NGL Magazine - October 2022

Issue 16:

October 2022

Home life helps Charley triumph

LEADING County professional Charley Hull has thanked her coaching team, family and friends
back at home after returning to the winner’s circle on the LPGA Tour for the first time since 2016.

The 26-year-old, who plays most of her golf in the USA but still lives in Northamptonshire, was
successful in The Ascendant LPGA in Texas after shooting rounds of 67, 64, 71 and a closing 64.

Hull (pictured) admitted: “I putted well - I rolled it very well. I did feel I left a couple of birdies out
there because on 15 and 16 I hit it close and they just went over the hole, but I hit some good strokes.

“I felt confident because I’ve been working hard on that with my putting
coach (Northampton GC professional) Nick Soto, so it’s been good.

“I feel in a good place off the golf course, I’ve surrounded myself
with positive people and I think that has helped.

“At home, I play off the back tees against the boys on tricky
golf courses, so when I come on tour the courses tend to be

a bit shorter, which can suit my game.

“I found it very scoreable. I was hitting my
irons well, so I wasn’t afraid of going
in with long irons. All my game came
together.

“I get bored if I don’t go after pins, and
if I get bored I don’t play as well.

“So I try to keep myself on my toes
and make a few birdies. I then find
it interesting and exciting, and

that’s when I usually
play my best golf.

“I enjoyed the
challenge, it’s
fun. It puts the
pressure on me
because it meant
I had to commit to
it - I really enjoyed

that.”

www.northantsgolf.co.uk 1

Hard work continues over winter months

Northamptonshire THANKS to all those who participated
Golf Limited in the county competitions during
2022. By taking part in the next level
Our purpose is to of golf, it tests your ability against
further the interests some of the best in the county - to
of amateur golf in see how good you really are.
Northamptonshire and
to provide guidance and With just the Am-Am to come at
assistance to all affiliated Northampton GC on October 28th,
Clubs within the County. it might appear that the county
organisation is now closing down for
President & Treasurer: the winter. Nothing could be further
Mr Jack Marr from the truth!

Vice President & The competition team, ably led by
Commercial Director: Marcel Aarts, have held their review
Mrs Catherine Tildesley meeting and made the changes
recommended or identified. The
Past President & Chairman: draws for next year’s leagues are
Mrs Kathryn Stronach complete, with all dates and venues to be finalised in the near future.

Competitions Director: Our team of Marcel, Chris Gore, Rosie Cullis, Catherine Tildesley,
Mr Marcel Aarts Kathryn Stronach and Alan Bosher give up many hours to ensure the
competitions run seamlessly for your enjoyment.
Director of Teams:
Men’s: Mr Ryan Genner Through the winter we have coaching sessions for the county team
Ladies: Mrs Claire Lindsay players and potential junior players. Claire Lindsay, Gill Snelson,
Alistair Heslop and Ryan Genner have programmes in place to
Director of Coaching ensure the teams are ready for next year. Supported by Emma
& Golf Development: Bazeley, Adam Print, John Gilding, Gary Hardy, Diane Amos, John
Harris and Katie Amos we thank them for their time and commitment.
Mr Michael Farr
Asy Ho will be busy organising next year’s junior diary. Having
Director of Junior Golf: under-18, 16 and 14 age groups involved in county and regional
Mr Asy Ho events means a lot has to be in place. After a very successful 2022,
we lose some top juniors to the adult ranks, but our newly-formed
EG Voting Member: junior coaching programme will ensure good continuity for the future.
Mr Ken Hignett
Protracted discussions with England Golf about their plans to develop
Honorary Secretary: the clubhouse and hotel at Woodhall Spa will continue. Ken Hignett,
Mr John Pearson our county voting member at England Golf, has the arduous task of
trying to make sense of their complex proposals.
Club Services:
Mr David Davis A thank you to all those directors, supporters and volunteers for giving
their time and resources so freely to ensure the continued success of
Safeguarding Officer: Northamptonshire Golf, including our Secretary John Pearson, Club
Mrs Sally Bingham Support Officer David Davis and Welfare Officer Sally Bingham.

Thanks also to our Ratings Team of Leader Paul Wikeley, Chris Gore,
John Harris, Ken Hignett, Barbara Hignett, Alan Bosher, Dave Wright,
Barry Hill, June Witcomb, Andy Anderson and Steve Byrom, plus our
referees David Goodrham, Robert Frost and Geoff Jacobs.

