Results from the National Final at Walton Heath G C on October 25th 2007

Sixteen teams gathered in the early morning gloom at Walton Heath G C on Thursday 25 October to contest the National Final. The first teams drove off at 9am sharp in damp conditions that never lifted all day. However, the course was in beautiful condition and all the teams were complimentary about the venue.

The day started with a celebration for Tony Jones of Chipping Sodbury RFC as he holed in one at the 2nd. It was his first Hole-in-One and he celebrated later with a case of Laithwaites wine!

The event was also attended by many of the sponsors - William Eve and his team of sports stars from RAM Rugby, Guy Richardson and Howard Nankivell of Laithwaites and guest speaker, Tim Stimpson of SportsWelfare. The sponsors contested their own competition, which was won by Mike Corbey, England’s most capped sportsman - a hockey and squash international and Olympian, with 35 points. Colin Pearce came second with 32 points.

Millfield Old Boys RFC with guest speaker Tim Stimpson right

The main competition was fiercely contested and the scoring reflected the quality of the teams who had won through to the Final.

The Best Pair prize of 2 Wilson putters was carried away by Kevin Cayley and Dan O’Keefe of Millfield Old Boys RFC with 46 points.

The second Best Pair with 43 points was Jerry Downes and Mark Bradley of Reading RFC.

In the team competition two teams tied on 81 points, with Chipping Sodbury RFC claiming third place on countback from Feltham RFC. Roger Page, Tony Jones, Adrian Page and Carl Hill won a RAM tackle bag for their club, together with individual prizes.

Second place was secured by Sussex club, Pulborough RFC. Pulborough regularly enter several teams into the Sussex qualifying event and it was good to see their patronage rewarded as Alex Steele, Simon Lepine, Simon Hawkin and Paddy Fane amassed 83 points. Their club will now have new RAM post protectors and the team won individual prizes including Laithwaites wine.

The Champions in 2007 were well ahead of the pack. Millfield Old Boys RFC carried off the title and Championship Cup with 88 points. Their team of Giles Legg, Kevin Cayley, Dan O’Keefe and Joe O’Keefe will enjoy a break at Marriott St Pierre, courtesy of golfbreaks.com, as well as Laithwaites wine and a set of new shirts from RAM Rugby for the club.

Three of Pulborough RFC's runners up team with Tim Stimpson

The last act was to draw the Winner of the Kuoni Sport Abroad trip to the Hong Kong 7’s in March 2008. The prize was won by Mark Simmons of Holt RFC, with David Hampshire of Worcester RFC winning a case of Laithwaites champagne as the second winner drawn.

Many thanks go to everyone who participated throughout the year, all our sponsors and all the Wooden Spoon volunteers who helped during the qualifying rounds.

Many Championship players will also know that Tony Mann and Gib Hancock, the originator and organisers of the Championship for 7 years are "retiring" from operational involvement in the Championship. Wooden Spoon, which acquired the rights to the Championship in 2006, will continue to run the Championship in 2008 and beyond, the main contact being Mike Francis.

Tony, Gib and Tessa Mann were thanked for their work in creating such a successful Championship and were invited to remain close to it by playing in the Sponsors’ Competition in future years. We hope, too, they will keep in touch at Qualifying and Regional events.

Third-placed Chipping Sodbury RFC with the Ram Trevor Leota tackle bag
Tony Jones of Chipping Sodbury holds the flag, as he has no need to putt - he holed in one!	RAM Rugby MD William Eve (second left) with sports stars Mark Illott (Essex and England), Mike Corby (England hockey & squash), John Gallacher (All Blacks).
Tim Stimpson, England, British & Irish Lions. Guest speak and sponsor of RCGC 2007.

We look forward to welcoming all clubs into the Championship in 2008.