Championship and Competitions Committee

The role of the committee is to provide well run championships and competitions for men, women and junior members of Kent clubs.

Planning, scheduling, budgeting, marketing and liaising with clubs to ensure the smooth running of all county events each year thereby offering enjoyable competitions for those who enter and play.  Each year the committee reviews the general competition rules of each event taking into consideration any amendments to the rules of competitive play from our Governing Body, England Golf.

All elements of running these events would not happen without our invaluable volunteers donating their time, Starters, Ball spotters, Helpers and our Referees to assist our Kent event managers on the day.

We are constantly reviewing how we can improve our events, service, and also look at new innovative ways to create more golfing experiences for all Kent golfers.

CHAMPIONSHIP AND COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE TEAM

Alan Austin (Chair – Knole Park)
Sarah McDonald (County Secretary – Wildernesse)
Hannah Eves (Assistant County Secretary)
Anne Wheble (Golf Manager)
Jane Marr (Kings Hill)
Helen Johnson (Shortlands)
Mark Ward (Rochester & Cobham)
Ken Hannah (Royal Cinque Ports)
Peter Long (Sundridge Park)

COURSE RATINGS

Mark Ward sits on The Handicaps and Course Rating Committee at England Golf as the representative for course ratings in the South East counties, though it may not always be someone from Kent Golf who fulfils this role, it just happens that Mark is one of the more experienced and knowledgeable course raters (in the country). There is no committee behind this role, Mark liaises with the appropriate counties on their course ratings.

Regarding Course rating in our county, Mark is currently the only qualified Lead Course Assessor. England Golf are very strict on the number of course raters that can have access to the rating platforms due to licensing issues. Mark is currently training Alan Austin (Chair of Kent Golf and Director of Championships and Competitions - Lamberhurst) to become a Lead Rater.

There are many other course raters who come out on a regular basis to help walk the courses and take measurements as we need a fair sized team given we have to rate every tee set.

Course rating is currently a sub-committee of two members - Mark Ward and Alan Austin - and they sit within the Championship Committee and carry out their own administration given they need to be flexible to fit in with clubs events/tee bookings and the weather.