Tom Hawkings from Sunningdale Golf Club wins the Surrey Seniors Championship

Surrey Golf

Tom Hawkings from Sunningdale Golf Club wins the Surrey Seniors Championship

The 2023 Seniors Championship was held at The Richmond golf Club, and what a superb venue this was, a very tricky but fair test of golf as the scores showed.

This Championship is played over two days, after 18 holes on the first day, the top thirty scores and ties qualify for the second day and with close to sixty entries the competition to gain a spot for the second day was competitive to say the least. This was a quality field for sure.

After the first round the leading scores were WHS Jackson (Woking) and Tom Hawkins (Sunningdale) both shooting an excellent 69, 1 under par, closely followed by Nigel Pimm (Surbiton) and Ian Attoe (Worplesdon) with solid 72’s, with several players a further one or two shots further back. Meaning there would be a good mix of players in contention for the Championship in the second round, we were no doubt in for an interesting and exciting second round, and so it proved!

As it should be, on the second round the leading players would go out at the back of the field.

Adrian Mitchell (Royal Mid-Surrey) came in with a fine two over par 72 improving on his first round of 75 for a 147 total and the Clubhouse lead, however this was pushed back when previous winner of the Championship Keith Waters (West Byfleet) matched his second round of 72 to go with a 74 for a combined 146.

Joint first round leader WHP Jackson could not match his previous days score coming in with a 76 for a 145 total which was only good enough for 4th place, losing out 3rd place on countback to Nigel Pimm who had a 73 to go with his 72 for to also finish on 145.

Ian Attoe had the best second round score with a level par 70 to put him in top spot with a combined 142, this overall total was matched by Tom Hawkins who putted out for a 73 to go with his 69. So, it would be a play of, this would be sudden death using the 1st & 18th holes.

And it was Tom Hawkins who prevailed with a superb birdie on the first play off hole, an excellent finish to what had been a quality event at a quality venue. Many of the players commented on the excellent condition of course, especially the greens.

Our thanks to the Club, the staff, who looked after us so well and the members for allowing us to use their wonderful course for this prestigious event.

Steve McNeill

County Secretary