J Ford Championship Round 1 Gross
J Ford Championship Round 1 Gross 15th. September 2018
The J Ford is simply the most prestigious trophy we have in our cabinet . This 36 hole scratch competition decides our own ‘ Champion Golfer of the Year’ so our focus shifts to our small band of elite ‘ Category One golfers who will surely battle for this sought after title .
Glen Rothwell (73) is in pole position to regain his treasured J Ford Championship with a superb display today .
The quinquagenarian 2015/2016 winner produced a ‘best in show’ level par performance on the front 9 highlighted by consecutive birdies on 7 and 8 with only one uncharacteristic double on 2 whilst he shared the best effort on the back 9 dropping only 2 shots .
He has a 4 shot lead and only a brave man would bet against him regaining the title and making it his third victory in 4 years .
Norman Crowther (77) was considered an outsider for this Championship but the quinquagenerian produced a wonderful round today to finish in second place after the first round .
The genial SBE frontman , Committee stalwart , LiverpoolFC supporting occasional DJ , MC and former captain led the field after a great birdie on the tricky first was the highlight of his front 9 that saw him 4 over at the turn but he responded magnificently on the back 9 to post a joint ‘ best in show ‘ 2 over to stay 4 shots behind ... highlights were his birdies on 11 and 15 !
Defending champion Stuart Royle (79) finds himself in third place after a steady round by his standards today . 4 over after his front 9 where birdies at 4 and 8 were cancelled out by 4 bogeys and an uncharacteristic double on the benign 6th ... in his back 9 5 pars and 4 bogeys have left him 6 shots back of the leader and it will take a great round to again win this championship !
Mark Snape (79) is also in touching distance in fourth place after a steady but unspectacular round today ... scoring 4 over in both rounds but unusually no birdies to report but 12 pars 4 bogeys and 2 costly doubles leave him needing a great score tomorrow to fight for the Championship !
Nathan Butterworth (81) had a topsy turvy round with the highlights undoubtedly his birdie on 4 then consecutive ones on 11 and 12 ... sadly 13 shots dropped including an uncharacteristic 5 doubles meant the quadragenarian copper is 8 shots back with only a realistic hope of making the minor places tomorrow .
Pre-tournament favourite ( and recent capture from Sale GC ) Mark Marshall (81) had a poor day by his standards . Highlights were his birdies on 4 and 9 but a disastrous quad bogey 8 on the second hole had earlier derailed his challenge but regrouped to a more respectable3 over ... his back 9 sadly saw him lose 7 more shots to stand 8 behind and in need of a stellar round tomorrow to get back into serious contention for the title .
