Junior Season Review - 2022
Presentation Dinner
At the recent Annual Junior Dinner, Chair of the Junior Committee, Sally Williams, gave the following report:
Welcome to the 2022 Junior Dinner and the celebration of our Junior Members’ successes throughout the year.
Our Junior Captain, Spencer Datkiewicz, has had a tremendous year culminating with a place in the Nick Faldo Series Final in Dubai where he came 8th overall. Attached to this report is a list of all achievements by some of our Juniors during 2022. A massive well done to you all, Hillside Golf Club and the Junior Committee are extremely proud of you all.
Membership categories across the board at the Club was closed in 2021 and will not re-open except for House and Country membership, until possibly 2023. However, after a lot of persuasion by the Junior Committee,(I’m very good at nagging !!!) the Board re-opened Junior membership between the ages of 8 and 14. We were flooded with applications and welcomed the following:
Oliver Buch-Platt, Matthew Clarke-Harris, Frankie Cook, James Eriksen, Charlie Grote, Dulcie Helsby, Max Hennessy, Oscar Howard, Louis O’Connor, Will Smullen, Leo Taylor, Caleb Crawford, George Whitehead and Miles Barnfather.
The first Summer season competition major was the Gordon Rimmer Round 1on 24th April although we had a couple of fun competitions before then.
Pete Belford assisted by Steve Halliwell started getting together a squad for the forthcoming team games including the BCCS National Knockout and SDGA matches and the Goodall Trophy at West Lancs. We had mixed results but our Junior Captain was undefeated in all of his 10 matches. Overall we had 22 juniors represent Hillside in the different matches so a massive well done to you all. Onward and upward for 2023!
In May, we had our annual match against the Seniors with the Juniors coming out as winners. Unfortunately, we lost this match but in defence of the Juniors, our “Seniors” are getting a lot younger I feel!!
The Junior Open took place on Monday 1st August. We had 66 entrants over 36 holes and entries went to a ballot. We had one of our youngest winners at the age of 10 in Ava Gadsby from Kingsway GC. I think she’s got golf in her blood though as she is the niece of Lee Slattery! Caitlin Feeney was a runner up after a card play-off and Spencer Datkiewicz was winner of lowest gross. Well done both !
I would like to personally thank all those who helped in making the day such a success. I was over-whelmed by the help I received from parents and Hillside members who gave us their time volunteering for ball spotting, escorting players to the Recording office and handing out the packed lunches. The whole day ran very smoothly thanks to them.
In 2023, it has been agreed that the Hillside and Southport & Ainsdale Junior Opens will play for Order of Merit points with 36 holes being played at each course and the overall winner of both Opens will win the John Graham Trophy. John was the Secretary Manager at Hillside GC and is a member of Southport and Ainsdale GC. Thanks to Richard Kilshaw and Chris Williams for organising this. Entry will open in February next year for both Opens.
Due to Hillside hosting the Cazoo Classic in July this year, the annual Hillside v Bingley match at Bingley had to be put back to October. Hillside came upon some young and strong opposition, having to give quite a few shots. We put up a good fight but unfortunately, came second. However, the match was played in great spirit and both teams were congratulated on their golfing prowess and etiquette by Hillside and Bingley adults alike. Thank you to Steve, Rob McKee and Lady Captain for representing us.
The annual match against Lady Captain’s team took place at the end of October with the Juniors again coming out as winners. Junior Captain’s speech was very entertaining and I think Nathan is going to purchase some ear-plugs if he has to play with 3 ladies again!!!
We have just started the Winter season at the beginning of November. Although it was planned that the competitions were going to be 9 hole comps every couple of weeks, our first competition managed to be an 18 hole qualifying stableford. Fixture lists are available from the Junior Room if you have not got one yet. From Monday 14th November, course protection measures come into being and mats must be used on the fairway only. From January, if you do not use a mat on the fairway, you will be given a 2 shot penalty so be careful. An email from the club will be sent out nearer the time.
At this point, I would like to say a massive thank you to our Professional Team. Matt D, Matt H, Gareth and Lewis who’s input and coaching has been invaluable and the difference I’ve seen in the quality of the golf of our juniors has been astounding when they came back after the winter coaching sessions. Matt H and Lewis are again, doing winter coaching which has also been financially supported by the 300 Club so thank you to Trevor Vearncombe again. Lookout on either the Hillside Facebook page “Hillside Juniors” for further information or contact one of the Pros in the Shop.