Clearly the Northamptonshire County organisation depends heavily
on their substantial contribution - for this, we kindly thank them all.

NGL President - Jack Marr

2 Northamptonshire Golf Ltd

Top 10 spot for Genner in England Final at Woodhall Spa

RYAN Genner (Overstone Park) finished in a respectable
tied 10th position in the England Champion of Champions at
Woodhall Spa GC, Lincolnshire on Sunday.

In a tournament reduced to 27 holes due to morning fog, the
2022 County Men’s champion (pictured below) carded a two-
over-par score for his opening nine holes, before smashing a
brilliant four-under-par 69 in the afternoon.

Alistair Heslop (Northants County), meanwhile, carded scores
of 81 and 79 to finish 21st in the Senior Men’s Champion of
Champions event, which was played over the full weekend.

Northamptonshire’s other representative, Joseph Hyde,
struggled to find top form the previous day as the Kettering
member (pictured right) compiled rounds of 79 and 80 to
finish 23rd in the Boys tournament.

Scoring also proved difficult for Northamptonshire’s
youngsters a few weeks later in the Midland Under 16 Boys
County Cup at Norwood Park GC.

Although the team of Jack Peters, Jadon Pham, Kai Raymond,
James Atwood, Harrison Panter and Ollie Penberthy never let
their heads drop, they were unable to discover their consistent
best as they finished 10th.

www.northantsgolf.co.uk 3

Peterborough top Scratch League

PETERBOROUGH Milton clinched the Men’s Scratch League Intermediate League
title for the first time since 2013 after recording three victories
and a draw in their last four fixtures of the campaign. KETTERING and Northampton
are hoping for a positive weather
Home wins against Northampton and defending champions forecast as they go head-to-head
Overstone Park put Milton in a position where one more in the re-arranged Intermediate
positive result in their last two away outings would guarantee League Final at Collingtree Park
top spot ahead of Northants County. GC on Sunday, October 30th.

A strong start in their penultimate match at Wellingborough The top two seeds, who were
enabled Peterborough to secure the title as points from Jacob initially supposed to meet on
Williams (pictured below), Ian Wicks, Adam Scott and Adam October 23rd before the match
Barker, plus a couple of halves, earned a 5-3 victory. was postponed due to heavy rain,
safely progressed through their
Milton, who have developed a string of talented young golfers last-four ties with Collingtree Park
in recent years, completed their season six days later by and Rushden respectively.
picking up a 4-4 draw at Northampton.
Kettering, who finished first in the
Wellingborough, meanwhile, dropped out of the top division for league format, had few problems
the first time in over a decade as they finished bottom with just getting the better of Collingtree
one win in their eight fixtures. at Northampton GC as points
from Stuart Bell, Mark Hastie,
Kettering will replace Wellingborough next year after finishing Lee Cobbold, Paul Wilson, Ben
first in the second tier with an impressive record of five wins Atherton and Nick Keech earned
from their six matches in 2022, including a 7½-½ victory against a 6-2 win.
second-placed Collingtree Park in their last home contest.
Northampton needed to show
The champions were unable to complete a perfect promotion more resolve in their clash with
campaign however as they lost their final match of the season Rushden at Collingtree Park GC
5-3 at Kingsthorpe. as they bounced back from losing
games one and two to secured a
Although the away points from Chris Brigstock, Ed Keech 5-3 victory.
and Chris Ward weren’t enough to secure victory, they did
ensure that Kingsthorpe finished below Cold Ashby on points James Brough and Nicholas
difference. Saker both recorded big wins,
while Gareth Parker triumphed
In the third division, Brampton Heath took full advantage of 3&2, but it was the one-hole
their games in hand in late season as they gained promotion. success from Tom Nickelson and
halves from Jonathan Thompson
The 4-2 home success against Daventry proved especially and Andrew Limbert in the last two
vital as they edged a single point in front of their closest rivals. games that made the difference
for the Harlestone club.

4 Northamptonshire Golf Ltd

Defending champions win again

KINGSTHORPE (pictured below) retained their Junior League
Handicap League crown with a 10-9 victory against
Kettering in the Final at Whittlebury Park GC. NORTHANTS County B (pictured above)
held their nerve in the Junior League
Steve Jackson and Elijah Woodward gave the reigning Final against Overstone Park B as they
champions the ideal start with a four-hole win, before edged a tight contest by a single point at
Kev Purkis and Dale Betts extended the lead by two. Wellingborough GC.

