Ashburnham’s junior golfers forge new links with famous Sandwich club

By Robert Lloyd

The junior golfers of The Ashburnham Golf Club in Pembrey have forged new links with the famous Princes Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent.

 

The junior sections of both clubs have agreed to play each other annually on a home and away basis. The winner over the two legs will receive the Friendship Bowl.

Princes Golf Club is steeped in rich golfing history, having hosted the British Open in 1932, when it was won by the great American Gene Sarazen.

More recently, it has hosted the final qualifying rounds for the British Open which was held at neighbouring Royal St George’s.

The legends of the game, including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, have graced the links at Princes, while some notable honorary members include Gary Player and Phil Mickleson.

Richard Brice, Junior Organiser at The Ashburnham Championship Links club, said: “We have worked extremely hard to develop junior golf at ‘The Ash’ and this fixture rewards the efforts of our lower handicap golfers with a fantastic opportunity to compete on some of the most demanding and renowned links courses in the British Isles.

“We also hope the contest will spur on juniors with higher handicaps to work on their game in order to increase competition for team places.”

Ashburnham Golf Club manager Huw Morgan said he was delighted to see the new links established.

“We know ‘The Ash’ is a great links golf course and it is wonderful to see the relationship building with the Princes Golf Club in Kent.

The competition format will see both teams consisting of eight players up to a maximum handicap of 18. Teams will be selected in strict handicap order, while the format will be fourball better-ball matchplay.

The first leg of the fixture took place during the Easter break, when the Ashburnham juniors travelled to Kent and played Princes.

Despite losing 2.5 – 1.5, a young Ashburnham side put in a brave performance against an exceptionally talented Kent team which included no fewer than four single-figure handicappers.

During their visit to Sandwich, the Ashburnham team members were also invited to play a junior match against the neighbouring and equally esteemed Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club.

The team from ‘The Ash’ bounced back in style to record a superb win 2.5 – 1.5.

Welsh international Nia Greville, junior vice-captain of ‘The Ash’, paid tribute to the performance of the Ashburnham side and thanked both Princes and Royal Cinque Ports for their wonderful and welcoming hospitality.

The Ashburnham will host the return fixture later this year, with the match delicately balanced.

Photo: Junior golfers from The Ashburnham and Princes Golf Club.

For further information about The Ashburnham Golf Club, contact:  The Clubhouse, Cliffe Terrace, Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, SA16 0HN. Tel:01554 832269, Email:admin@ashgolf.co.uk

Website – http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk