Middlesex sides impress in 2008

Posted on 18/02/09. Source: Fairway to Green Magazine (By Mike Willcox (MCGU))

It is many years since the President Dennis Walker has been able to report on such a good season as 2008 for our county teams and many individuals.

The first team finished unbeaten in their league matches and were unlucky to miss out on top spot by virtue of a count-back of the singles matches against Essex.

Likewise the youth's team finished level on points with Essex but again lost out on the title on game points.

The performances of both teams were a credit to the county and it was only by the slimmest of margins that we missed out on a fantastic double.

Individually, the outstanding player was Hendon's Luke Goddard. He was capped for England in the Home Internationals, represented England in the Eisenhower Trophy in Australia, in the Portugal Nations Cup where he won the individual title and in Argentina where he won the amateur title.

He also won the South of England Open Amateur Championship at Walton Heath and was runner up in the Finnish Amateur Championship.

Youngster Harry Casey, from Enfield GC, also showed outstanding promise and apart from winning the under-18 and under-16 championships he won the Douglas Johns Trophy, was selected to play for the England under-16 team against Scotland and is in the under-16 winter training squad. He also qualified to play in the grand final of the Faldo Series in Brazil.

Justin Phelps, from Ruislip, won, for the fourth consecutive year, the English Public Golf Courses  Championship at Woodhall Spa, while David Ginn and Tommy King, both from Sudbury GC, won the London Amateur Foursomes at Moor Park.

Scott Fallon, from Hendon GC (pictured) was outstanding in winning both the County Championship and the matchplay Gowland Trophy.

In short, it has been a terrific season for many of our players and the results reflect not only the dedication and abilities of the players but also the input of our squad of coaches; Matt Deal, Neil Smith and Ricky Willinson and the excellent practice facilities at Northwick Park.

Hopefully these results will be bettered this coming season.

Finally, on behalf of Middlesex County Golf Union, I would like to thank all the individuals and clubs who support us by welcoming team fixtures and championships. As a county with relatively few clubs the onus often falls on the same clubs and their willingness to accommodate is much appreciated.

Happy golfing for 2009!

Mike Willcox
MCGU Secretary