Anton Clarke and Ian Townsend added another two- Holly Macmain gave County, who were
hole victory for Kingsthorpe, before Paul Tupai and unbeaten going into the showpiece match,
Mark O’Neill strengthened the advantage when they the perfect start with an excellent 8&6 win,
took game four by a couple of holes. before Overstone’s Joshua Ho levelled
the overall score with a 4&3 success.
Kettering’s Nigel Hanger and Mark Brown secured the
penultimate tie by six holes, but Jack Murray and Kevin Oliver Golby gave County the advantage
McHenry’s three-hole success in the last game wasn’t with a 2&1 win, before Jack Meakin, who
enough to turn the overall scoreline around. is also a member at Wellingborough,
wrapped up the team victory by halving
Kingsthorpe and Kettering reached the final after the remaining game.
recording convincing last-four victories against Hellidon
Lakes and Overstone Park respectively. County B reached the final by beating
the County A team 3-1 on their home
A strong start was key to Kingsthorpe’s 14-3 win as track in the semi-finals, thanks to points
Dale Betts and Woodward (four holes) and Anton from Charlie Cannell, Oscar Robbins and
Clarke and Kev Purkis (four holes) took the opening Macmain.
couple of ties at Overstone Park GC.
Overstone Park B, who lost to the
Hellidon responded by winning games three and four, Overstone Park A team in last year’s
but their hopes of a stunning comeback were quickly final, booked another final place in
ended as Peter Botterill and O’Neill (three holes) and dramatic circumstances as they beat
Robert Tansley and Paul Botterill (three holes) clinched Peterborough Milton B in a sudden death
the last two matches. play-off after their last-four tie finished 2-2.

Kettering were also never behind once Sean Suddards Overstone’s Oliver Godwin, who had
and David Potter secured the opening tie by three earlier beaten Jacob Williams 4&3,
holes as they went on to enjoy a 11-1 success against maintained his good form to win the
Overstone Park at Kingsthorpe GC. overall match on the first extra hole.

Although Overstone took the second game, Kettering Freya Pickford was Overstone’s other
pulled further clear thanks to Andrew Wright and Asif winner, while Charlie Pearce and Isaac
Manji (two holes), Kim Davis and Rob Henbury (four Hedger were both successful for Milton,
holes) and Hanger and Brown (two holes). who reached the semi’s by topping Group
B with three wins and one draw.

www.northantsgolf.co.uk 5

Staverton retain Cecil Leitch crown with dramatic victory

STAVERTON Park’s ladies team clinched the NGL Cecil Leitch title for the second consecutive year
after they beat Wellingborough 3-2 in a thrilling final, which went to the last green in the last match,
at Northampton GC.
Although Claire Guest (Wellingborough) and Jane Clifford (Staverton) were both successful with
holes to spare, the contest remained in the balance as the middle three ties all went the distance.
Lema Townsend gave Wellingborough the advantage by taking the 18th hole, but Staverton (pictured
below) emphasised why they had won 14 of their previous 17 matches in the tournament over the
last two seasons.
With crowds gathering for the closing moments, the 2021 winners held their nerve down the last in
the other two games as Candice Jones and Elaine Loydall secured the vital points.
Ladies League
NORTHANTS County were crowned 2022 Ladies League champions with one match still to play
after making it four wins in four outings this season with a 4-0 victory against Peterborough Milton
at Northampton GC.
Points from Katie Amos (3&2), Louise Harte (2&1) and Mary Wetherly (3&1), plus a walkover win,
proved decisive for County as they moved clear at the top of the table.
Reigning champions Wellingborough could have extended the title race to the last week if they had
beaten Overstone Park on the same day, but they could only record a 2-2 draw.
Heavy rain prevented any play in the final round of fixtures at Elton Furze GC, as County’s match
with Wellingborough and Peterborough Milton’s contest with Overstone Park were both called off.

6 Northamptonshire Golf Ltd

Late Birdies ensure Farthingstone end with a Knockout

SAM Bird (pictured right) secured an
emotional victory in the NGLClub Champion of
Champions tournament as the Farthingstone
member earned a countback success from
on KO Finals Day at Wellingborough GC.

