FEBRUARY 2023
JCB GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
WELCOME TO THE UNION
RICHARD MANSELL
Representing Staffordshire on the biggest stage
ALFIE WARKE
11-year-old raising money in the most unique way
HOLE-IN-ONE MADNESS
An astonishing thing happened at Wergs Golf Club
Welcome to the third edition of Staffordshire Golfer. We’ve been delighted with the response to the first two issues and have really enjoyed reading stories from all over the Union through the winter months. Please keep them coming. We’d love to share news from your club in coming issues and we really think the stories that make you proud of your club will make the most interesting stories for all of our readers. Contact Gareth Shaw our County Secretary at the email below
with any news you’d like us to share. Here at SUGC the ‘off season’ has been incredibly busy as you’ll see inside. We’ve created and launched our new website that will make it easier for everyone to access County information and events; we’ve been working tirelessly to add our 47th member club and are delighted to announce that JCB Golf & Country Club have joined the Union – and have also featured in the Today’s Golfer Top 200 courses in just their 5th year; plus we’ve had the small task of planning our Centenary year. The 100th year of the Union has
THE TEAM AT STAFFORDSHIRE GOLFER
Editor and Production: Medi8 Golf – david@medi8ltd.co.uk
Editorial research: Gareth Shaw – secretary@staffsgolf.org.uk
Editorial research: Michael Entecott – michael.entecott@staffsgolf.org.uk
been a long time in the planning – 10 years as new County President Andrew Dathan explains in our feature interview. From an anthology of the past 100 years brought together in our Centenary book, to a calendar of events to mark the milestone, this year promises to be a celebration of the best of Staffordshire Golf. And once again, let us know of any stories of note from your club or events you would like to promote. You never know, you might make it into the bi-centennial book!
James Claridge from Enville Golf Club has been selected for the England Golf Mens Squad for the upcoming season.
Snow hits Staffordshire in January, here are some of our favourite pictures from around the County.
Congratulations to Leek Golf Club member, John Foxall, for his hole-in-one on the 13th hole.
The winning team of the England Golf Midlands Qualifier from back in the day! L-R: Mike Amos, Ryan Cornfield, Richard Mansell, Louis Birchall, Robert Burlison, Cameron Long.
2023 marks 100 years of the Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs. From humble beginnings of 8 clubs banding together, the Union has just added its 47th club (more on that in this issue!) and goes from strength to strength. To celebrate this milestone, the Union has a full calendar of events, plus a Centenary book that has been meticulously crafted by County stalwart Pippa Dathan. We sat down with Pippa and County President Andrew Dathan to discuss everything that will be going on over the next year as we celebrate 100 years of the Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs.
Gareth Shaw: Can you take us on a journey of how long you’ve been working on pulling the Centenary year together?
Andrew Dathan: Well, I’ve been involved with Staffordshire Golf in some way since I was a junior back in the 60s until now. In 1998, we had a special competition to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the County Union. It then occurred to me in 2013 that we were only 10 years away from our centenary. I said in executive meetings that we ought to do something about it. Eventually, Martin Payne who was the President at the time just turned round and said “Ok Andrew, it’s up to you. You’re going to be the Centenary Chairman, get something done.” Since then, we’ve been working for more than five years doing Centenary books and everything that hopefully is going to come to fruition this year.
G.S: Pippa, you’ve been heavily involved in putting the book together. Has that been an interesting journey that you’ve gone on, delving into the archives?
Pippa Dathan: Yes, I somehow found myself writing the book. I do love research and I decided after having never written a book before that I wanted just really to tell a story of how golf came to Staffordshire. The people who were involved in that are the most important part of any County Union. The Centenary book is now out. It documents
everything that has happened in the County in these hundred years, along with lots and lots of photographs. There has been an awful lot of hunting in archives in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the Stafford Archive. People all around the Midlands and indeed in Staffordshire have been really, really helpful sending me photographs along with things that they remembered.
G.S: Where did it all begin for Staffordshire?
P.D: The Grand Hotel in Birmingham! We were one of the last Counties at that time to form a Union. Questions had been asked why not? Why hasn’t Staffordshire formed a Union? Eventually they decided they had probably enough good players to start being involved in County golf. So, Frank Scarf chaired the first meeting, where there were eight clubs present and the County Union was formed. The first County match was on November the 7th against Warwickshire. We then played in more County matches and a County championship in 1924. We also played the Scarf Shield, which was a team championship, and since then we’ve gone from strength to strength.
G.S: We’re going to be celebrating that first match this year, aren’t we?
P.D: Yes, we certainly are. We’ve got it all planned that we are going to have a replay of the match against Warwickshire at Little Aston on Tuesday the 7th of November, which is the date and venue of the very first County match.
G.S: How do you see the next 100 years of the Union looking?
