2022: Lynch clinches BIGGA National Championship at Enville
West Sussex Golf Club greenkeeper James Lynch won the BIGGA National Championship at the first attempt following two wonderful rounds of golf at Enville Golf Club.
Taking place on the 10th and 11th October, the event was hosted by the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and was sponsored by the association’s official Golf Partner, Origin Amenity Solutions.
A scratch golfer, James said: “It feels amazing and I’m so happy to have won such a prestigious tournament. It’s my first year that I’ve been playing in it and it was a battle to the end. The lead changed hands throughout the round and I’m so relieved that I was able to win. My thanks go to BIGGA, Origin Amenity Solutions and Enville Golf Club for hosting such an amazing tournament.”
James pipped three-time winner David Simpson of Crieff Golf Club by a single stroke to lift the BIGGA National Challenge Trophy, contested for over Enville’s Highgate course. Located in Staffordshire, Enville is a Regional Open Qualifying venue that is also the current host of The R&A Girls U16 Amateur Championship.
Playing in his first BIGGA National Championship, James shot two rounds of 74 to card a 4-over par 148, with David shooting 149 and previous winner Oly Browning of Queenwood Golf Club shooting 150.
In the Stableford competition, Tyler Holmes came out on top after shooting a combined total of 73 points. Anthony Duffield of Ham Manor Golf Club was second with 68 points.
James was accompanied throughout the two rounds by his fiancée April Watkins. The pair are due to marry in August next year, but with James set to defend the championship at Saunton Golf Club next September, he will have to convince April that Devon is a nice place to enjoy their honeymoon.
Andy Wood, golf course manager at Enville Golf Club, said: “It was a pleasure to host the BIGGA National Championship sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions. We always enjoy preparing the course for a championship, but to host this prestigious event for fellow greenkeepers is a real honour and I hope everyone enjoyed their visit to Enville. Our greenkeeping team has done the club proud in setting up for this event, which gave them an opportunity to showcase their work to fellow professionals.”
On behalf of Origin Amenity Solutions, Glen oward added: “It has been a fantastic two days. The course is looking amazing, we’ve been blessed with great weather and I’ve witnessed some cracking golf. It is a privilege to sponsor the BIGGA National Championship, which brings together golfers of all standards from across the association. It gives us an opportunity to catch up with people from within the industry, which I and the rest of the OAS team find invaluable. Congratulations to all the trophy winners, thank you to Enville Golf Club for a warm welcome and well done to all involved, particularly the greenkeeping team, who did a superb job.”
The 2023 BIGGA National Championship sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions will take place at Saunton Golf Club on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th September 2023.
Prize list
Gross - BIGGA National Championship Challenge Trophy
- James Lynch, West Sussex (+4)
- David Simpson, Crieff (+5)
- Oly Browning, Queenwood (+6)
Stableford - BIGGA National Championship Challenge Cup
Overall
- Tyler Holmes, unattached (73pts)
- Anthony Duffield, Ham Manor (68pts)
Team - BIGGA National Championship Regional Team Cup
South East: Sam Cook, Harpenden Common; David Warner, Woking; Ki Turner, Wexham Park; Andrew Ramsay, Mill Ride.
Other prizes
Round 1
Division 1 winner: Sam Cook, Harpenden Common, 40pts
Division 2 winner: Jack Poulton, Queenwood, 37pts
Division 3 winner: David Simpson, Crieff, 33pts
Nearest the pin: Chris Low, Walsall
Longest drive: Cassidy Steffens. Orsett
Round 2
Division 1 winner: Tyler Holmes, unattached, 41pts
Division 2 winner: -
Division 3 winner: Oly Browning, Queenwood, 35pts
Nearest the pin: Kevin Hilton, St Clements
Longest drive: James Lynch, West Sussex
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