County Dinner Takes Place at Lanhydrock

The Annual Cornwall Golf Union Dinner took place at Lanhydrock Hotel & GC for the second year running last Friday and again the host venue delivered on all fronts.

Some 100+ persons were welcomed by CGU President Martin Edwards on a night which was billed as the final Cornwall Golf Union dinner subject to the upcoming voting on unification.

CGU Secretary Chris Pountney introduced a number of honoured guests: The President of England Golf,  Alistair Booth, Guest speaker Josh Boggi, CLCGA President Nikki Hodge and CLCGA County Captain Pauline Clifton. Pountney then thanked the Lanhydrock Hotel proprietors Graham and Clare Bond for their hospitality and their ongoing support of multiple county meetings over many years.

An excellent meal was enjoyed by the diners before a  number of presentations took place.

The Channel League Player of the Year award, jointly sponsored by Glyn Rowett of Rowett Insurance Broking Ltd and the CGU was shared between Sam Crocker (Carlyon Bay) and Jamie Greet (Mullion) after both had virtually identical league records across the 2025 season.

The Cornwall Player of the Year was awarded to Sam Crocker after a number of others received mentions.

• Seniors County team member Guy Norris 22nd in the English Seniors OoM 2025 having played in 6 events. Guy was also one of the Cornwall Seniors team that qualified for the National Finals for the third year running.
• Three juniors who have represented the County Men’s team in the CL this year to great effect - Tiernan Wallwork (Tehidy), Joab Atkins (St Mellion) and Alfie Chapman (St Enodoc).

• Alfie has been selected for EG regional coaching over the winter period and we wish him well for this. Tehidy Park’s Alex Simmons is also included in the regional coaching in what is her second year.

• The County Ladies Champion Danielle Hardwick had a good season notably finishing in 3rd place in the EG Women’s Champion of Champions event at Woodhall Spa.

• Louis Archer (St Enodoc) winner of the Men's County Championship held in glorious conditions at Centenary celebrating Trevose in May

• Seniors County Champion Ian Ashenden (China Fleet) and our Junior County Champion Oban Webber (St Mellion)

• However Crocker was a member of Carlyon Bay’s CTC winning team back in March and he followed this by being one of the 3 man team who competed in the English Champion Club Finals in Yorkshire in September. At County Week in April he won the Scratch Cup in Amateur Championship Qualifying at Trevose. His performance was good enough to claim the Handicap Cup as well. He was a member of the Cornwall County team at this year’s SWCGA Championship at Cumberwell Park. Heading towards the end of the season he won the Depot Cup at Truro, the competition for Club Scratch Champions.

England Golf President Alistair Booth proposed a toast to the Cornwall Golf Union and made specific reference to the upcoming unification vote, Cornwall Seniors successes in reaching the county finals for three years running, the excellent hosting by St Enodoc of this year's Men's County Finals, and the ongoing success of West Cornwall born and bred Harry Hall. England Golf's aims in its 2025-2030 strategy will see the national governing body operate around its four key pillars which include being; safe, inclusive, sustainable, and inspirational and Booth urged counties to adopt the same aspiration.

Guest Speaker and triple amputee Josh Boggi received a standing ovation after having the audience spellbound as he spoke about his injuries sustained in Afghanistan, his long term recovery and his never give up attitude to life. Inspirational was the verdict of many of the listeners.

Closing the evening, Max Stockwell paid a tribute to CGU Secretary Chris Pountney retiring after 13 years in post. Responding Pountney said it had been an honour and a privilege to serve the Union, working alongside dedicated colleagues and witnessing the growth and successes of our golfing community in many different areas. He said he was grateful to have gained solid friendships with each of the six County Presidents he had served under, and their varied contributions to the Union should not be underestimated. The same applies to the various County Men’s & Seniors Captains, Section Heads, Junior Team Managers, and Committee members. Add to this the good working relationship with so many Club Proprietors, Managers and Secretaries and all of these had contributed to making his time so enjoyable. He singled out County Treasurer David West for his fiscal prudence of Union funds, Simon and Elaine Harper for their outstanding competition assistance and to Dee for her unwavering support.

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