Well done to Michael Lawrence who shot a 70 at The London Club to qualify for the Final Qualifying for The Open Championship at Hoylake. Michael and Luke Spooner are at the English Amatuer at Seaton Carew this week, I will give you more details when available.
Club Championship Weekend
It was Club Championship weekend at the club for both the men and ladies, with some interesting results thrown up.
On Saturday in the Men's Championship, the courses proved to be a challenge for the competitors with the CSS raising by two in the morning to 74 and again by three to 73 in the afternoon.
Mark Peache saw off rivals after a +2 (73) round, the lowest in the morning, Mark bettered his AM round by one carding an impressive +1 (70) (nett 64) on the West Course to take the title and secure his place at this years Trophy Dinner Presentation.
Alex Broughton fought off close contenders Sam Keevill and Euan Butler to take the Lighfoot Trophy (Handicap) with a total nett score of 145 (74 - 71). Alex will also be invited to this years Trophy Dinner.
On Sunday in the Ladies Championship, Kim Morris started strong with a gross 76 (+4) on the East Course, 6 shots clear of closest rival Rachel Martin on 82 (+10).
After a second round on the West Course, Kim Morris came out on top with a second round 78 (+7) given her a total of 154 (+11) 4 shots clear of second place Rachel Martin 158 (+15).
Kim Morris also lead the Todd Salver after the first round with her steady nett 73 (+1), hot on her heels though was Kent County Captain, Ingrid Long who shot a nett 75 (+3). Ingrid's second round nett 73 (+2) put her tied first with Kim and taking the win on count back with a total nett 148 (+5). Second place went to Spohie Bargeron with her total nett score of 151 (78 + 73).
The Silver Handicap prize, for the best 18 holes in the Silver Division, went to Liz Martinez-Gray, winning on count back with a nett score of 78 (+6), and in the Bronze Cowie/Speed Trophy the winning prize went to Elaine Lopatequi with a Nett 74 (+2). The Poulter Trophy (Seniors) was contended for by the over 60's, Vicki Ely won with a nett score of 76.
Thanks for the great support for the FootJoy Fitting Day on Saturday, the technician James was constantly busy, with some really interesting cases. One gentleman was wearing and ordering wide fitting shoes, when fitted he was a narrow fitting, no wonder his feet hurt. Another had one foot an extra wide and the other a standard fit. It was such a success that I have asked FootJoy for another day asap. I will let you know when they are able to accommodate us.
The European Tour travels to Germany this week for the BMW International Open. Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson will be the headline acts at Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof in Cologne.
Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof, is a Jack Nicklaus design with water a feature on 50% of the holes. The club is no stranger to hosting significant events sponsored by big car manufacturers. It was the venue for the Mercedes-Benz Championship 10 times between 1999 and 2009. The club also welcomed this event in 2012 when Danny Willett of England came out on top.
"I've obviously got very fond memories of my win in Cologne two years ago. I played really well all week, especially in difficult conditions on the last day," said Willett.
"I'm excited about going back there, because the course would suit me much better than the one in Munich does. The scoring's not usually as low so you need to really work hard for your birdies, and I enjoy that challenge."
Martin Kaymer will inevitably be the fans' favourite this week. The newly crowned U.S. Open champion is a past winner of this event and the Gut Lärchenhof course is just 20 minute drive from his home town of Dusseldorf.
David Feherty won the first instalment of the BMW International Open back in 1989, beating Fred Couples into second place. Since then, there have been some notable champions. Paul Azinger was twice a winner and Sandy Lyle, Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson and Martin Kaymer have all taken the title.
Last year, at Golfclub München Eichenried, Ernie Els came out on top. The South African beat Thomas Bjorn by a single stroke. Els isn't back to defend his title this year, although a strong field has assembled. Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson will start the week as favourites, but they'll receive stern opposition from the likes of Sergio Garcia, Victor Dubuisson, Thomas Bjorn, Miguel Angel Jimenez and last week's Irish Open winner Mikko Ilonen.
The weather forecast for the week looks mixed. There's currently a risk of some thundery showers over the weekend.
Player Watch:
Danny Willett - He was the winner of this event last time it was contested on this course back in 2012. He was tied third in last week's Irish Open and had a chance of victory so is clearly on good form.
Chris Wood - He was tied third in this event in 2012 so the course obviously suits his game. He has had four top-25 finishes in his last five starts.
Rafa Cabrera-Bello - One of the European Tour's most consistent performers in 2014, he's missed only one cut and has five top-10 finishes to his name. He's an extremely talented player and should surely have secured more than the two victories he has managed on the circuit. Perhaps this week he'll add to his tally.
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