A record-equalling 63 on the JH Taylor course was among the highlights of two prestigious tournaments for elite amateur men and women golfers staged over a four-day period last week at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club in south-west London.
Firstly, a strong field of 60 players competed in the 72-hole Peter Alliss Memorial event over two days (5-6 July), with a handicap range of 0.0 to +5.6. The winner was Charlie Forster from Basingstoke Golf Club with a combined score of 270.
Recording an impressive final round of 65 on the 6,360-yard par 69 course, his 6-under par total bettered second place Jackson Garnett from Five Lakes Golf Club in Essex by two shots. Garnett himself shot an outstanding 63 in the second round, equalling the course record previously held by former Ryder Cup Captain Bernard Gallacher, to finish one place higher than Charlotte Brook of Parkstone Golf Club in Dorset, leaving just three shots between first and third place.
The World Amateur Ranking event named after the legendary commentator and former member of Royal Mid-Surrey provided Forster with a prize of £700 and prizes were awarded down to sixth place.
Two days later, over the same course renowned for its humps and hollows, the historic 36-hole foursomes tournament known as The Antlers – held exclusively at Royal Mid-Surrey over a span of 90 years – featured 40 pairs of accomplished players from around the UK competing for the trophy unique to the club.
Open to mixed pairs for the first time and golfers of all ages with a handicap of 8.0, the winning pairing with the lowest scratch score was Rocky Chapman and Reggie Fear from the Wentworth Club. Coming to terms with the fast USGA-standard greens, they combined for an excellent score of 144 in the alternate shot format to win by three shots.
“Royal Mid-Surrey is very proud to have hosted two prestigious competitions for some of the country’s leading amateur players in the same week and there where some truly outstanding scores recorded,” said Mark Gailey, General Manager. “Both events were seen as a huge success and the course conditions remained at a superb standard throughout the week, despite the size of the fields involved. Great credit must go to the club’s greenkeeping team for such a tremendous effort.”
The JH Taylor course was designed by the five-time Open Championship winner, in addition to the neighbouring Pam Barton course named after the US & British Open heroine and club member. Taylor served as the club’s first professional and was followed in that capacity by fellow Open champions Henry Cotton and Max Faulkner, who accounted for nine Claret Jug victories between them.