The latest news from Cirencester Golf Club.

South West Senior Ladies Team Gross Championship

CIRENCESTER A-Team players Emma Brereton and Ali Kelly helped Gloucestershire to win the inaugural South West Senior Ladies Team Gross Championship at Bristol & Clifton Golf Club.

The successful quartet was completed by Welsh international Jane Rees (Minchinhampton) and Linda Carruthers (Broadway) in what was the last county seniors tournament of the year.

On a testing course, the Gloucestershire ladies finished seven shots clear of their nearest rivals, Somerset, to win the salver with a very worthy gross score of 242 (best three scores to count).

Wiltshire, Devon and Dorset also competed, while Cornwall had to withdraw due to COVID.

“We fielded a strong team and, on paper, were favourites to win – so there was plenty of pressure,” said Emma.

“Thankfully, Linda (79) had the joint-best score of the day and Jane was just one shot behind.

“Ali went around in 83 having suffered a triple bogey on the 9th and I shot 84 despite a quadruple bogey on the 18th!”

Ken Mead Cup

There was a notable final for the Ken Mead Cup (Seniors’ Pairs Knockout Championship) which went to the 20th hole after an epic encounter at Cirencester Golf Club.

Jeffrey Brantly & Phil Woodall sealed the deal with a long birdie putt across the 2nd green after a Lazarus-like comeback having been five down to Martin Harrison & Paul Simmonds over the first eight holes.

“At five down we were facing humiliation,” said Phil.

“But four straight holes from the 9th got us back in it, then we won 15 with a bogey and the 17th with a par.

“Then Jeffrey saw us home with two pars and his 20ft birdie putt for a two on the 20th hole.”

Jeff added: “Our match proves that anything is possible in golf!”

Golf Environment Awards

Cirencester Golf Club has been announced as a finalist at the annual Golf Environment Awards.

They have been nominated in the Operation Pollinator category which rewards golf clubs who consistently deliver outstanding ecological habitat creation and management.

The rare Green Winged Orchid has been growing on a number of holes and the little-seen Duke of Burgundy butterfly was spotted on the course in the spring.  

Nominated alongside Cirencester are four clubs from the UK and one from Italy.

The winners will be announced at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in Harrogate next January.