This Is Jersey

THE JEP/Itex Golfer of the month for July is Royal Jersey member Gary Denton.

Denton recorded gross scores of 70 and 74 for a total of 144 to win the La Moye Trophy at La Moye, - where he works as a green-keeper.

He beat a strong field of the Island’s top golfers and reduced his handicap to 1.8.

‘I’m very surprised to have won,’ Denton said.

‘I wasn’t expecting anything like that! I only play golf for fun now, my other sport is moto-cross so it’s sometimes pot luck whether I’m fit enough to play golf.

It depends if I’ve fallen off my bike! But I just turned up on the day and everything went well.’ He started playing golf with his father in about 1984, ‘following him around the course and hitting a few balls.’ And although he works at La Moye, he says he rarely plays there, though he does play the practice holes sometimes.

‘It can be a tough course, it’s the longest and quite open.’ Other contenders for the award included Les Mielles’ member Frances Shaw, who set a new ladies’ amateur course record at Les Mielles GC.

She recorded a 3 over par gross 74 and reduced her handicap to ten.

Also considered was Royal Jersey member Gavin O’Neill, who won the NatWest 72 Hole Strokeplay Championship at La Moye with a score of 295.

O’Neill beat off strong challenges from Christy McLaughlin and Paul Le Chevalier.

A third player in contention was Royal Jersey member Terry Smith who won the Jersey Seniors’ Championship at Royal Jersey for the first time.

Fourth contender was Royal Jersey member Rob Leader for winning the Royal Jersey Captains’ Day with a score of 45 points, thus reducing his handicap to 7.

Richard Ramskill was also considered for winning the La Moye Captain’s Prize with a score of 41 points off a handicap of +1.

Junior player Olivia Higgins was considered for winning the Royal Jersey Ladies’ Club Championship.

She was tied with Diane Carter after 36 holes but won the first extra hole with a birdie 4.

Veteran Royal Jersey Club member Vic Bourgoise was also in contention, for steady performances throughout the month including finishing runner-up in the Seniors’ Championship and reducing his handicap to five in the Tuesday Evening League.

At La Moye club member John Poynton, who won the Liverpool Cup despite the conditions being very difficult, was also in the running with his score of 82 (12), nett 70.

Meanwhile Les Mielles’ member Chris Jones was in the frame for winning the July medal with a score of 71 (7), nett 64.

Five other golfers who performed well in July were La Moye member Carole Upton who won Round 2 of the Tanner Cup with a score of 80 (14), nett 66, who now has a reduced handicap of 12; Les Mielles’ member Kevin Stuart who won the Summer Hamper medal with a score of 79 (15), nett 64; La Moye member Virginia Austin Walker who won the Guide Dogs for the Blind Medal with a score of 80 (12), nett 68 and reduced her handicap to 10; La Moye member Tom Scott who won week 6 of the Tuesday League with a score of 45 points and Royal Jersey Junior Gyles Robin who produced several good scores in July and reduced his handicap to 5.

The judging panel was made up of JGU President Geoff Ramskill, JLGU President Barbara Hewitt, Itex Deputy Managing Director Bruce Ridley, JEP sports correspondent Andy Bradshaw and JGU Secretary Rob Leader.

Club Secretaries can fax nominations to Rob Leader on 633688.

Article posted on 28th August, 2004 - 12.00am