Jake retains title at majestic Hoylake

The Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs were delighted to have the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake host the 98th County Championship.
Understandably there was a full entry of top players from across Cheshire aiming to play one of the top courses in the UK over three days of intense competition.
As well as a fabulous course in pristine and challenging condition the players were able to enjoy the excellent hospitality in the historic clubhouse which has its many historic golf competitions displayed in the clubhouse.
The weather was also very pleasant with the final day of the competition treated to wall to wall sunshine and some fantastic views across the River Dee Estuary.
The quality of the course was reflected in the scoring over the first two days with many players struggling with the course challenge.
The first round leader was Paul McFerran of Warrington GC with a best of the competition 68.
It also helped Paul to the prize for the Best Over 35 Years with his aggregate of 303.
Leading after 36 holes at the end of Day Two was Joe Sephton (Wallasey) with 70, 73-142 which won him the Darlington Trophy, and the top individual score on the day of 71 was posted by Liam Gobin (Sandiway).
The third round top score on the final day was 71 from Ben Buchanan (Dunham Forest) and Joe Sephton went into the final round with a two shot lead from reigning champion Jake Hibbert (Warrington).
Then Jake stepped up a gear and showed his intent with some super golf taking him into a healthy lead and he kept his nerve and momentum to post a final round of 70 and a winning score of 290 to retain the historic trophy.

Jake Hibbert makes a remarkable recovery from a dreadful lie in the cavernous bunker guarding the 8th green during the third round
Joe Sephton drives on the 9th

The best final round score came from Jack Nicholson (Vicars Cross) who won a card play off on 70 from Jake.
Jake is the first player to retain the Championship Trophy after a first win since Cheshire legend David Horsey (Styal GC) did it in 2006.
As well as the championship trophy Jake also won the TPD Taylor Trophy for the Leading Colt aged 22 years and under and helped his Warrington team of Jon Beesley and Paul McFerran to the club Team Championship with a 906 total score.They will represent Cheshire in the English Champion Club Tournament at Stanton-on-the-Wolds in September.
Jake will also represent Cheshire in the English County Champions Tournament at Woodhall Spa on Sunday September 15.
Also winning trophies and prizes were Ryan Owen (Wilmslow) with the Israel Sidebottom Trophy as the championship runner-up with 295, Liam Gobin third with 298, Sam Burton (Prestbury) fourth with 299.
Cheshire President Roy Claxton (Eaton GC) presented the trophies and prizes to all of the winners and gave deserving praise to all of the county organisers and players and all at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club for providing a magnificent venue and course which will live long in the memory of all of the players and their supporters.
He also presented a CUGC plaque to the Royal Liverpool Captain for hosting the competition.

Jake with President Roy Claxton
Paul McFerran, 0ver-35s winner
Joe Sephton, leading qualifier
Team winners, Warrington GC
Ryan Owen, runner-up

Final results

Copy: Geoff Garnett
Images, Geoff Garnett, Jerry Dixon & Bob Hamilton

Share This Post

More To Explore

Lymm too strong for Under 14s

Cheshire’s Under-14s Boys team faced a tough task as they took on a strong Lymm boys team recently Team manager Graham McCormack said: “We were so lucky with the weather today, unfortunately we were not so lucky with the result, losing 6-3 to a quite strong Lymm side. “Ironically Tomas

Read More »

Defeat on the road for Boys Team

Cheshire Boys made the long trip to Durham to begin their defence of the Northern Counties Junior League. We were missing several key players who were either injured or unavailable and it proved to be vital against a team, including one local member, very familiar with an interesting course at

Read More »

Reddish Vale are excellent hosts for Life Members

This is the 60th anniversary year of the Cheshire Life Members. Introduced primarily to strengthen links to the affiliated clubs, the number of “Lifers” has swelled to over 1,000, with our fist ladies having joined after unification with the CCLGA last year. We have seven competitions each year at different

Read More »

Dan completes Bramhall double at Wallasey

Dan Hayes (Bramhall GC) came out on top in brutal windy conditions to win the prestigious 36-hole scratch Frank Stableford at Wallasey on 25th May. He beat a strong field with a total of 71 points, including an incredible 38 point second round. Cheshire team mates Joe Sephton and Josh

Read More »

Red Roses rule at Sandiway

Sandiway Golf Club has staged many top county, regional and national competitions over the years and they again showed their class in hosting the Northern Counties Veteran Ladies Golf Championships over three days. The quality of the course, superb hospitality, great support from Sandiway members and staff and slick organisation

Read More »

Josh wins Caldy Quart

Congratulations to Josh Sims of the home club, who has won his first Caldy Quart. Josh, who is Cheshire Golf’s Player Development Director and a long-standing county men’s team member, scored 71+69 for a 140 total in the ever-popular 36-hole scratch competition. With the course running fast after several weeks

Read More »