DOWNS TROPHY

The Downs Trophy, held annually at Purley Downs Golf Club, returns this year on Sunday 24th September

Since 1971, some of the best players in the south east of England head to Purley Downs to compete in the Downs Trophy, a 36-hole scratch event traditionally held in the autumn months of September or October.

The past winners list is rich in talent. It includes the infamous Reg Glading (1972), well-known local players such as Alan Way from Woodcote Park (1983), Bruce Hilsdon (1984), and Purley’s serial winner, Mike Kirby (1987 and 1990). Former England players James Heath, Ed Richardson, Tom Thurloway and Ben Wheeler have also had success in the Downs Trophy in previous years.

Last year’s winner was Richard Marett from Royal Wimbledon with 143 (75 – 68), his afternoon score being the best on the day by 4 shots. The club looks forward to welcoming Richard back to defend the trophy.

As one of the final qualifying competitions for the Surrey Order of Merit, the Downs Trophy attracts players looking for valuable points late on in the season.

The Purley Downs club recently celebrated 125 years, founded in 1894 on the free-draining downland slopes of South London. The chalk base layer means the course is playable all year round, and is at its best when running hard and fast. Thanks to recent investment and good management the greens are fast and true, but the many subtle undulations and slopes provide a challenge to golfers of every level.

Purley Downs Golf Club course was designed by J.H. Taylor, one of the famous triumvirate of Taylor, Vardon and Braid. The course is not now long enough for elite professionals but it was in 1933 when Percy Alliss won The News of the World Professional Matchplay there.

The course also benefits from some of the finest views over London. From the highest vantage points you have a wonderful panoramic view, taking in sights such as Wembley Stadium, the London Eye, the Shard, Gherkin, Canary Wharf, along with many other City landmarks. Hampstead Heath.

Harrow-on-the Hill and the Chilterns are also visible.

The course begins with what has been described as “perhaps the best opening par-3 in golf”, a downhill hole of 160 yards, in front of the clubhouse and often with a watching crowd. The front 9 contains 3 long par 4’s, in particular the 6th measuring 464 yards, uphill and normally into the prevailing wind. Many of the back 9 holes are lower down and less affected by the wind, and scoring tends to be better than the more difficult front 9. In particular, the short par 3 15th and driveable par 4 16th offer birdie chances before the final two testing holes. The course par is 70 with a course rating of 71.1 and a slope of 124 from the championship tees.

Oszkar Lazar is one of few people to be a multiple winner of the Downs Trophy (1995 and 2001).

“I’ve played in this event on many occasions, having briefly been a member at Purley, and always looked forward to returning. The course is presented in fantastic condition. The challenge is dealing with the slopes and invariably a bit of a breeze!

The first time I won, I decided, on the practice putting green just before my tee-time, to try a reverse grip for the first time, having seen it on TV. Couldn’t miss all day. The second time was when the Downs was played in October, and it was wet and windy. I won that year being the last-man-standing rather than shooting the lights out! Now I’m eligible for senior events, I think I’ll leave it this year for the young guns!

I thoroughly recommend playing in the Downs Trophy to prove you’re up for the challenge!”

The entry details are on the club website www.purleydowns.co.uk

Entry this year will be online only and the cost of £70 includes breakfast rolls, lunch, afternoon tea and substantial prizes.

Entries close on Monday 4th September 2023