Also the help and support I have received from Tash, Becca and Chris in the Office has been invaluable, organising letters re interviews, the cards for our Junior Open and much, much more - thank you.
Finally, I would like to express my personal thanks to my Junior Committee for all their support, it really has been a team effort. When I came on the Committee in 2016 alongside Gerry and we in turn co-opted Rosie, we started with 52 juniors, 26 of who did not hold a handicap and Sunday competitions saw an average of only 6 players coming down to play. With the 5 year Junior Development Plan and the arrival of a full Professional team, the section has grown from strength to strength and the section is the envy of other clubs in the area. As Committee members, we have also taken time to do Safeguarding workshops and DBS qualifications to ensure that our juniors are fully protected.
This is my final year on the Junior Committee. Thank you to all of you: parents for your continuing support to the section, juniors for all your achievements, however big or small, which makes me so proud to be a part of Hillside. I will continue to attend the Junior Dinner (unless the next Committee says I can’t!!!) and look forward to hearing about your continued successes.
SALLY WILLIAMS
CHAIR
JUNIOR COMMITTEE HILLSIDE GC
Junior Section Summer Success
Junior Open - Card Play Off – Winner Ava Gadsby (Cambridge).
Spencer Datkiewicz - Winner - Lowest Gross.
Alfie Burnett - Winner - St Andrews Boys Open Matchplay
Winner - Pleasington Junior Open
Caitlin Feeney - Runner Up - Card Play Off - Hillside Open
11th Scottish Girls Championships
3rd Lancashire Junior Championships 36 Holes
Mia Clarke - 4th Lancashire Junior Championships 36 Holes
Daniel Melling - Winner - Lancashire Schoolboys Under 16’s
Maxi Moore - Winner - Best Gross Woolton Junior Open
Jake Wroth Oakes - Winner - Westhoughton GC Scratch Trophy
Spencer Datkiewcz - Winner - Faldo Series Scotland @ St Andrews
Lucy Brown - Winner - Junior British Masters @ The Belfry
Best Wishes to Hillside Juniors - Tom Watson & Mia Clarke who have gained Golfing Scholarships in Texas USA.
Welcome to the 2022 Junior Dinner and the celebration of our Junior Members’ successes throughout the year.
Our Junior Captain, Spencer Datkiewicz, has had a tremendous year culminating with a place in the Nick Faldo Series Final in Dubai where he came 8th overall. Attached to this report is a list of all achievements by some of our Juniors during 2022. A massive well done to you all, Hillside Golf Club and the Junior Committee are extremely proud of you all.
Membership categories across the board at the Club was closed in 2021 and will not re-open except for House and Country membership, until possibly 2023. However, after a lot of persuasion by the Junior Committee,(I’m very good at nagging !!!) the Board re-opened Junior membership between the ages of 8 and 14. We were flooded with applications and welcomed the following:
Oliver Buch-Platt, Matthew Clarke-Harris, Frankie Cook, James Eriksen, Charlie Grote, Dulcie Helsby, Max Hennessy, Oscar Howard, Louis O’Connor, Will Smullen, Leo Taylor, Caleb Crawford, George Whitehead and Miles Barnfather.
The first Summer season competition major was the Gordon Rimmer Round 1on 24th April although we had a couple of fun competitions before then.
Pete Belford assisted by Steve Halliwell started getting together a squad for the forthcoming team games including the BCCS National Knockout and SDGA matches and the Goodall Trophy at West Lancs. We had mixed results but our Junior Captain was undefeated in all of his 10 matches. Overall we had 22 juniors represent Hillside in the different matches so a massive well done to you all. Onward and upward for 2023!
In May, we had our annual match against the Seniors with the Juniors coming out as winners. Unfortunately, we lost this match but in defence of the Juniors, our “Seniors” are getting a lot younger I feel!!
The Junior Open took place on Monday 1st August. We had 66 entrants over 36 holes and entries went to a ballot. We had one of our youngest winners at the age of 10 in Ava Gadsby from Kingsway GC. I think she’s got golf in her blood though as she is the niece of Lee Slattery! Caitlin Feeney was a runner up after a card play-off and Spencer Datkiewicz was winner of lowest gross. Well done both !
