Burhill
Junior Update
January - June 2025
Introduction from Graeme...
Burhill Junior Section is a proud part of the fabric here at the club, and this newsletter is intended to keep members up to date with what has happened through the first half of the year.
We are deeply grateful for the level of support we get from all members across the club, both in terms of financial assistance to allow our Junior Development Programme to thrive, but also in terms of the acceptance by members of our players as an integral part of Burhill.
Graeme Fergusson Junior Organiser
Junior Development Programme
Given the broad range of abilities in our Junior Section, it is essential that we provide a full range of activities to cover all ages and abilities. For our newer and younger members, this includes a regular commitment to coaching sessions, and club nights – where coaching, some course time and cheesy chips all combine to provide a fun platform.
Furthermore, we have introduced some smaller group coaching out ‘on the course’ so that our players can learn about other aspects of the game, such as decision making, in addition to working on their swings.
At the elite end, our Platinum (seven players) and Gold (nine players) squads are supported more specifically around their coaching and competition needs, to enable them to fulfil their true potential.
Our season got underway in early April with
our Easter Texas Scramble event, where a morning of coaching was followed by 18 holes out on the course. These events provide the perfect opportunity to blend our newer members with some of our elite players ensuring that, at both ends of the spectrum, players are contributing to the health of the junior section.
Meet The Junior Leadership Team
This year, the honour of junior captaincy has fallen to Aaron Moody after serving his apprenticeship under the expert guidance of Freddie Surgey last year.
Aaron is a tremendous golfer, playing off +4 handicap and a member of the Surrey u16, u18 and England Regional Squads and has been a member at Burhill since 2017. His partner in crime and co-vice captain is Finlay Fergusson. Finlay plays off scratch and is also a member of the Surrey u16 & u18 squads, and has been at Burhill since 2018. Grace Taylor completes the trio for 2025 as co-vice captain. Grace joined Burhill in 2019 and also represents Surrey, playing off a handicap of 5.
In addition to focusing on their games, Aaron, Finlay and Grace do a lot of work with our younger members out on the course, ensuring the baton is passed to the next generation. All three are true examples of home-grown talent here at Burhill and proud examples of what the Junior Development Programme enables.
Good luck to all three players as they embark on a busy summer of golf, which will take them all over the UK representing Burhill.
Girls Match v Walton Heath
We were delighted to host Walton Heath girls for our first-ever girls’ friendly match in April. Gradually, we are seeing rises in the number of junior female members at Burhill, and this was a great chance for a bit of competition.
In the end, Burhill came out on top with a 3-0 win, but truly, girls’ golf was the winner, and we really hope to build on this by holding more events like this to ensure our junior girls feel comfortable at the club.
It was great to have former Junior Captain, Sasha Crockett, and current Ladies Captain, Lindsey Evans-Smith, on hand to support the day.
We’re also delighted to note that the Acorn Vase will make a return in August, which pairs one of our junior girls with a lady member.
Team Events
Surrey Interclub Series
This is a team and individual stableford event with a minimum of seven players competing from each club.
We are the reigning champions and each year we visit West Byfleet, Guildford, Hindhead, Effingham, Surbiton, Farnham, and Bramley, as well as hosting our event. After three rounds, we are in a strong position, lying in joint 1st place with five events to go. In addition, Aurelius Lynarko sits 2nd in the gross order of merit.
Rookie League u14 & u18 (4BBB)
Our u14 team has made a strong start to the season in defence of their title with wins both home and away against Kingswood, although we slipped to a home defeat against Surbiton.
Our u18 team have also produced some great performances with a win and a draw against Kingswood and a comfortable home win against Surbiton.
With three matches remaining for both teams, it is all to play for in trying to qualify for the semi-finals.
The Guildford & District League
This year seems to be a highly competitive group, with both our matches so far ending in 2.5-2.5 draws with West Surrey and Betchworth Park.
With four matches remaining, there is still plenty of time for some strong results to get us through to finals day at Hindhead in late August.
The Christie Cup
We’ve enjoyed very little success in this event over the years, however great away wins to Regiate Heath and Roehampton have seen the team progress to the Quarter Finals where we will host Farnham giving us a chance to avenge last years exit to them.
Individual Success
It has been a barnstorming start to 2025 for Harry Weatherhead who managed to win the Burhill Mens Gold Medal in fine style which capped off a great April in which he also took home the Burhill and West Hill Junior Opens. Good luck to Harry for a great summer of golf.
Our 2nd ‘Major’ of the year was held recently, with the Burhill Junior Masters contested for the 1st time. A quite remarkable 64 (-8) from Kuan Zhou was, unsurprisingly, enough to take home the win, with a fantastic 69 (-3) from Sean Jacoby in 2nd place – incredible golf.
Hole in One Alert
And whilst new junior member Zac Patel wasn’t in the running to win the gross competition, he did have a memorable day at the Masters where he produced a hole in one on the 8th on the New Course – well done Zac, it was quite the day.
English u18 Amateur Champs
Congratulations to our Junior Captain, Aaron Moody on his incredible 2nd place at the u18 Amateur Champs. Aaron was leading at 36 holes with a total of -7 (69,68), and after a very difficult 3rd round 77, where he lost significant ground on the leaders, he bounced immediately back to produce a truly remarkable 64 (-8), an amateur course record, to finish in 2nd place, narrowly missing out on a playoff as his birdie putt slid agonisingly by on 18.
It was also a fantastic week for Sean Jacoby finishing in 16th with rounds of 72, 69, 75 & 71, on an incredibly strong field of England’s finest.
And finally…….
Your junior committee is constantly trying to instil the basic rules and etiquette of the game to all of our members, whether that be repairing your divots or ensuring a good pace of play.
Sometimes, our younger members can leave their clubs in the wrong spot… but no matter, here’s Sean Collins, one of our elite juniors, on hand to carry three bags to the next tee!
Good luck!
Late June sees the beginning of many national events. We have so many players heading off around the country and overseas to major events to be able to mention them all, but on behalf of everyone at Burhill Golf Club, we wish them every success.
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Want to get involved?
The junior section is always looking for support and help across the board, if you think you could support us, don’t hesitate to reach out. graeme.fergusson@outlook.com
Best Regards,
Graeme Fergusson
BURHILL