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One of three professional events played at Liphook this year, the Hampshire Open was played on July 28th and won by Jon Le Roux
We have entered a team in this event since 1992 but, until now, have never won it. 15 local clubs took part at Waterlooville on Wednesday 7th July; teams consist of the Captain and Vice Captain of each club plus 4 players with handicaps of less than 10; the best 4 net medal scores of the 6-man team count. The Liphook team comprised Ian Hewitt (13), Richard Freedman (18), John Groombridge (6), David Murdoch (2), Alan Thomson (3) and Steve Schorah (5); our best 4 scores on a tight and testing course were 70, 70, 72 and 73, 3 under par, and the total of 285 tied with Meon Valley. The 5th best card proved to be decisive with David Murdoch’s 76 ensuring that Liphook had at last clocked up a victory. The result was particularly rewarding for Steve Schorah who had represented Liphook 17 times, missing one year to attend a family wedding!
The afternoon’s golf was followed by an excellent meal and prize-giving; we are invited to defend the title in 2011.
Forty-six stalwart early risers teed off at 6.15am on Friday, 18th June, to compete in the annual Dawn Patrol Stableford Foursomes competition. The winners, with 38 points, were Alan Macaulay and Ian Menzies, who were sustained throughout their round by the Buck's Fizz generously provided by one of their playing partners, Roy Davies. Along with the whole field they were also spurred on at this ungodly hour by the prospect of the excellent Full English Breakfast, which was undoubtedly the highlight of the morning for most, if not all, of the participants. Vice-Captain, Richard Freedman, who presented the prizes, came second with his partner, Jackie Millar, with 37 points.
The Club Chamionship was played on Saturday 13th June. The Winner of the Championship was Colin Walsh, pictured on the right. Colin is 16 years old and a member of the Juniors section. He scored 141 (72 AM & 69 PM) - one of the lowest scores ever recorded in the competition.
The winner of the Douglas Hall Trophy (Club Handicap championship) was James Chapman, pictured far right with the Captain. He scored 136 which included a gross 73 in the first round.
Members filled both the Lounge and the Spikes Bar at a reception held to mark the retirement of Liphook's longest-serving member of staff, Betty Haslam. Speakers represented Visiting Society and Bohunt Manor Golf Club; the Club Captain Ian Hewitt made a number of presentations to Betty including an engraved bowl and a cheque representing donations made by members. For a gallery of pictures of the event click here.
On 17th February a presentation took place at the Club to mark the recent award by the EGU of its valuable GolfMark accreditation to Liphook GC. GolfMark is a national scheme that identifies and recognises clubs with outstanding junior and beginner friendly golf facilities. Keith Maplesden, Chairman of the Hampshire Golf Partnership, and Beverly Huke, County Development Officer, presented the official EGU GolfMark certificate and plaque to Ian Hewitt, Club Captain. Ms Huke said: "Hampshire Golf Partnership is thrilled that a prestigious club such as Liphook should become one of the first eight clubs in the county to have gained GolfMark status."
In order to achieve this accreditation, three key areas within the golf club were rigorously assessed. They were : Coaching & Playing, Club Environment (including sports equity & ethics) and Child Protection & Duty of Care. James Wardrobe (Junior Organiser), Ian Mowbray (Club Professional) and John Douglass (Managing Secretary), who were all closely involved with the effort to achieve GolfMark, together with James Taylor, Junior Captain, were also present at the award ceremony.
What are the benefits of this award for Liphook? Firstly, we shall have access to greater levels of funding and grants for the Club. We shall receive more recognition within the local community for the Club's commitment to junior golf and positive promotion via the EGU/EWGA websites. Furthermore, we can better guarantee well-coached, committed and educated juniors, many of whom will go on to become the next generation of adult members.
In order to fulfil all the assessment requirements, there were seventy-eight criteria to meet, of which thirty-four represent the minimum necessary standards. Here is just one example from each of the three assessed areas : Girls and boys must have equal rights to enter into junior competitions; The golf club must have adopted an equal opportunities/sport equity policy; The golf club must have adopted the Children in Golf Safeguarding and Child Protection policy. In acknowledging Liphook's achievement, Andy Willems, EGU Regional Development Officer, said: " I would like to thank the whole team at Liphook for the amount of work you have put in, and many congratulations in achieving the award. Your efforts have been second to none and you have produced a very good and comprehensive GolfMark evidence file, which is much appreciated."
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Jon Le Roux and Mike Hocking (Operations Manager, Strada Rail)
From the left, John Groombridge, David Murdoch, Ian Hewitt ( with cup), Steve Schorah and Richard Freedman. Alan Thompson was the sixth member of the team.
Winners of the Dawn Patrol Alan Macaulay, left, and Ian Menzies, right, with Vice Captain Richard Freedman
 
Colin Walsh, Club Champion, and James Chapman receiving the Douglass Hall Trophy from the Captain
Scenes from Betty Haslam's farewell reception
Beverly Huke presents the GolfMark certificate to Ian Hewitt, watched by Ian Menzies
Andy Willems speaking, watched by Keith Maplesden
The Liphook team - left to right, Keith Maplesden, Ian Mowbary, James Taylor, Ian Hewitt and James Wardrobe
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Tickets to England v New Zealand at Twickenham in the auction
