Essex Golf Union

           Leslie F Wood Championship Final 2024 

                                               Nazeing Golf Club, Sunday 1st Sept 2024

                                                                The Warren v Colne Valley

The 2024 Final was played between Colne Valley and The Warren Golf Clubs at Nazeing Golf Club on Sunday September 1st. Each team was well matched which made for a great final, and indeed an exciting competition. Nazeing Golf Club won the 2023 Championship and agreed to be the host for 2024. They presented the course in an excellent condition with the fairways taking on a links feel to them running fast, with the greens being fast and true.

The morning foursomes teed off to mild overcast conditions, with a light wind and temperatures around 20°C. Colne Valley were up in 4 games and down in 1 after 9 holes, however by the end of the morning foursomes The Warren won matches 2, 3 and 5 which put them in the lead by a narrow margin of 3:2, could they continue this fighting spirit straight to the end or will they lose momentum with the singles competition in the afternoon, only time would tell.

The afternoon singles got off to a fine start, the sun shone brilliantly with temperatures getting into the high 20’s, for some players this proved a bit uncomfortable at times, but they all were in good spirits and that competitiveness, like the sun, was shining through. Match 5 of the singles could have swung either way for the teams. Tim Krapez (The Warren) was 1 down against Ralph Smith (Colne Valley) playing the par 5 18th.  They both hit good drives bringing the 18th green into range. Ralph hit an excellent 2nd shot just short of the green putting the pressure back on to Tim who replied with an equally good shot, which unfortunately ran through to the back edge of the green. Ralph chipped on to the green but left a lot to do for a birdie. Tim putted down and also left some work to do for his birdie. Ralph putted first and hit a great put but lipped out for a 4 and a win! All that was left for Tim to do was to make 4 and tie the game. Tim hit a great put to find the bottom of the cup and end the match all square.

Both teams represented their clubs excellently by playing the final in a great spirit which was typified in match 2 on the 17th hole.  Darren Wright played his approach shot to approx. 8 feet leaving Barney de Beer under pressure to hit his shot closer!  Barney hit in to approx. 3 feet. Darren made his birdie but conceded Barney’s 3 foot put so the hole was halved in birdie 3’s. They halved the 18th so the match ended all square. The Warren won the competition 9-6.

The Essex Golf Union would like to thank Nazeing Golf Club for hosting the event and for their wonderful hospitality. Also, a huge thank you to the spectators who came out to enthusiastically support both teams and make it a special day; it was indeed a great match played in the best spirit of golf.

First Round Results

Second Round Results

Third Round Results

Quarter-Final Results

Semi Final Results

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Leslie F Wood Championship Final 2023
Congratulations Nazeing Golf Club

Hosted by Royal Epping Forest Golf Club
3rd September 2023

The 2023 Final between Hainault Forest and Nazeing was played on the 3rd September at Royal Epping Forest Golf Club. The hosts presented the course in great condition and made all their guests most welcome throughout the day.

It was a hot start weather wise at royal Epping Forest Golf Club as both teams and a keen crowd swarmed the first tee at 8:45 in the morning. It was also a hot start for nazing winning match 17 and five with match two and three also bringing home a point. However, matches four and five did go Hainault Forest Golf Club’s way. This meant that the morning matches concluded with a one-point advantage favouring Nazeing Golf Club at 3 to 2.

The weather heated up in the afternoon, with temperatures reportedly reaching 30 degrees celsius with a stiff breeze at times made playing conditions a little tough. Once again Nazeing managed points in matches one and two with convincing wins. Match three saw James Sammons beat Mitch Conlon two and one, which meant the score with the remainder of matches moving into the back 9 was Nazeing 5 Hainault Forest 3.

A halved match between John Roberts of Hainault Forest and Ben Everingham of Nazeing meant Nazeing edged forever closer towards the winning target of eight points. The next four matches so the points shared between both clubs each gaining two more towards their totals. So far Nazeing Golf Club appeared to be in control of the match, with 7 1/2 points already secured, with three matches still alive on the course. However, Hainault Golf Club were up in two of these matches, Chris Driver eventually beating Charlie Summerford 2&1, only after William Stewart had won 5&3 against Martin Anderson.