P.D: I think one of the most important things is that we have to re-engage with the clubs and the club members and get them to understand that the County is a very important part of club golf. It would be nice to have lots of supporters coming to cheer on our juniors and teams generally. I think that is one of the most important things, making sure we’re engaging with the clubs so they see it as an honour to host something for the County. We would have members coming out to support.
They were really enthusiastic to watch the County players. Obviously, I think the constraints of today’s life people are very busy and the members just want to play golf. If the County is there, then perhaps they’re stopping them from playing golf, which is a great shame.
A.D: I think one problem is that when I used to play County golf there was the same number of County matches that there are now, but the other competitions are just tremendous. The Counties are just amazing and if you want to, you can play in five or six competitions in a week. Also, there is now the Nick Faldo Series, the Sullivan Series and the juniors are off playing golf all over the country. Trying to get people together to make a team is very difficult. I don’t think that’s going to change unless something is done from the top levels. This interview is taken from a longer interview with Pippa and Andrew that can be listened to on the SUGC podcast.
Anyone wishing to purchase a copy of the SUGC Centenary book should contact secretary@staffsgolf.org.uk Full of stories, photographs and highlights of the past 100 years of Staffordshire Golf, it really is a treasure trove of information that will become your own piece of Staffordshire history, for the price of £10.
I am both privileged and proud to represent the Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs as its President in the Centenary year, 2023.
I have had the honour and good fortune to be associated with Staffordshire Golf, in many different capacities, for over 58 years, more than half the lifetime of the Union.
Firstly, I must pay tribute to the tenacity of those men who had the drive and foresight to bring together golf clubs from across Staffordshire to form the County Union, one hundred years ago!
Secondly, congratulations and thanks must also go to all the golf clubs and their members, throughout Staffordshire, for their continued support of golf in our County. This support has meant that we have been able to ensure that golf has flourished and is enjoyed by club members and visitors alike.
May I wish everyone a happy, enjoyable and successful Centenary year, and beyond, hopefully with good weather and good golf.
Andrew N. DathanYou can find the episode and many others here.
SUGC has recently appointed two new Life Vice Presidents to its roll of honour for exceptional services to the County game. First was Les Williams of Calderfields Golf Club. Les has been a tireless servant to Calderfields and the Union. As club treasurer for 24 years, Les has been integral to the development of Calderfields and as SUGC Membership Scheme Treasurer for 25 years, he has become incredibly well known around the County for his hard work and dedication to the game.
Trevor has had a stellar career in golf. 2 times winner of the British Amateur Championship, Walker Cup, St Andrew Trophy and Eisenhower Trophy player, multiple England Caps and perhaps most significantly, highest placed amateur at the Masters, Trevor has had a golf career that most could only dream of. Trevor also played a key role in several Staffordshire County teams and has been a lifelong supporter of the work of the Union.
Pictured with outgoing President, Michael Entecott, SUGC are delighted to have Trevor and Les as Life Vice Presidents and offer full thanks for their dedication to the County.
The end of the year is always a special time at Whiston Hall, with the ‘Mappy’s Memorial Prostate Cancer Golf Day’ in memory of former town Mayor, Ian Whitehouse. All proceeds made on the day are donated to Ian’s favourite charity, Prostate Cancer U.K.
This year’s annual event saw ten fourball teams competing in a shotgun start Stableford competition at Whiston Hall Golf Club. Despite the torrential rain the set up of the course was fantastic, with greens holding their speed, despite the weather.
The resilience of the competitors over the years has been remarkable, playing in all the weather conditions that you come to expect in December. The day started with bacon baps, tea and coffee before the teams headed to the respective starting holes. The players were welcomed back into the clubhouse with chicken curry, and the opportunity to dry off! The weather meant the putting competition had to be moved indoors but proved to be great fun nonetheless.
The day was possible due to the generosity of hosts Whiston Hall Golf Club and B&L Electrical services, who donated all the trophies. A final thanks must go to all the competitors for their continued support.
Congratulations to winners M. Smith, S. Hallam, P. Bould and K. Leese.
Report by Ken Horleston – Whiston Hall.
Geoffrey Marks OBE was the most successful golfer in the history of the Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs. Throughout his career as a player, captain and administrator, he was a wonderful and respected ambassador for Staffordshire.
His life in golf started when he was about ten years old caddying for his grandfather at Trentham Park. After a few years of playing, he caught the eye of some members of the County who played at Trentham and was encouraged to join them there. This was the start of a long career in amateur golf for Staffordshire, England and Great Britain.
