Cambridgeshire Golf Union
Jake Plumb wins County Championship at Gog Magog
The 2025 County Championship
The Wandlebury course at Gog Magog was set to host the major event in the CAGU calendar and the first big test for the competitors, after the completion of the bunker renovations. The course was in wonderful condition with fast running greens and made for good scoring with the fescue rough not yet reaching its full height.
The officials were hoping to get through the day’s play without any interruptions as thunder and lightning was forecast.
It was great to see so many CAGU juniors in the starting lineup and one of the early leaders was 12 year old Ollie Wright of Saffron Walden with a very creditable round of 74.
Another youngster Ellis Kerr of the home club, and a member of the victorious CAGU under 18 team who last week won the Midland Boys qualifier for the England Boys County finals, fired an exceptional round of 68, four under par. His round contained 4 birdies and no dropped shots.
In all, 4 youngsters broke the 70 barrier, Paul Collington of Gogs, Olly Toyer of St Neots both on 69, and the 1st round leader Jake Plumb of St Neots with an excellent 67 that contained 6 birdies and only one bogey.
Trailing just behind on 70 was Matt Pearce of Ely City, winner of last year’s Gogs Trophy and he surged into the 1st day’s lead with a second round of 67 for a total of 137. He had 7 birdies in his brilliant round that included 5 on the bounce from holes 11 through to 15.
Close behind was former England Boy international Jake Plumb who followed up his 67 with a 71 for 138.Olly Toyer and Paul Collington were joint 3rd on 141 with Ellis Kerr 2 strokes further back on 143.
The Team Championship shield was won by Gog Magog with Collington 141, Kerr 143, and the 3rd member of the team George Howard on 146 for a total of 430.
The January Cup for the best net score on day 1 of the Championship won by Neil Cowie of the Girton GC with a fine performance, scoring 147-6=141 net. In 2nd place was young Oliver Smith of Saffron Walden with 150-8=142.
The weather was set fine on the morning of the second day, apart from a small threat of thunder and lightning late afternoon which fortunately never materialised.
Unfortunately, the Championship slipped away from our halfway leader Matt Pearce after a triple bogey at the 12th hole and 4 bogeys on his card saw him home in a disappointing 79 and a 3rd round total of 3 over par.
Our leader going into the final round would be Jake Plumb who followed up his 2 opening sub-par rounds with another one of 71. His nearest rival was Paul Collington who produced another consistent round of 71 to be three strokes behind our leader.
It was quite difficult playing conditions as a strong breeze surged around the “Links on the hill”.
Last year’s County Champion Danny Loveday had an interesting round. After starting with a triple bogey, he went on to hole a short iron on the 10th hole for an eagle two and then holed a cut up three wood on the long par 3 16th hole for a remarkable hole in one. Sadly, he then followed this up with a double bogey on the 17th hole. He finished on 75 for a total of 14 over par.
Paul moved to into the joint lead when Jake doubled the 2nd and Paul birdied his opening hole. It was then neck and neck until Paul double bogeyed the 7th and Jake made birdie on the same hole. The gap of 3 strokes was maintained by Jake as they both made the turn in 37 strokes. Both played the final 9 holes in one under par and finished on 72. Our new champion Jake, with an excellent total of 281 (7 under par) was crowned despite a valiant effort from Paul.
Jake won for the 2nd time having his maiden victory at Saffron Walden in 2022.
There was a three way tie for 3rd place after disappointing finishes for both Olly Toyer and Matt Pearce allowed young Sam Arthur form Ramsey Golf Club to beat them on a card play-off.
Sam Marshall of St Neots won the under 21 prize with a total of 293.
The Seniors prize went to Richard Beecroft of the home club.
It was fantastic to see so many CAGU youngsters make it to the final day. In all 13 of them all under 20 years of age made it through, and three of them Paul, Sam and Olly finished in the top four. The future looks very bright for the County Union.
Many thanks go to the Gog Magog Golf Club for staging a memorable championship on a course that is maturing year on year. The bunker renovations have made the world of difference to the course and the condition was second to none, thanks to the hard work of the Estates team led by Andrew Howarth.
As always the club house staff were friendly and welcoming and the food was enjoyed by all so our thanks go to John Attwell and his staff.
Next year’s Championship is at the Saffron Walden Golf Club on the weekend of 6/7 June.
https://kevindiss.com/cambridgeshire-2025-championship
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