So now the score stood at Nazeing Golf Club, 7 ½ to Hainault Forest’s 6 ½. Paul Hodges from Nazeing playing Graham Baker of Hainault Forest Golf Club was match 10 and it swiftly became the deciding match, with everyone moving to hole 16 to see how things transpired. The 16th was a short path for dog leg left both players finding the fairway but with Graham Baker one down and Nazeing only requiring ½ a point to secure the match overall, it was looking a tall ask. Graham however, hitting his approach are on 16 to inside 8 foot or so, now had a put to take the match back to all square. The putt dropped dead centre and the cheer from the Hainault supporters could be heard before the ball had fully disappeared. Grahams tee shot 17 and narrowly missed the fairway left leaving him blocked out by the trees as the whole dog legs left with a pin position there was also back left making his approach very tricky. Paul Hodges on the other hand not only found the fairway but was some 30 to 40 yards further up the hole leaving him access to the green. Graham Baker unfortunately found more trouble up the left side before chipping on. This meant that Paul Hodges approach, which had finished some 10 yards short and left of the green, was a much easier pitch than he possibly once anticipated. Paul knowing that as long as he got it on the green, he had at least two putts to win the hole and guarantee the victory as Hainault Forest could only secure a half. As Paul’s well weighted pitch ran slowly past the hole the Nazeing crowd erupted knowing that it was potentially sufficient to secure the Leslie F. Wood Trophy. His ball finally came to rest just 10 feet from the hole, as Graham approached Paul to concede the crowd erupted once again. Both players shook hands and. Several players shook opposing players hands before making their way back to the clubhouse for the presentation and a meal. The match was played in great spirits & Royal Epping Forest Golf Club were fantastic hosts having won in 2022.

The Essex Golf Union would like to thank Royal Epping Forest Golf Club for hosting the event and their wonderful hospitality, and also the many spectators who came to enthusiastically support both teams and make it a special day.

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2022 LESLIE F WOOD CHAMPIONSHIP
FINAL
Played at Upminster Golf Club      

 The 20 22 Final between Braintree and Royal Epping Forest was contested on the 28th August at Upminster Golf Club. The hosts presented their course in great condition and made  their guests feel most welcome throughout the day.

The morning foursomes commenced in cool conditions, with a little cloud keeping the temperature at a comfortable level. There was little to choose between both teams as the pairings reached the halfway stage, three close matches and each side holding a good lead in one. The first match remained too close to call all the way to the final hole, finishing all square. Match 2 had a dramatic turnaround as Braintree let a good lead slip, eventually resulting in a win for Royal Epping. It was a similar result in the following two matches as both finished with comfortable wins for Royal Epping. The final foursomes match also produced a tense finale, Royal Epping going to the 18th tee 1up fired in their tee shot to 6 feet which was good enough to close out the match with another win. Braintree faced a tough challenge if they were to lift the L Wood shield taking a four-point deficit into the afternoon singles.

Following lunch, in the region of 60 supporters watched on as the afternoon singles got underway. The buoyant Royal Epping team and supporters looking ‘pretty in pink’. Knowing Braintree had to front load their afternoon order, John Lindsay, Royal Epping’s team captain put himself out first to lead from the front. Once again at the halfway stage most matches were too close to call. Three of the first four went the distance to the 18th hole, with Royal Epping taking wins in two games. Match three resulted in a win for Braintree which meant that with two wins each Royal Epping had fended off the fightback that Braintree required. The gallery was being treated to some excellent match play golf from both sides.

As matches five, six, and seven all finished in favour of Royal Epping the magic total of 8 points was passed giving a well-deserved victory to Royal Epping Forest. There was a comfortable win for Braintree in one of the remaining matches, but as the final had concluded those matches still in play were called in and awarded half points.

The match was played in great spirit, both Clubs can be proud of the efforts from their teams over the whole season.

The Essex Golf Union would like to thank Upminster Golf Club for hosting the event and their wonderful hospitality and also the spectators, who came, enthusiastically to support both teams and make it a special day.

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2021 LESLIE F WOOD CHAMPIONSHIP
FINAL
Played at Colchester Golf Club

The 2021 Final between Basildon and holders Upminster was played on the 29th August at Colchester Golf Club. The hosts presented the course in great condition and made all their guests most welcome throughout the day.

The morning foursomes commenced in cool conditions, with a gentle autumnal breeze which blew across the course. Upminster quickly established leads in the first two matches out on the course with the other matches remaining close during the first nine holes with slim leads being held by one side or the other. There was an early finish in match 1 in favour of Upminster, the match concluding on the 11th green. Four of the five matches eventually finished in Upminster’s favour with Basildon’s only point coming from the final match.

Following lunch in the region of 80 supporters watched on as the afternoon singles got underway. In the first match Lewis Bellotti continued the good form for Upminster by establishing an early lead. By the 10th hole Upminster held good leads in two of the first five matches with the others being close, however, four of the remaining five matches showed Basildon in front. The supporters of both teams were being treated to some excellent matchplay golf by two evenly matched teams.

