New meets old at Effingham in Mackenzie Quaich

David Copsey (DCGS Poult Wood) fired off a new Effingham Professional course record of 5-under par 66 to win the inaugural Mackenzie Quaich Pro-Am.

Held to celebrate the refurbishment of the Effingham course by leading course architect Tom Mackenzie, the new Pro-Am proved a tremendous success.

Copsey’s record 66 had just one blemish at the 14^th, with a flourish of birdies at the 15^th, 16^th and 17^th to finish two ahead of Sophie Walker’s 68.

Copsey commented: “I’m enjoying a lovely run of golf at the moment, with three wins so far and two course records in a week! The refurbished Effingham course is fabulous, and it was a real treat to play it.”

Runner-up Sophie Walker began her round on the 18^th with a double bogey six, but she fought back with a brilliant run over the next nine holes with five birdies. A dropped shot at the 10^th was repaired with a birdie at the 12^th, and pars home ensured a worthy second spot.

The team event was won by Mark Brailey (Shirley Park) and his 3 Effingham lady members notching up a score of 15-under-par to edge out Chris Gane (Lefthanded Golf at Silvermere) and the Brand Fusion team.

Speaking about the project, Mackenzie added: “Effingham is another fine example of Harry Colt’s skills at laying out holes on hilly ground in a way that golfers find themselves at the top of the Downs without feeling like they have played an uphill hole. The downland turf also makes it a true 12-month-of-the-year course.”