GREENKEEPER CLINCHES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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 Origin Amenity Solutions.
 
James pipped three-time winner David Simpson of Crieff Golf Club by a single stroke to lift the BIGGA National Challenge Trophy, contested 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.
 
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.”
 
Andy Wood, golf course manager at Enville Golf Club, said, “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.”
 
The 2023 BIGGA National Championship will take place at Saunton Golf Club on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th September 2023.