I would like to personally thank all those who helped in making the day such a success. I was over-whelmed by the help I received from parents and Hillside members who gave us their time volunteering for ball spotting, escorting players to the Recording office and handing out the packed lunches. The whole day ran very smoothly thanks to them.
In 2023, it has been agreed that the Hillside and Southport & Ainsdale Junior Opens will play for Order of Merit points with 36 holes being played at each course and the overall winner of both Opens will win the John Graham Trophy. John was the Secretary Manager at Hillside GC and is a member of Southport and Ainsdale GC. Thanks to Richard Kilshaw and Chris Williams for organising this. Entry will open in February next year for both Opens.
Due to Hillside hosting the Cazoo Classic in July this year, the annual Hillside v Bingley match at Bingley had to be put back to October. Hillside came upon some young and strong opposition, having to give quite a few shots. We put up a good fight but unfortunately, came second. However, the match was played in great spirit and both teams were congratulated on their golfing prowess and etiquette by Hillside and Bingley adults alike. Thank you to Steve, Rob McKee and Lady Captain for representing us.
The annual match against Lady Captain’s team took place at the end of October with the Juniors again coming out as winners. Junior Captain’s speech was very entertaining and I think Nathan is going to purchase some ear-plugs if he has to play with 3 ladies again!!!
We have just started the Winter season at the beginning of November. Although it was planned that the competitions were going to be 9 hole comps every couple of weeks, our first competition managed to be an 18 hole qualifying stableford. Fixture lists are available from the Junior Room if you have not got one yet. From Monday 14th November, course protection measures come into being and mats must be used on the fairway only. From January, if you do not use a mat on the fairway, you will be given a 2 shot penalty so be careful. An email from the club will be sent out nearer the time.
At this point, I would like to say a massive thank you to our Professional Team. Matt D, Matt H, Gareth and Lewis who’s input and coaching has been invaluable and the difference I’ve seen in the quality of the golf of our juniors has been astounding when they came back after the winter coaching sessions. Matt H and Lewis are again, doing winter coaching which has also been financially supported by the 300 Club so thank you to Trevor Vearncombe again. Lookout on either the Hillside Facebook page “Hillside Juniors” for further information or contact one of the Pros in the Shop.
Also the help and support I have received from Tash, Becca and Chris in the Office has been invaluable, organising letters re interviews, the cards for our Junior Open and much, much more - thank you.
Finally, I would like to express my personal thanks to my Junior Committee for all their support, it really has been a team effort. When I came on the Committee in 2016 alongside Gerry and we in turn co-opted Rosie, we started with 52 juniors, 26 of who did not hold a handicap and Sunday competitions saw an average of only 6 players coming down to play. With the 5 year Junior Development Plan and the arrival of a full Professional team, the section has grown from strength to strength and the section is the envy of other clubs in the area. As Committee members, we have also taken time to do Safeguarding workshops and DBS qualifications to ensure that our juniors are fully protected.
This is my final year on the Junior Committee. Thank you to all of you: parents for your continuing support to the section, juniors for all your achievements, however big or small, which makes me so proud to be a part of Hillside. I will continue to attend the Junior Dinner (unless the next Committee says I can’t!!!) and look forward to hearing about your continued successes.
SALLY WILLIAMS
CHAIR
JUNIOR COMMITTEE HILLSIDE GC
Junior Section Summer Success
Junior Open - Card Play Off – Winner Ava Gadsby (Cambridge).
Spencer Datkiewicz - Winner - Lowest Gross.
Alfie Burnett - Winner - St Andrews Boys Open Matchplay
Winner - Pleasington Junior Open
Caitlin Feeney - Runner Up - Card Play Off - Hillside Open
11th Scottish Girls Championships
3rd Lancashire Junior Championships 36 Holes
Mia Clarke - 4th Lancashire Junior Championships 36 Holes
Daniel Melling - Winner - Lancashire Schoolboys Under 16’s
Maxi Moore - Winner - Best Gross Woolton Junior Open
Jake Wroth Oakes - Winner - Westhoughton GC Scratch Trophy
Spencer Datkiewcz - Winner - Faldo Series Scotland @ St Andrews
Lucy Brown - Winner - Junior British Masters @ The Belfry
Best Wishes to Hillside Juniors - Tom Watson & Mia Clarke who have gained Golfing Scholarships in Texas USA.