As the first four matches out concluded, Upminster recorded victories in three matches with a sole win for Basildon in match 2, though a big win for Basildon in match 9 helped them keep a slender foothold in the final. Upminster were just one point away from retaining their title and this was eventually achieved when Allan Thomson concluded his match on the 16th green. In most of the remaining matches left out on the course Basildon held slender leads, but as the final had concluded all those matches were called in and awarded half points.

The match was played in great spirit, both Clubs can be proud of the efforts of their teams.

The Essex Golf Union would like to thank Colchester Golf Club for hosting the event and their wonderful hospitality, and also the many spectators who came to enthusiastically support both teams and make it a special day.

Leslie F Wood Championship 2019

2019 FINAL
Upminster v Romford
Played at Canons Brook Golf Club

The 2019 Final between local rivals Romford and Upminster was played on the 1stSeptember at the venue of last year’s winners, Canons Brook Golf Club. The hosts presented the course in great condition and made all their guests most welcome throughout the day.

The morning foursomes commenced in cool conditions, with a gentle autumnal breeze which blew across the course. 

All matches remained close during the first nine holes with slim leads being held by one side or the other. 

Four of the five matches eventually went down the 18th, the only one to conclude earlier than that resulted in Upminster’s only win from the morning foursomes. Romford took the lion’s share of points from the close finishes resulting in them going into lunch with a slender 2-point lead.

The morning foursomes had attracted in the region of 80 supporters but this number swelled to more than 200 as the afternoon singles got underway, and this added to the great atmosphere out on the course. In the first two matches out either side took a significant early lead, but the scores after that were very close as they came through the par 3 seventh hole, andperhaps they appeared to be slightly favouring Upminster. The sizeable support for both teams were being treated to some excellent matchplay golf by two evenly matched teams. As the first four matches out concluded, Upminster recovered the lunchtime deficit and had tied the match on 4.5 points each, with most of the remaining matches too close to call. The next two matches went to the challenging par 5 18thhole. Scott Pope and Micky Nash both recorded narrow 1up victories for Upminster and their supporters started to believe a memorable victory was on the cards. Neil Packer suddenly won a few holes and recorded a further point for Upminster on the 16thhole, who now just needed a half point to clinch victory. As match 7 approached the 18thgreen with Romford’s Henry Styles holding a slender 1up advantage, Paul Berner left the 15thgreen with a 3up lead for Upminster, dormie 3, guaranteeing Upminster the half point they needed to complete a great fight back. 

It was an exciting conclusion to a great match, played in great spirit, both Clubs can be proud of the efforts of their teams. 

The Essex Golf Union would like to thank Canons Brook Golf Club for hosting the event and their wonderful hospitality, and also the many spectators who came to enthusiastically support both teams and make it a special day.

Click on the image to the left to See the PDF Result Sheet.

First Round Results

Second Round Results

Third Round Results

Quarter Final Results

Semi Final Results

Leslie Wood Final

Congratulations to Canons Brook, 2018 winners.

2018 LESLIE F WOOD CHAMPIONSHIP

FINAL

Played at The Warren Golf Club

The Leslie F Wood Final between Canons Brook and Woolston Manor was played on the 2nd September at the venue of last year’s winners, The Warren Golf Club.

The morning foursomes commenced in cool conditions, and there were signs of tension in some of the golf played over the opening holes. Most matches remained close during the first nine holes, but the first two games finished with fairly comfortable wins, one for each side. The remaining matches were all very tightly contested eventually concluding with a match each and the final match being halved. So, the lunchtime position showed the two teams in a tie, and the prospect of a close finish to the day.

In the afternoon singles there seemed little to separate the teams as nine of the matches went through the 10thhole with either a 1up or All Square score. The sizeable support for both teams were being treated to some excellent matchplay golf by two evenly matched teams. As the afternoon progressed the tide slowly started to turn in favour of Canons Brook, as they recorded narrow wins in four of the first five matches. Matches six and seven were shared with a win each, putting Canons Brook close to victory, and then with a guaranteed half in match eight as it went to the 18thhole the result was confirmed. Congratulations to Canons Brook.

It was an exciting conclusion to a great match, played in great spirit, both Clubs can be proud of the efforts of their teams. 

The Essex Golf Union would like to thank The Warren Golf Club for hosting the event, and also the many spectators who came to enthusiastically support both teams.