With his home club closing later this year,
Bird became the last Farthingstone golfer to
win a County individual trophy as the Scratch
handicapper edged out Collingtree Park’s
Jenson Parfitt thanks to birdies on the 16th
and 18th holes in a round of 76.

The Northamptonshire Ladies Club
Champion of Champions title went to
teenager Amy Nunn (pictured above) as a round of 86 earned a one stroke victory from Gill Hodgson.

Andrew Harrison and James Newton (Farthingstone) beat Adam Harris and Stephen Harris (Cherwell
Edge) in the Fourball final, but the Farthingstone Seniors team couldn’t complete a hat-trick of wins

for the Club as they lost to Overstone Park.

Wellingborough’s Jon Harris made the most of local knowledge to
defeat Jack Brown (Brampton Heath) in the County Men’s Matchplay
Championship Final, while Nick Tarlton (Kettering) won the
Handicap Singles Final against Daventry’s
James Berry.

In the Foursomes Final at Kettering
GC, the Rushden combination of
Jason Benzie and Ian Blakeley
(pictured left) came out on top against
Wellingborough’s Carl Hughes and

Mark Walker.

www.northantsgolf.co.uk 7

Who made history in the County Centenary Medal Final?

THREE more Northamptonshire Club members wrote their
names in County history as they claimed the top prizes in
their respective divisions of the second NGL Centenary
Medal Final at Peterborough Milton GC in mid-September.

Diane Ahearne came close to securing a home win in
the Ladies high-handicap category but a net 75 from the
Milton member left her one adrift of Kingsthorpe’s Lin
Birch (pictured right).

Joanne De Waele (Whittlebury Park) compiled an
excellent score of net 68 to clinch the Ladies mid-handicap
event by three strokes from Elizabeth Swan (Oundle).

The other section on the day also witnessed a three-shot
triumph as Ben Simpson (Rushden) compiled a net 72
in the Men’s high-handicap competition to finish clear of
Steven White (Kettering) and Jonathan Owen (Cherwell
Edge).

With the County celebrating its 100th year, the winners
of a series of club qualifiers were held for the right to
compete for glory in the Finals, with the first being held at
Wellingborough GC in late August.

NGL Seniors Pairs Open
DAVID Hawkins and Gary Smith (pictured right) were
once again the duo to catch in the NGL Seniors Pairs
Open as they clinched the title for the second consecutive
year at Brampton Heath GC.

The Northants County pair carded 10 net birdies in a total
of 44 points to finish two ahead of runners-up Staverton
Park’s Greg Young and Bill Marks.

Kingsthorpe’s Dale Betts, who finished third last year with
Bill Reynolds, claimed another podium spot alongside
new partner Mark O’Neill on 41.

NGL Izzard Trophy
DAVENTRY’S Jason Smith, Mark Craig and Tim Scull
(pictured right) clinched the NGL Izzard Team Trophy with
a combined tally of 108 points at Cold Ashby GC.

Second place went to the Kingsthorpe trio of Michael
Hares, Matteo Decaro and Andrew Lay on 107, with
County’s Rekash Mistry, Kenneth Stroud and Martin
Steers two points further adrift in third.

Home club member Paul White secured the top division
individual prize with 37 points, while Gary Jempson
(Kettering) and Richard Keith (Brampton Heath) led the
scoring in the mid and high-handicap categories on 39
and 35 points respectively.

8 Northamptonshire Golf Ltd

Irvine races to County Championship glory at Silverstone

ALISON Irvine (pictured right) was crowned
Northamptonshire Ladies Senior Champion for 2022
after winning the 18-hole competition at Silverstone
GC by five strokes.

The Northampton member carded a gross score of
77 to finish ahead of club-mate Lorraine Chadwick-
Colmer, with Wellingborough’s Gill Snelson a further
shot back in third.

Miriam Johnson (Wellingborough) clinched the net
prize with a 71.

The Tazza Trophy, which was competed for on the
same day at the same venue, went to Overstone
Park’s Gina Evans as an excellent tally of 42 points
earned her a comfortable win from Whittlebury’s Kay
Edwards (37).

NGL Ladies Bouverie Bowl

CHELSEY Sharp (pictured right) was a model of
consistency in the Ladies Bouverie Bowl as the
Peterborough Milton teenager carded an excellent
winning round of net 70 at Northants County GC.

