THE NATIONAL NINES
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
PRESS RELEASES
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Date: November 2008
Release: Fairway To Green Magazine
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Date: November 2008
Release: Fairway To Green Magazine
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Home wins for three Selsey teams
100 years old this year, Selsey Golf Club, took full advantage of playing at home in the second Regional Final of the National Nines Open Championship last week. The Selsey Club that was built in 1908 at the cost of £3,000 and was in tip top condition for the Regional Final. In very blustery but beautifully sunny weather a full number of player entries enjoyed the ideal surroundings of downs and coast. 'Local knowledge' came to the aid of the home Club who took the top three places. Sam Hassall, Harry Pyett and Kevin Fielder of the Selsey ‘B’ side securing their place for the Grand Final, later this year, in Jersey with a winning Stableford score of 97.
Another Selsey team of Martin Kay, David Thompson and Jason Arnold took second place with a fine 95 points just two off the leaders. Third place went to Brian Rogers, Jeff Wootton and Brian Blackman with 91. Brian Rogers and his team at Selsey also prepared the course to its usual fantastic high standard and visiting teams were thrilled to compete at this great venue. This nine hole course has multi-tee positions.
Organiser of the competition Elaine Purton said, “ Our thanks to all involved at Selsey for their efforts. Selsey are celebrating their centenary this year and our best wishes go to the team for all the upcoming events planned.”
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Right on Kew for Great Torrington
The first regional qualifying round for the National Nines Open Championship has been won by the Great Torrington ‘A’ team competing at the magnificent St Kew Golf Club close to Bodmin Moor in Cornwall overlooking the camel estuary. The victorious team of Tony Gooch, Mark Hill and Mark Coles from the Great Torrington Golf Club, set in one of the most beautiful parts of North Devon, scored a combined total of 97 Stableford points. The private members Club was formed in 1895. The team each received National Nines suit carriers but more importantly an all expenses paid trip to Jersey for the final later in the year is now assured.
Winning captain Tony Gooch said “It has been a well organized event and the St Kew course is similar in many ways to ours, testing throughout and you need to be accurate. The competition is popular here at Great Torrington so we had two teams entered. Our ‘B’ team were runners up so we will have to buy them a drink or two.”
Elaine Purton who arranges the competitions said “It was a great start. Our thanks go to John Brown and other members of the St Kew Golf Club organizing group for putting on a fantastic day. The course was in great condition and as in previous years a firm favourite with all the competitors. We are still receiving entries for the competition for the other regional qualifiers, details are on our website www.nationalninesgolf.co.uk
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National Nines to attract 2,500
Invitations went out this week to enter the National Nines Open Championships 2008 which is exclusive to those golfers who belong to any of the 538 British nine hole golf clubs. After 10 years, under the guidance of Colin Henderson, the tournament will be run for the first time by the new owners of the event, who are based at the Foxbridge Golf Club in West Sussex.
Those golfers who are members at 9 hole clubs can enter a three man team and through 17 regional qualifying tournaments endeavor to qualify for the grand final in September at the impressive Les Ormes 9 hole golf course in Jersey. The cost of entry is £30 per player. Regional winners will have their flights to Jersey and three nights accommodation at the Les Ormes Lodge and Leisure Village paid for. The qualifiers will play for the opportunity to become the National Nines Open Champions 2008.
Announcing the opening of bookings for the event, together with the starting of a new website www.nationalninesgolf.co.uk Tournament Director Neil Burke said “Last year the event attracted more than 2000 players. This year the indications are that we will exceed that number, such is the interest now in 9 hole clubs in the UK. Players should find it easy to register on-line. Elaine Purton will administer the running of the event from our Foxbridge Golf Club.”
‘Get Noticed’ the national marketing company, that specialises in washroom and on premises advertising panels, is supporting the promotion of the event.
Date: 24 October 2007
Release to: Golf news, golf monthly & all golfing press and media
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Nine Hole Courses get a major boost
Neil Burke and Matthew Allen, the dynamic co-owner duo of the Horne Park Golf Centre in South Godstone, Surrey has acquired the rights to the National Nines of Europe Golf Series. Neil Burke, Director of Golf said “This is one of the most exciting moments in my career. The Finals of this year’s competition has just been completed in Jersey with 60 people playing representing the cream of the UK’s nine hole clubs. We fully believe that quality 9 holes courses will be part of the future of golf in Britain.”
Neil Burke said “Since the English Golf Union ( EGU) has recognised that it is acceptable to run qualifying events over 9 holes things have really moved on in our world of golf. We believe totally in the future success of nine hole clubs.” Throughout the year 14 Regional Finals are played all over the UK, Ireland, and France by members of nine hole golf clubs. Neil Burke said “No longer are nine hole golf courses the Cinderella’s of the sport. Our two courses here at Horne Park and at Foxbridge in Sussex near Billingshurst, are outstanding examples. Many golfers forget there are 538 nine hole courses in Britain. Catering for a market where time is important, especially among women, seniors and business men, the nine hole has many advantages.”
After 10 years masterminding the ‘National Nines’, Colin Henderson is stepping down as organiser having initiated the concept. He said “People should forget their perceptions of flat, short and uninteresting courses. Many of the 180 nine hole courses I have visited during my 10 years running the events are remarkable such as Reigate Heath, Foxbridge and the City of Belfast. Some are up to 7000 yards long and others over 100 years old. Anybody who still feels that nine hole courses are the poor relation should wake up and get real. Looking down at St Helens Bay, Bangor, County Down in Northern Ireland you cannot fail to be impressed by the sheer splendour of the course and its location. Like many others in the UK it has a magnificent club house that puts, in my view, the Royal Birkdale in the shade.”
Colin Henderson said “I obviously have mixed feelings regarding passing the business on to Neil and Matthew, however I am very confident the event is in safe hands. I am proud of what I have achieved but there is still a long way to go.”
At the time of going to press Neil Burke said that he was close to signing a major sponsorship deal for the event.
Press & PR: Paul Foster Marketing & PR Tel: 01737 353887
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