Cold Ashby’s members will be keeping a close eye on the Open Championship this weekend since the winner’s face will soon become part of their clubhouse surroundings
With the 142nd tournament starting today (Thursday) at Muirfield and finishing on Sunday, the club have honoured each of the previous 79 different winners with a photo on the wall in their main bar.
Club owner David Croxton said: “We always look forward to adding new faces to our Open Championship wall. Willie Park snr is the first picture following his success in the inaugural event in 1860.
“Last year’s champion Ernie Els was already up following his previous victory in 2002, meaning Darren Clarke was the last new face in 2011. It would be nice to add another British winner this year.”
In the most recent club competition, back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th holes helped Richard Green win the July Medal on countback from the consistent James Wallis.
Both men compiled a net 65 to nudge a single stroke ahead of Jim Burberry, David Munday, Ashley Lloyd, Spencer Daniels, James Lovett and James Gibson.
Farthingstone
Ian Donald claimed a gross and net double in the Club Championships as the four-handicapper fired gross rounds of 72 and 73.
With two of the leading contenders Paul Hodgkiss and Matt Hodgkiss on county duty, Donald completed his last seven holes on day two in two-under-par to finish seven clear of ex-champion Darren Matthews.
Hellidon Lakes
Paul Craig was crowned club champion after he birdied the eighth, 12th and 13th holes in the second round to secure a three-shot win from Paul Upfield in the 36-hole tournament.
The second division prize went to Lloyd Rawlins (173) by a single stroke from Malcolm Gregory. The Hellidon Scut was claimed by Keith Meadham (38 points) by one from Tom Upfield and Ashley Starbuck.
Northampton
David Haggan completed his last eight holes in gross level par to grab a countback victory from high-handicapper Keith Roddis (net 68) in the fourth round of the Northampton Cup.
The best gross score of 69 came from Simon Williams, who eagled both the third and 11th holes.
Forty points was the leading mark in both the top two divisions of the July Stableford & Cancer Spoon Competition as Linda Sherry and Jennie Woods took the respectively honours.
Overstone Park
Billy Beard bagged a hole-in-one on the 17th hole during the July White Tee Midweek Stableford as the five-handicapper carded a tally of 41 points.
The score still wasn’t enough to claim the top prize as Ian Kennedy’s gross level par round, which included three birdies, clinched the honours by a single point.
Rushden
Rushden has become the newest 18-hole golf course in Northamptonshire after the club officially opened its new set of nine holes over the weekend.
Club captain Tony Johnson had the honour of striking the first drive as he used a vintage hickory club to hit his ball down the middle of the opening fairway on Saturday.
Kingsthorpe
Raq Mistry led the way on Captains Day as the high-handicapper compiled an excellent score of net 60 to finish two ahead of Chris Spickett, with Neil Picton in third on 65.
With the members enjoying the hot weather, skipper Paul Walters handed over the gross prize to Peter Scott, who bagged three birdies in a round of 71.
Collingtree
Craig McClurg smashed a magnificent tally of 46 points to win the fourth round of the Colonial event by three from Lamont Montezu.
On a good day for scoring, Paul Woodbridge (41) was runner-up on countback from Mark Johnson, with former skipper Craig Robb and Patrick Kennedy a further point adrift.
Cherwell Edge
Three gross birdies in a fluctuating round of net 65 secured first prize for 17-handicapper Peter Sprey in the July Medal.
Matt Draper (net 68) won the first division by a single shot from Ben Anderson and Kevin Cole, while Phil Collett (68) led the way in the third category by one stroke.
Brampton Heath
David Mayes overcame a slight wobble towards the end of the fifth round in the Seniors Golfer of the Year Comp as he compiled a winning net 64. Brian Bentley was three shots back in second.
In the seventh ladies Order of Merit event of the season, Ruth Easton’s net 71 proved sufficient to win the Midsummer Major as she finished two ahead of Gillian Sparrow and Helen Milner.
Staverton
Paul Johnson birdied the 17th and parred the 18th to finish two ahead of Gary Dorney on Captain’s Day with 42 points. Chris Pendlebury, Andrew Swain, Steve Barns and Josh Morris all bagged 38.
The Over-65s Comp witnessed an even better score as Brian Scott fired 43 points from the yellow tees to beat Guy Gibbins by three.
Daventry
Peter Montgomery’s net 65 was the leading score in the Summer Medal as the 17-handicapper finished two shots clear of Chris Duff and first division leader James Berry.
Helen Primett enjoyed a convincing victory in the Ladies July Medal as a round of net 75 gave her a five-shot advantage from Lynda Partis and Jean Poolton.
Silverstone
Mark Riley warmed up for this weekend’s Club Championships in the best possible way as he won the latest Pro Shop Stableford with 41 points. Ian Bradley was second on countback from Barry Goodman on 37.
Delapre
Anne Wright underlined her position as the best golfer at the club as she completed a gross (159) and net (141) double in the 36-hole Ladies Club Championship.
Whittlebury
A brilliant total of 47 points clinched the Tom Cliff Trophy for Geoffrey Picken in the latest 9 O’Clock Club Competition.