par cut mark. He then completed a 3 under par 69 and a final round 1 under 71. To finish in a very credible 8th position. He then attempted to qualify at the regional qualifying tournament for the Open championship on Monday at the Kedleston Park Golf Club missing out by 1 shot when his 1 under par round of 69 was knocked out of the 11 spots available by the last putt on the last green. Well done and bad luck Joe.

Charles Haynes

On Wednesday 12^th June, in rather damp and dank conditions after almost 24 hours of rain, the ladies arrived for the Championship perhaps expecting a postponement!

This was not the case and, with thanks to Mark and his team, the course was in great condition for our 9am start and the Championship commenced.

All ladies completed the 36 holes in reasonably dry conditions and at 6pm when Lady Captain Christina was presenting the trophies, the heavens open once again.

Congratulations must to go all ladies who took part but especially to our Lady Club Champion Mrs Hilary Dixon with a 169 (gross) Close on her heals in second place was our Lady Captain Christina.

Winner of the Nett Competition was Mrs Yvonne Gregory with a 142 closely followed by Mrs Wendy McIntyre.

Mrs Susan McKenna had the best back nine with 45 gross.

Another good day for Olton Ladies.

On Thursday 6^th June 27 teams took part in our first Open of the year.

The majority of the golfers were from visiting clubs and the sun shone for most of the day. A short shower towards the end of play did not dampen the great spirit in which the competition was played.

At close of play Lady Captain Christina thanked the organisers of the competition Dianne Corless and Gill Creed and everyone who had helped to make the day a success. Christina then presented the prizes to the winners

In 1^st place on count back with 72 points were Norma Young and Alison Isacs (both Olton) with Judy Turner (Ladbrook)

2^nd  Jeannie Morrison (Olton) with Julia Chambers and Brenda Harris (both Ladbrook)

With 71 points in 3^rd place were Wendy McIntyre (Olton) with Jen Grimstone (Coventry) and Val Barker (Shirley).

A good day for Olton Ladies.

Saturday 25^th May saw Olton Golf Club’s first major of the year, the Birkett Barker Trophy, the first part of the Presidents Salver with the second part, the Birkett Barker Shield, in late July. 

A field of 56 players took to OGC’s magnificently presented course for two rounds of 18 holes.  The weather was very kind to all with conditions perfect for such a day. First round leader on count back was Phil Haine with a great score of Net 69.  The morning conditions must have been the best as there were 16 players within 2 shots of the lead.  The afternoon was little different with many players tiring, but the best round of the day goes to Gary Parker with a great net score of 66.  However, congratulations go to new boy of 8 months, Anthony Murray, with two round score of Net 69 & 68 totalling 137, a lead of 4 shots.  His handicap has been suitably cut!

Well done Anthony. 

Andy Watkinson

Hon Match Secretary