BURNHAM & Berrow Golf Club hosted the Gloucestershire Golf Union Under-18 squad as they played with existing and past European Tour professional golfers.

Chris Wood, Stuart Little and others shared their skills and experiences with budding young golfers.

They were joined by outgoing men’s firsts captain, Andy Rudge, and incoming captain Paul Garland.

Chris Wood said: “The experience of the Gloucestershire Golf Union (GGU) provided a stepping stone for me to becoming a professional golfer.

“It wasn’t just the golfing experience that I relished, it was also the friendships I formed.

“In fact I’m still really good friends with some of the guys I played County golf with 10 years ago.

“It’s great to see the coaching programmes in which the GGU is investing to support our talented young players.

“I was in this position 10 years ago, and I’m sure the goal of the GGU is to produce more and more European Tour players in the future.”

Outgoing men’s first team captain, Andy Rudge, and incoming captain this year, Paul Garland, both said: “It’s great to have witnessed amateur golfers who have come through the ranks of the GGU turn professional and come back and offer their time as well as their invaluable experience to our junior squad.

“It’s not every day that you get the chance to play golf with a Ryder Cup player!”

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

Chris Wood with, left, Jack Cope (GGU and U18 England squad member) and, right, Matt Bell (GGU U18 captain)

Stuart Little, ex-European Tour player said: “In 2003, I was playing in the same winter get-together with Chris Wood when he was in the GGU Under-18 squad and it’s great to see how well he’s done.

“Someone of his stature magnanimously giving back to his grass roots is inspirational.

“It’s also a great opportunity for our junior squad to see how good you need to be to make it in golf.”

Gary Ward, manager of the Under-18 squad, said: “What a hugely inspirational experience for our juniors today at Burnham & Berrow.

“The Christmas get-together underpins the ethos of the GGU where we bring together the sum of the past and the present to create an environment of learning for the future.

“I would like to thank Chris Wood, Stuart Little, Jamie Dick, Guiseppe Licata, Mitch Waite and Andy Rudge.

“Let’s hope we can provide the stepping stones for more junior golfers to follow in their footsteps.”

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BURNHAM & Berrow Professional George Ryall started the New Year with a bang as he won the opening G&S PGA Medal of 2017 with an eight-under-par 63 on the Old Course at Minchinhampton.

He had a sensational opening – eagle, birdie, eagle, birdie, to race to six under par after just four holes.

This was the springboard to win by three from Ross Langdon and Ian Brown.

Next week sees the first of a three-week ‘Links Swing’ as Burnham & Berrow play host to the Pros.

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STEVE Jones didn’t enjoy the best of seasons on the golf course in 2016 by his standards but he got 2017 off to a winning start on the opening Saturday of the year at Brean.

He claimed the Monthly Medal for Division 1 and also collected the New Year’s Trophy awarded for the leading score overall on the day.

He was pleasantly surprised by his return to form as his nett 64 saw him two clear of Pete Barton and Murray Parsons, with Barton taking second on countback.

Tony Romeo was the other cup winner as he claimed the Deacon Trophy for the leading score in the third division.

It was decided on countback, as Jeff Read lost out on the back nine after both handed in 66s.

Pat Mullholland took third on 68.

Martyn Cahill was victorious in the middle division, as his nett 65 brought him top spot by a single stroke.

Brian Read, father of Jeff, was second as he edged Dave Bradley on countback.

The following day, Matt Shaw continued his excellent form of late with a spectacular round in the Winter League.

His 44-point card was one better than David Hunter to take top spot and move nicely up the points qualifying table.

He covered the front nine in just 29 strokes gross and started back eagle, birdie to stand on the 12th tee at a superb seven under par.

A ‘mini collapse’ over the last few holes did not deny the 23-year-old victory and another sizeable handicap reduction.

Hunter was one point behind as he took the runners-up prize ahead of Pete Barton, third with 42.

Meanwhile, Tony Roper took victory in the opening Seniors Medal of 2017.

In an event contested on the temporary greens, due to frost, he returned a nett 62 to hold a one stroke advantage over Ken Ponter.

Ponter headed home a trio of players who posted 64 as he took the runners-up spot, with Roger Phillips edging George Stratford and Steve Bentley for third.