September 2009


Sean Whiffin, Wayne Richardson, Toby Tye with Vivien Saunders

Sean Whiffin, Wayne Richardson, Toby Tye with Vivien Saunders OBE

Friday 18th September had 27 teams playing in this years Pro-am. The pro-am was the final event in a three day tournament, which had the top Golf Club professionals from around the region playing in the PGA East Region “Order of Merit”. The Meridian Classic.

With the professionals selected from the previous two days “Order of Merit” the teams were matched up.  The playing conditions couldn’t have been any better with the course being in bright sunshine and very little wind the day got under way.

The PGA set the tone with some professionalism, announcing the teams as they were timed to tee off and refereeing the match throughout the day.

The day was closely fought by all and this showed in the returning scores and only 12 shots between the top of the board and the bottom.

The overall winning team on the day were Sean Whiffin (Professional from The Hertfordshire Golf & CC) Wayne Richardson, Toby Tye and Adam Etock with an excellent score of 130.

In 2nd place all with 133 were Richard Beadles, S Moses, J Roake & P Vater.

In 3rd place also with 133 were Mark Sturgess, K Bryce-Smith, M Marx & G Mortimier.

Richard Beadles from the Royal Worlington & Newmarket GC was the overall winning professional on the day with a score of 67.

The nearest the pin on the 17th went to Toby Tye from the Cambrdge Meridian Golf Club.

The longest drive on the 14th ladies’ went to Ruth Lindley from the Hartlepool Golf Club

The longest drive on the 14th gents went to Richard Lee from the Cambridge Meridian Golf Club

But the day must go to Kathy Stewart from Cooden Beach Golf Club, who took the nearest the pin on the 3rd hole with a hole in one.

Kathy Stewart (on left) wins with a hole in one

Kathy Stewart (on left) wins with a hole in one

The whole three day tournament was a brilliant success and all that took part left the club a little happier.

On collecting thier presentations from Vivien Saunders OBE.  Toby Tye from the winning team, thanked all the Professionals and ametuer golfers who took part. The sponsors of the event. To Jenny Wisson and Vivien Saunders the owners of Cambridge Meridian for hosting the tournament. To the PGA  East Region and to all the staff at the Meridian for an excellent tournament. He also said he looked forward to defending the title next year. 2010

Sean Whiffin, Jenny Wisson (Co Owner) Luke Eggleston

Sean Whiffin, Jenny Wisson (Co Owner) Luke Eggleston

Luke Eggleston takes the Crown

Wednesday and Thursday 16th & 17th September saw the club host the PGA East Region “Order of Merit” for the second year.

102 Professionals from across the region took part in this 2 day event.

The weather conditions on Wednesday were extremely windy and left a lot for the competitors to do the chase a good round. The scores coming back into the clubhouse reflected this with only eight players being able to come in under par or par the course.

The overnight leader for the first days play was Luke Eggleston of Orsett Golf Club with a score of 69 at 3 under. Luke was followed by Stuart Lunn-Walker (Rayleigh Golf Range), Jason Levermore (Clacton Golf Course), Andrew George (Ely City Colf Club), Chris Nunn (St Clere’s Hall Golf Club) and Andrew Tokley ( Stoke by Nayland Golf Club) all with a score of 71 at 1 under.

Thursday 17th Day 2 of this event had the pack out in overcast and slightly colder conditions than the day before but this did not deter the players. Sixteen of the golfer’s proved the conditions were better by returning scores coming in under par or paring the course.

The last three to go were the overnight leakers Luke Eggleston, Stuart Lunn-Walker & Andrew George. All three played some excellent golf during the day, but the day and event went to Luke Eggleston by returning a score of 70 at 2 under to complete the tournament with a score of 139 at 5 under for the 2 days.

The final positions for the competition were, first place Luke Eggleston from Orsett Golf Club with a score of 139 at 5 under. In second position was Andrew Clapp from Brickendon Grange Golf Club with a score of 141 at 3 under and in joint 3rd postion was Noel Quinn from Whipsnade Golf Club, Mark Baker from Colchester Golf Club and Stuart Lunn-Walker from Rayleigh Golf Range all with a score of 143 at 1 under.

With the presentation of the trophy from Jenny Wisson co owner of Cambridge Meridian Golf Club, Luke thanked the players, sponsors, PGA and the Golf Club for an excellent tournament.

With a score of 144, at par for the competition. Sean Whiffin, from the Hertfordshire Golf Club, becomes the overall winner of the PGA Eas Region “Order of Merit” 2009