He won the Staffordshire Boy’s Championship in 1955 and was asked to play in, and captain, the England Boys against Scotland in 1956. In 1957 to 1959 he was selected to play for England Youths. Among many other achievements, between 1959 and 1973 he won the Staffordshire Amateur Championship eight times, equalling Charlie Stowe’s record, and during his playing career he represented Staffordshire 261 times. He captained Staffordshire from 1975 to 1977 and as playing captain in 1975 led Staffordshire to victory in the English County Finals at Brancepeth Castle, County Durham. In the early 1960’s he played for England as a full international and during a span of more than 10 years he played sixty-five times.
In 1969 and 1971 he was selected to play in the Walker Cup notably in the winning side in 1971 at St Andrews. In 1968 and 1970 he played for GB&I in the St Andrew’s Trophy match against the Continent of Europe and in 1970 played in the World Amateur Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy in Madrid. Following the conclusion of his playing career he was appointed England Captain and between 1980–1983 led the team to victory in the Home Internationals and the European Team Championships.
From 1987-1990 he was appointed captain of GB&I and in 1989 led the team to victory in the Walker Cup match at Peachtree, Atlanta, USA, the first time that GB&I had won on US soil. During the same period Geoff also captained GB&I to win the Eisenhower Trophy in Stockholm, Sweden.
In 1995 he was appointed President of the English Golf Union and for the next ten years served on many R&A committees. In 2000, he was appointed President of the SUGC and in all served on the Executive Committee for over forty years. Despite his time consuming, international playing and governance commitments, Geoff remained a devoted supporter of Staffordshire Golf and in 2008 he was made an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to golf.
Geoffrey Marks was a true gentleman of golf, supremely talented, who played at the very highest level. He was a great team man and a fine leader. He was modest, kind and unassuming and never forgot his roots in Staffordshire Golf.
Geoff Marks - Junior Geoff as part of winning England County Finals Team 1971 Seascale GCThe Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs are absolutely delighted to welcome JCB Golf & Country Club to the Union as they become the 47th member club, following Whiston Hall who joined at the end of 2022.
Built on a 240-acre site next to the headquarters of the world famous engineering and construction company, the course opened its doors in the summer of 2018 four years after plans were originally published. Designed and built by renowned golf course architect Robin Hiseman of European Golf Design, the 7308-yard par 72 course has quickly become established as one of the best courses in the region. This was recently backed up by JCB breaking into the Top 50 English courses as ranked by Today’s Golfer.
Upon the announcement of becoming a member of the Union, James Howard, Membership Manager at JCB Golf & Country Club said “It is great to be a part of the Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs and the amazing history it has as a County. We are looking forward to the history we create together.”
The course has already played host to a Legends Tour event which attracted some huge names from the golfing world. Sandy Lyle, Jose Maria Olazabal, Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, Retief Goosen, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley were just some of the star names who competed in the event which was won by Alex Cejka in July 2022.
Following the success of 2022, the event will be returning to Staffordshire in August 2023, with 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke being chosen as host of the event.
Michael Entecott, outgoing President of the Union said: “We’ve been working extremely hard behind the scenes with England Golf and JCB to get them signed up to the Union. We’re delighted that they have become the 47th club to do so right at the start of or Centenary year. We’ve certainly come a long way from the original eight clubs that started the Union back in 1923.”
“Our course rating co-ordinator, Rogar Howarth, was out in early January doing the course rating, which we imagine will be quite high. It’s a fantastic golf course that certainly tests all parts of your game, as shown by the fact that they’ve held a Legends Tour event,” Entecott concluded.
Seven Staffordshire golf courses have made their mark on the Today’s Golfer Top 200 golf courses list, highlighting the quality of golf on offer in the County.
Topping the local leaderboard at number 40 on the list is JCB Golf and Country Club, a remarkable achievement after opening only 5 years ago in 2018. The golf course in Rocester has already made a mark in the game by playing host to a Legends Tour event and promises to be a feature on the coveted list for years to come. Our list of seven high flying courses are as follows. Are there any that you think should have been included – let us know on our social channels @staffsgolfclubs
40 – JCB Golf and Country Club – Designed by world famous European Golf Design and Robin Hiseman this lengthy parkland championship course is a test of every aspect of your game.
54 – Little Aston Golf Club – Little Aston is a parkland course set in the former estate of Little Aston Hall. Recent developments of new tees, changing the angles into green make this a challenging test.
50 – Beau Desert Golf Club – Set amongst the towering canopy of Cannock Forest, Beau Desert with its rolling fairways and testing greens provides a tough test to all golfers.
