New Year golf survives at Mannings Heath - but only just

With Covid-19 lockdown rules restricting play to socially distanced two-balls and no gatherings allowed in the clubhouse, Mannings Heath’s traditional New Year’s Day competition inevitably lacked some of its usual conviviality this year.
By Bob Hooper
Published 9th Jan 2021, 10:30 BST
Winner - Margaret BrownWinner - Margaret Brown
Winner - Margaret Brown

It also lacked its traditional trophy, the Goodfellowship Cup, which the club plan to have contested at a later date in hopefully more sociable conditions.

Despite the restrictions nearly 50 competitors enjoyed a day free from rain or frost and made the most of forward winter tees to post some impressive scores.

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John Cornell’s opening round of 2021 was not so much a flying start as a rocket-propelled one as he carded an astonishing 45 points off a twelve handicap while Kit Lofthouse and Tony Moss were only just behind with scores of 44 and 43.

Eighteen players posted scores of 36 or better, testimony to the condition of the course and particularly the greens.

Cam Bates was the day’s leading junior with 32 and Margaret Brown headed the distaff side with 29.

The competition was the club’s first to be played under the new World Handicap System and participants were pleased to find their new handicap indexes converted to playing handicaps for them on the club’s website without needing to reach for their calculators.