Tracey Heavey (Whittlebury Park) finished one
stroke behind in second position, with Alison Shine
taking third prize on countback from fellow home club
members Sue Barrick and Sophie O’Brien on 72.

NGL Ladies Charity Medal

ELAINE Loydall (Staverton Park) clinched the Ladies
Charity Medal after beating 14 silver division golfers
from different Northamptonshire clubs with a round
of net 69 on her home course.

In an event when almost £500 was raised towards
Breast Cancer Now, Kingsthorpe’s Lesley Jaeger
claimed the honours in the bronze competition as
she held off the challenge of 11 entrants from 11
different County clubs with a net 71.

NGL Mixed Fourball Betterball

HOME advantage made the difference in the Mixed
Fourball Betterball tournament as Becki Scott and
Len Newell grabbed first prize on their own course
at Daventry GC.

The home club members (pictured right) needed
countback to secure the win after posting the joint-
leading score of 40 points with the Brampton Heath
duo of Tian Thomas and John Thomas.

Wellingborough’s Carol Gibbs and Rod Gibbs were
third on 39.

www.northantsgolf.co.uk 9

Double OOM success for youngsters Pham and Baker

JADON Pham (Overstone Park) and Molly-May Baker (Northants County) completed gross and net
doubles in the NGL Boys and Girls Order of Merits respectively after competing in the 2022 Grand
Final at Kettering GC.
Pham, who have been invited to attend an England squad trial this winter alongside county colleague
Jack Peters, was impressive in the last 18-hole event as he fired a one-under-par 68 to win the Grand
Final gross prize by four from County Boys champion Joseph Hyde (Kettering). The result extended
his lead at the top of the overall gross table to 15 points from runner-up Ben Atherton (Kettering).
Pham’s second place in the net category meant he finished six points clear in the net Order of Merit
from Overstone club-mate Josh Bodimeade, who smashed a Grand Final winning score of net 61.
Although Baker didn’t claim a podium spot in the Grand Final, the nine-handicapper’s solid
performance was enough to finish five and three points ahead of runner-up Emily Nunn (Overstone)
in the gross and net Order of Merit categories respectively.
Ellie Horsted (Peterborough Milton) carded the best girls gross round of 78, while Abi Kyle (Overstone
Park) edged out Edie Connolly (Collingtree Park) on countback in the net competition with a 70.
Delapre Park GC, meanwhile, witnessed a glimpse of the future as 23 very young talented golfers
took part in the inaugural Northamptonshire Wonders nine-hole tournament on the Oaks course.
In a competition for all boys and girls who have played in nine-hole Junior Opens in Northamptonshire
this year, Overstone’s James Miller led the scoring with a brilliant net 18 over the front nine.
Northampton’s Riley Hammond carded net 24 to finish runner-up in the Boys competition by two
shots from Collingtree Park duo Jake Goldsmith and Joshua Walker.
With the County Girls team selectors attending the event, home club member Harriett Szylwian was
successful in the Girls competition as a net 28 lifted her one clear of Connie Stonestreet (Overstone).
Noah McGimpsey (Collingtree) and Eloise McIntyre (Overstone) came out on top in the Boys and
Girls 150-yard competitions respectively.
All juniors who competed in the nine-hole qualifiers at Collingtree, Overstone, Northampton, Cold
Ashby, Peterborough Milton and Wellingborough, received a special prize for playing in the final.
Seb Welch (Delapre) was crowned 2022 Boys Nine-hole Order of Merit champion after winning half
the Opens this season, while Sophia Vanezi (Northampton) clinched the 2022 Girls Nine-hole title.

10 Northamptonshire Golf Ltd

Club Juniors emphasise their abilities on national stage

OVERSTONE Park’s juniors will represent
Northamptonshire in the Four Nations Final at
The Portal GC in Cheshire on October 27th
after winning the Midlands qualifier.

The line-up of Josh Ho, Jadon Pham, Giuseppe
Memoli, William Nunn, Freya Pickford and
Oliver Godwin (pictured right) combined to win
the regional event in Worcestershire.

Peterborough Milton, who qualified for the final
in 2020 and 2021, saw their hopes of a hat-
trick of appearances end in North East regional
qualifying at a windy Seaton Carew GC.

The team of Euan Herson, Kai Raymond, Jacob Williams, Charlie Pearce, Chelsey Sharp and
Rylan Thomas struggled to compete against sides with higher handicappers as they finished fourth.