You’re playing golf on a rainy day and puddles are starting to form in bunkers all over the course due to the heavy downpour. Unfortunately one of your approach shots lands in a greenside bunker and lays to rest in a puddle. Do you…
A. Gain relief by moving your ball to the nearest point of relief inside the bunker but no closer to the hole
B. Play the ball as it lies
C. Move the ball out of the bunker and carry on playing
See back page for the answer
135 – Enville Golf Club (Lodge) – Albeit slightly shorter, the Lodge course is dominated by same features as the Highgate with very little to split between the two. 109 – Enville Golf Club (Highgate) – With thick heather and towering pines being a feature across all holes, accuracy from every tee shot is a must to navigate this tricky heathland course. 171 – Whittington Heath Golf Club – The trademark heather and gorse is a staple feature throughout providing a stern challenge to golfers of all abilities. 179 – Sandwell Park Golf Club – Designed by H.S. Colt this heathland course known for its small and fast greens has played host to a number of prestigious County and national championships.
Does your golf club need help with its marketing? Could it benefit from better recruitment and higher retention of members? Through a partnership with England Golf, any golf club in England can get free access to a year’s membership of specialist golf marketing platform Golf Marketing Hub. In the Hub, clubs can de-mystify marketing strategy with over 150 short video tutorials; they can take the headache out of planning social media and marketing with access to monthly calendars; and they can save time and increase output by downloading ready made social media posts every month. Simply contact your England Golf CSO and ask for your free access to Golf Marketing Hub.
You may have noticed that golf courses across Staffordshire have been battered by just about every single weather condition, and that your ball striking has become more inconsistent as you try and adapt to the change in ground conditions.
With the new golfing season getting ever closer we’ve got a great tip to share from Dan Davis, Head Professional at The Chase Golf & Country Club that will help you strike the ball more consistently and get your game in top shape for the summer. Practicing these simple changes will transform your ball striking and you’ll see your scores tumble.
If you
would like to see more of Dan and his coaching you can check out Dan’s online coaching platform here.Golfers Jaswant Sidhu and Pete John of Wergs Golf club could hardly believe their luck when they both made back-to-back hole-in-ones! The astonishing feat not only occurred for the pair in the same round, but on the same hole in consecutive shots. To put this into context the odds of this happening are estimated at 17 million to one. The hole in question was the 145-yard par three fifth, which got their rounds in the Friday Senior Stableford off to an unbelievable start.
Sidhu fired his ace first, with John following it up moments later. Sidhu told the Express and Star:
“It was incredible, I teed off first. I knew I’d hit it well but when the ball went in, I couldn’t believe it. I remember joking I wanted to get to the green first to confirm it. “There were a few celebrations and once that had settled down, Pete hit his shot and it was like an action replay. None of us knew what to say. I think we were all in shock. It is a miracle, really.” John also spoke to the Express and Star: “To get one is special. You never really think about it and you certainly never expect it, not least when you’ve just watched someone else do it. To see two in as many shots really is amazing. I’d never heard of it happening before. I’ve been playing at the Wergs for more than 10 years. There are three par 3 holes on the course and the fifth is probably the toughest of those. You’ve got bunkers to the left and the right and accuracy is key. Friday was clearly our day. The next time I played a round, on Monday, I sent my tee shot straight into the bunker.”
If you’ve got any incredible stories of hole-in-ones happening at your club please get in touch as we would love to include them in our next issue.
Ex-Staffordshire County player Richard Mansell was rewarded for the success of his 2022 season with a spot in the inaugural Hero Cup. Captained by Ryder Cup stalwart Tommy Fleetwood, the Great Britain and Ireland Team including Mansell, took on Continental Europe in Abu Dhabi. It was a successful week for Mansell, who performed well throughout the week. His performance would have caught the eye of Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald who was keeping a close watch on proceedings with Ryder Cup taking place in Rome this September.
Mansell partnered Ewan Ferguson throughout the week and came up against some of Continental Europe’s brightest stars. Mansell and Ferguson had drawn their opening two matches in the fourballs and foursomes format, before Mansell was defeated in the singles.
The Burntwood-born golfer is the first Staffordshire player to play in a Professional representative team match play format since David Lynn played in the Seve Cup back in 2013. The Hero Cup was bought in to replace the Seve Cup, which was last played ten years ago.
Mansell took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the week: “Incredible week from start to finish with this great group of guys. Absolutely gutted to not get the result we wanted but that’s matchplay. Massive congrats to a very strong European team. Was very proud to start my 2023 season representing Team GB&I.” We wish Richard the best of luck for the rest of the season in his pursuit of his first win on Tour and a place on Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team in September.
Is there someone at your club that goes above and beyond? Has there been a hole-in-one or an exceptional score? Do you have a special event happening in the coming months? Have you redecorated the clubhouse?
We want to know! Let us know of anything exciting going on at your club and we’ll try and find a spot in the next edition! E-mail: secretary@staffsgolfclubs.org.uk
As of the time of publication our 2023 competition schedule has just gone live.
Make sure you’re following us on social media to keep up with all the latest news from around Staffordshire: @staffsgolfclubs
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Answer: A) Gain relief by moving your ball to the nearest point of relief inside the bunker but no closer to the hole
