Looking to the future - "The Stars of Tomorrow" Ever since I started to play golf, some 35 years ago, I was made aware of the best and most talented golfers in the area. My first visit to Leek Golf Club was to spectate at “the Holsten Pils Pro Am” which I believe was organised by Lyndon Davies. I made my way to the 1st tee and saw Duncan Evans begin his round by driving the green on the opening hole before comfortably beating his professional opponent. Duncan, as many of you will know, went on to win the British Amateur title, represent Great Britain in the Walker Cup and play in The Masters at Augusta. Other notable achievements include; Welsh Amateur Championship winner, Staffordshire County Singles and Foursomes Champion. Duncan was a Junior member at Leek Golf Club. Julie Brown went on to achieve international honours and won the British Ladies Seniors title at the first time of asking. Earlier in her career she won the Women’s German Open whilst playing on the European Tour. She also topped the British Order of Merit before embarking on a highly successful Seniors career. Julie was a Junior member at Leek Golf Club. Andy Stubbs went from playing on the European Tour as a professional to become a top and much respected European Tour referee following a playing career that included achieving runner up spots in both the British and English Amateur Championships, Staffordshire Amateur Championship (Stroke play) and Staffordshire Matchplay Champion. Andy was a Junior member at Leek Golf Club. Rob Parkes won the Staffordshire Amateur Title and the County’s Foursomes title before going on to play in the British and English Amateur Championships. Rob was a Junior member at Leek Golf Club. Jo Peacock won the Staffordshire Ladies Amateur Championship and also played in the English Girls Championship. Jo was a Junior member at Leek Golf Club. All of the above represented their County on many occasions and were proud to carry the flag for Leek Golf Club on the bigger stages of British Golf. I am sure that every single member at our Club is very proud of their past achievements. They are part of our Club’s history and demonstrate a great tradition that we have had for producing some top exponents of the game. More recently we have produced players who have turned to the professional ranks, namely Liam Hancock and Rich Marsden (Formby Hall) and we wish them much success in the future. At present we have our Junior Captain Harry Fearn who is playing off scratch whilst trying to break in to the England squad and Leann Nixon who is pursuing a golfing career at college in Nottingham. Zarak Curley is also showing potential to progress to higher levels. He is playing full time at Lee Westwood’s Golf Academy and reports suggest that he could be a scratch player by the end of this season. It is hoped that after reading this article that you may consider becoming a sponsor of our Junior section. If you feel that you would like to become a major sponsor and would like to advertise your company either on the team golf shirts or any literature that we distribute please contact me direct by email djgallimore99@gmail.com or call me on 07854 460414 and I will be pleased to discuss the opportunities in more detail. If you feel that you would like to make a donation, however small, please pass it on to our Club Professional Greg Rogula or myself and I promise you that it will be used in the most productive manner possible. We all know how difficult golf can be but if we give our “Stars of the Future” a chance then who knows? Wouldn’t you like to help? Be a part of it. Dave Gallimore (Junior Organiser) P.S. Before going to press I have received a generous donation of £100 from Rob Parkes who is supporting this new initiative in a very positive way. “We have got to protect the future of the game and give the Juniors’ at Leek the same opportunities that Duncan, Andy, Julie, Jo and I had” Junior Presentation Congratulations to all our juniors who were successful in last year’s Club competitions. We have now sourced Presentation Boxes for the prizes awarded at the 2017 Junior Presentation Evening and these will be distributed immediately following the Captain’s Team versus Junior’s Team Match on Saturday, 2th March. This is expected to be at approximately 2pm. It is hoped that the following Juniors will be available to collect their awards from the Club Captain Mr John Pennington. Please feel free to bring along your family and friends to celebrate your achievements. They will be made most welcome. Isabella Robinson - Leann Nixon - Lewis Martin - Harry Fearn (Captain) - Corey Wentworth - Bo Robinson - Callum Nixon - Jake Wilshaw - Zarak Curley - Jamie Dreya - Harry Flower - Isaac Smith - Peter Malkin. If you have any questions please contact Dave Gallimore (Junior Organiser) on 07854460414. We will look forward to seeing you. |