Milton went into the event in confident mood after winning the 2022 BCCS Junior Team KO Final
against York at Staverton Park GC.

Despite giving away several strokes to their opponents, the Milton pairings of Pearce and Williams
in the opening tie and Herson and Raymond in the other game produced a string of birdies to secure
a three-hole team victory.

Peterborough progressed through to the final by edging past Childwall in a thrilling last-four contest,
which went to the final putt on the final green, the previous day.

Golf Sixes League makes successful return in Northamptonshire

OVERSTONE Park were successful in the 2022 Northamptonshire Golf Sixes League after winning
three of the five tournaments, involving Northants County and Peterborough Milton.

With the format of the league seeing juniors who are either pre-handicap or have a handicap of 37
or above playing pairs Texas Scramble over a shortened six-hole course, County and Milton were
successful in the opening two away competitions.

But Overstone came out on top in the next two events, once again at away venues, before becoming
the first team to win on their own course as they grabbed the overall plaudits in the final fixture, with
Milton finishing runners-up.

Golf Sixes Northamptonshire League Co-Manager Charles Gunn said: “Following an enforced
Covid break for the last two years, it was great to see the Golf Sixes League back on the County
calendar for our youngest golfers. Hopefully it will return again bigger and better next season.

“We would encourage all parents and
guardians of young golfers to talk to
your junior organisers and encourage
them to organise a squad to enter the
league next year.

“Golf Sixes really is a fantastic initiative
and has introduced some 5000 young
golfers to the game in leagues across
the country in 2022, long may it
continue.”

www.northantsgolf.co.uk 11

‘Membership: Give it a Shot’ campaign continues to grow

SINCE the England Golf launch in 2021, over 450
golf clubs, nationally, have accessed and utilised the
‘Membership: Give it a Shot’ campaign guides and toolkits,
looked at our exclusive offers from Players First and Golf
Marketing Hub, and received expert advice from our Club
Support Officer network.

This year, we are continuing our pledge to support the Northamptonshire Club Support
growth and maintenance of club membership, with a new Officer (CSO)
focus on driving more women and juniors into golf clubs.
David Davis
For more info, check out the updated playbook by clicking Contact Information:
www.englandgolf.org/give-it-a-shot. Mobile: 07702 913920
Email: [email protected]
Junior Membership Pathway

IS your club looking to boost its junior section and
encourage more young people to develop a love of golf?

As an extension of our successful ‘Membership: Give it a Shot campaign’ we are proud to roll out a
version to help develop your club’s junior membership pathway.

Many clubs are already doing amazing things to introduce youngsters to the game.

Below are a few ideas to start your club on the right path to growing the game for juniors or to help
develop existing programmes:

• Expand the range of junior and family membership categories.

• Increase junior coaching sessions with the introduction of both individual and group sessions.
• Offer junior specific short form competitions and activity days.

• Reach out to local schools with junior membership collateral.
• Look for ways to adapt or upgrade facilities to encourage practice as well as playing.

For more details on the junior resources available through the ‘Membership: Give it a Shot’ campaign,
click www.englandgolf.org/give-it-a-shot-juniors or contact David Davis.

Communicating With Children and Young People Online

SOCIAL media can be such a powerful and useful tool when it comes to communicating with
members of your club or others in the community.

Our Social Media Quick Guide has been developed Winter coaching for juniors
to help clubs and counties communicate safely and
appropriately with young people online. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Golf Ltd are
organising boys coaching sessions for the
The Quick Guide should be used to supplement Elite and Development squads over the
your existing social media policy - some examples winter months at Northants County GC, with
of the good practice this will contain are: County pros Adam Myers and Nick Soto.

• In general stick to group communications, copy the The Elite Squad sessions are on January
communication to a parent and only communicate 28th, February 15th and April 5th, while the
about organisational matters. Development Squad sessions are scheduled
for October 26th, November 12th, December
• Ensure that any content you place on a social 20th, February 16th, April 6th and April 29th.
networking site is age-appropriate.

• Do not use the site to criticise or abuse others.

• Do not accept children as contacts on social County girls coaching sessions will take
networking sites if you hold a position of trust with place, under the guidance of Claire Lindsay
children/young people. and her team.

12 Northamptonshire Golf Ltd

Midlands Order of Merit title goes to consistent Lilly

SIMON Lilly capped a memorable season by clinching the 2022 PGA Midlands Order of Merit after
carding a course record second round 61 at Sapey Golf & Country Club whilst finishing third in the
Midlands Professional Championship.

