European Players Tour comes to Kington
On 2nd and 3rd October Kington Golf Club hosted the year end 36 hole championship of the European Players Tour. This new Tour has experienced tour professionals competing against quality amateurs. Despite recent bad weather the hard work of our greenkeepers coupled with our fast drying fairways and greens ensured a good test for the field which included champions from the European Tour, Seniors Tour, and former European Ryder Cup players Philip Price and David Gilford. Many of the players loved the unique inland links style of the course and they said they would return with friends in the near future.
Day one, the unusually calm conditions saw former European Tour Winner Daniel Brooks shoot a new course record for the current layout of 6 under par 64. He followed that with a 66 in more usual windy conditions on Day 2 to win the overall 36 hole stableford event with 74 points playing off plus 4 handicap.
A special mention should go to our reigning club champion Ryan Hotchkiss who won day 2 with a gross 66 (38 points) and finished 3rd overall beating all of the other professionals in the field. This was achieved with an amazing back nine of just 29 which included 5 birdies and an eagle. Allan Williams also played excellent golf to finish 6th overall.
Events such as this are great for raising awareness of Kington Golf Club and the Tour plans to return for two events next year on 18th April and another 36 hole event on 4th/5th September.
Finally, thanks should go to our greenkeepers, steward and all the volunteers who helped with car parking, starter duties and on course marshalls. The Tour organisers and players all spoke very positively about the welcome they had received from all at the club.
Pictured below is event winner Daniel Brooks with the Trophy on the 18th green.
Kington 36 Hole Open 2023
The annual 36 hole Kington Open was held on Sunday 2nd July. Well done to all of the 54 contestants who battled all day in challenging conditions.
Congratulations to Tom Ammonds who won with a nett score of 139 playing off 6 handicap.
The Gross competition was won by Nigel Griffiths with excellent rounds of 76 and 73 for a 149 Gross.
Winner of the Madigan Cup for best morning round was Jon Watkins with Nett 70, beating Tony Davies and Andy Wood on countback.
We now look forward to the Festival of Golf next weekend from Friday to Sunday. Please contact the Pro Shop for any late entries.
Tom Ammonds receiving the overall 36 hole winners trophy from Men's Captain Gareth Jones.
Ton and Gareth with Jon Watkins, winner of the Madigan Cup.
2023 Cognac Trophy
The annual Cognac Trophy was held at Kington on Sat 17th July featuring 24 teams from clubs across the Shropshire and Herefordshire Golf Union.
The Kington team of Gareth Jones (Capt) Nigel Scott, Graham Priday and Phil Jones posted an excellent 93 points to win from Market Drayton and Shrewsbury who both scored 87 points.
Pictured below are the winning team receiving the trophy from Jill and Glyn Wictome along with Marcel Veillet.
2nd Place in GB and Ireland Top 100 Courses under £65
We are delighted to have risen to 2nd place in the 2023 Top 100 Courses in Great Britain and Ireland under £65 ranking by Today's Golfer / Golf World. We deserved recognition for our greenkeepers for constantly presenting the course so well.
Read the full ranking in the link below or in the latest Today's Golfer magazine which is in the shops now.
New Steward at Kington GC
We are delighted to announce Ian Carpenter will be the new steward at the golf club from Monday 27th March 2023.
Our thanks go to Agi, our existing Steward, who has decided to leave the club. She provided great service to members and visitors alike over the past 3 years. The COVID pandemic was a challeging time but the service continued to be first class and the food and hospitality offered has helped in moving the club forward. We wish her well for the future.
Ian is well known around the county golf scene, with a track record for providing great food and excellent value for money. He will be offering a new menu and range of visitor/society packages as well as his range of "Carpy specials".
