BIGBURY Golf Club were proud to recently host the England Golf “Race to Woodhall Spa” Area Final and the good weather helped make the event most successful.

There were 55 women and 33 men from across the South of England on the course making for a very busy day at the club. Richard Shapland and his team of green keepers presented the course in fabulous condition and along with the club’s employees and an army of volunteers, ensured the event was such a success. Indeed, the feedback from England Golf and those taking part was that “we have really put Bigbury Golf Club on the map”.

Roger Edwards and Sarah West who won the Club Qualifying Competitions had the honour of playing on the day, proudly donning their Bigbury Golf Club colours.

Sarah reports that: “They both had to be up very early because they were in the early tee times; Sarah started at 8:10am and Roger 8:20am. The weather was very kind on the Sunday as during the practice round the day before, a cloud literally burst above the course, bringing torrential rain and thunderstorms, making the bunkers fill up and putting the greens many inches under water.

“Many thought the bunkers would be out of play for the competition but in true Bigbury spirit, the greens team led by our amazing Richard were all up and on the course very early, sorting the bunkers and greens out before the players were on the tee.

Sarah was unlucky and her 7th place meant she was only just out of qualifying to go forward to play at Woodhall Spa in the overall final, the only positive being the lack of a five-and-a-half-hour drive.

Lewis Goodwin, the England Golf Tournament Manager, spoke very highly of Bigbury in his appraisal.

“On Sunday 19 May 2024, I had the pleasure of running the event listed above [Race to Woodhall Spa]. From the six-month planning process up to the tournament day, each area of the club were incredibly supportive. Richard and the green-keeping team presented the course in fantastic condition after 21mm of rain the day prior to the event.

“The catering team executed a 'tournament menu' from sunrise to sunset on tournament day for 90 players plus caddies as well as tournament officials, without a single error. The pro shop team presented all 8 buggies each morning and provided each player with a £15 pro shop voucher. Finally, the management of the club was fantastic from start to finish, a venue I will recommend to any player or organisation interested in visiting. A great place for golf!”

Bigbury Golf Club’s reputation is on the rise once again in the wake of this well-attended event.