Sussex County Golf Ltd
SENIORS 6 MAN QUALIFIER AT HEYTHROP PARK
This week six players represented Sussex Seniors at the annual England Golf, South- Eastern Group Seniors Qualifier for the National Championships to be held at Torquay. The eleven counties of SE Group competed for the right to go on to the National County Finals which Sussex Seniors won in 2021. Sussex were represented by Doug Park (Cooden Beach), Steve Graham (East Sussex National), Martin Galway (Pyecombe), Andrew Smith (Royal Ashdown Forest), Jim Banting (West Sussex)and Andy Main (Mannings Heath).
BB&O hosted this event at Heythrop Park. The course is a challenging test of golf with firm quick greens which proved demanding for all players reflected in many of the scores. The Sussex Seniors Team were keen to qualify again this year having missed out by a small margin in 2022 and 2023.
After the first round Sussex were only 4 shots off the lead. Andy Main returned the best round of the day form all players with a level par 72. All to play for on Day 2. The second round was played in a very hot conditions on a course that is a challenging walk with many elevation changes.
Steve Graham returned an excellent 73 to be 4th overall (out of 66 players), Andrew Smith and Jim Banting played very consistent golf across both rounds to finish tied 14th. Despite the good play, the hosts BB&O finished as winners and will go to the National Finals to represent SE Group. Sussex were in second place by only five shots. Over ten counting scores that is a very narrow margin indeed.
As always, thanks to all the Seniors Players for their hard work and commitment throughout. The team spirit and support is always outstanding. Our thanks also to Malcolm Cawte (Selsey) and Andy Barnes (Pyecombe) for travelling to help and support the team.
Rick Thomas
Paul Plant
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