Essex Golf Union

Thursday 20th July 2016

Winner 2017 Arron Edwards-Hill (Chelmsford) with 3rd place Ryan Cox (Warley Park)

​Warley Park Golf Club was the venue for this year’s Clifford’s Trophy following the closing of long term host club, Channels Golf Club. Warley Park was presented in great condition and the weather was kind for the majority of the day, all be it a little windy, the rain stayed away despite grey skies throughout the day with the occasional burst of sunshine, leading to fluctuating temperatures and tricky conditions.

The conditions were not the only concern as for competitors as an accident on the A12 led to a delayed start and some not making it to the event on time. Despite all of this, Will Boniface of Five Lakes arrived with just minutes to prepare, run to the first tee and managed to open  with a joint course record of 64 (-7) in the morning. Narrowly missing his 63 by missing a putt on 18 that understandably had gained some interest from spectators. The next best was four shots back on 68 (-3), these included Arron Edwards-Hill (Chelmsford), Ryan Cox (Warley Park) and Lukas Warren (Thorndon Park). Joshua Read (Three Rivers) was sat in 5th place on his own with an opening 69.

Some impressive morning rounds set up the afternoon for a fantastic climax. The competitors were all grateful for a slight delay, offering most, more time to prepare for the afternoon round. Many had assumed it was now a one-horse race, but we all know how cruel golf can be at times. The quality of golf in the afternoon did not disappoint either. A further 9 players breaking par in the afternoon saw the field tighten slightly. So much so that level par for the 36 holes could only ensure a 7th place finish. Our County Champion Curtis Knipes (Abridge) was one of those sat on Level Par for the two rounds. Lukas Warren (Thorndon Park) was one better with Ben Wyatt (The Rayleigh Club) finishing on 140 (-2) for the day. Joshua Read (Three Rivers) nearly matched his two under par morning round of 69 but narrowly missing out for a 70, leaving him on 139 (-2) for the day, taking 4th place. Ryan Cox’s (Warley Park) pair of 68’s earned him 3rd place on his own with 136 (-6). Will Boniface’s 64 in the morning was always going to be tough to match, his level par round of 71 in the afternoon meant he finished the day on 135 (-7), a very good score that normally would have been good enough to lift the Clifford’s Trophy. However, the 68 in the morning was improved on by one shot by Arron Edwards-Hill, managing a 67 in the afternoon resulted in matching Boniface’s 135 total. Arron may be thankful that Counback is the deciding factor in the Clifford’s Trophy.

The Club Captain helped present the prizes and Arron made reference to the quality of the way the course was presented as well as thanking the Essex Golf Union and Warley Park for organising the event. The Essex Golf Union also paid their thanks to Warley Park in hosting the competition and presenting the venue in such fine condition, going on to thank their members and staff.