Lilly’s consistency throughout the year proved vital as the Wellingborough pro (pictured below)
topped the standings with 885 points, thanks to two runners-up finishes and a tied fourth place in this
year’s qualifying events.

The result came on the back of making his debut appearance in the PGA Cup a few days earlier as
he represented GB and Ireland against the USA at Foxhills GC in Surrey.

In a biennial team contest between the Professional Golfers’ Associations of Great Britain and
Ireland (PGA) and America (PGA of America), unfortunately the
tournament didn’t go the home side’s way as Lilly lost all three
matches in a 15½-10½ defeat.

Despite leading by one hole at the turn in the fourballs on the
opening day, Lilly and partner Matt Cort lost 2&1 as USA took
a three-point advantage into the second day.

Alongside new fourballs partner Paul McKechnie the
following morning, Lilly was defeated 5&4, before also
being beaten on day three in the last singles match,
by which time the visitors had already retained the
Llandudno International Trophy.

Fellow Wellingborough pro Meghan MacLaren (pictured
below), meanwhile, came agonisingly close to her
second victory of the season on the Ladies European
Tour as she lost a play-off to Ines Laklalech in the
Lacoste Ladies Open de France in Deauville.

The 28-year-old, who triumphed in the Australian
Women’s Classic in late April, carded scores of 65,
67 and 67 to finish tied with Laklalech - three strokes
clear of the rest of the field.

Unfortunately MacLaren found trouble with her
tee shot on the first play-off hole and, after taking a
penalty drop, was only able to make six, meaning her
opponent’s bogey five was enough to claim the title.

www.northantsgolf.co.uk 13

Carnihan and Ashcroft combine to lift NPGA Cantrell Cup

OVERSTONE Park amateur Fraser Carnihan
joined forces with Market Harborough
professional Dan Ashcroft to clinch the NPGA
Cantrell Cup at Silverstone GC.

The duo were in good form in the morning
fourball as they posted seven birdies and
no bogeys in a round of 65 to sit just one
shot behind pacesetters Matt Bearman
(Northampton) and Wellingborough pro
Simon Lilly.

With the leaders struggling for consistency
in the afternoon foursomes, Carnihan and
Ashcroft (pictured) seized the initiative as
a round of 73 earned them a single stroke
victory.

Ashcroft, meanwhile, continues to play
a significant role in developing the next
generation of golfers in this region as the
former Kettering GC member forms part of the organising committee for The Shires Junior Golf Tour.

With their 2022 Order of Merit category winners earning an opportunity to play a round of golf
with LPGA Tour winner Charley Hull, this year’s Tour came to a conclusion with the Grand Final at
Wellingborough GC.

Northamptonshire youngsters feature heavily at the top of the leaderboard as Overstone Park’s
James Miller continued his superb form by posting a brilliant Silver Division winning tally of 51 points.

Edie Connolly (Collingtree Park) finished runner-up on countback from Kingsthorpe’s Oscar Cooke,
Jack Meakin (Northants County) won the Gold Division, while Connie Stonestreet (Overstone) beat
Eva-Grace Parsons (Northampton) in the nine-hole Bronze section.

We will always promote golf in Northamptonshire - please join us

THANK you for taking time to read our latest Newsletter, the eighth in 2022.
With all county leagues, tournaments and knockout competitions coming to a
conclusion in recent weeks, it’s been a busy period of the year.

But we hope you enjoyed this 14-page edition as we keep you updated with
the most recent news and results, as well as providing all relevant information
about golf in this county. Please note that you can still find out all the latest on
County Golf in Northamptonshire by visiting www.northantsgolf.co.uk.

The next Newsletter, which is set to be published before Christmas, will include
a full review of our centenary year, as well as giving more insight into what is coming up in 2023.
Should anyone have any ideas for additional topics for inclusion in this publication, or how we may
develop our coverage further, please contact a member of the board.

As a non-profit organisation, we look to local businesses to support funding of our Coaching and
Training programmes, County Team Events, Team Kit and Competitions, but also at grass roots level.

We appreciate the economic situation means that more restrictions may be in place, but we are happy
to work together to find funding solutions that can enable us to enhance our golfing programmes.

Do you have any questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected].

14 Northamptonshire Golf Ltd