Dan Freeman retains Memorial Cup

Dan Freeman, event sponsor and defending champion, retained the J&P FREEMAN MEMORIAL CUP in spectacular style at Burghill Valley on Sunday.

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Dan and Tom Hunter finished tied for the lead with 40 points. But Dan's 14 point haul from the final four holes not only drew him level with Tom but guaranteed him victory on back nine countback.

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Torrential rain greeted the players over the first few holes with scoring getting off to a generally slow start. But the course dried out well and Dan & Tom were able to post important scores in the RGS League Championships as the season draws to a close.

Rich Hepplewhite pipped Sam Herbert for the 'Consolation Cash Prize' for the best back nine (18 points) on 'last six' countback.

Andy Sleightholme did the 'Nearest the Pin' AND 'Longest Drive' double for the second successive event (quite an achievement)!

And Tom Hunter pocketed the £26 pot for a birdie two by holing a long putt on the 12th.

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RGS League Championship update

League leader, Andy Gilmour, failed to improve his overall average on Sunday but still leads with a 35.40 average and a lowest qualifying score of 32. But in-form Dan Freeman (Wyeder Cup 'Man of the Match' and J&P champion) is now right on Andy's heels for the Overall title.

Dan's 40 point total at Burghill lifts him into second place overall with an average of 35.20 but Dan has the advantage of a lowest qualifying score of just 26. A handicap cut of 1.1 might not be enough to stop him but there will be a Handicap Committee meeting before The 2025 Bell Open in September (the final fixture of the season).

Cat A is probably between Andy Gilmour (unless he holds on to the Overall title), Kev Player and Leo Lucas. If Andy does stay top of the Overall league, then Deano & Kev Rushby also have an outside chance in Cat A.

Cat B is now well & truly in the bag for Dan Freeman if he doesn't overtake Andy Gilmour. But if he does, then six players have a realistic chance of the Cat B title. Andy Sleghtholme & Martyn Tyler have both posted at least 5 scores and can only improve on their averages - and both have qualifying scores in the 20s to build on. Mickey Pryce, Lee Evans, Ian Benjamin and Gavin Woodroffe all need a fifth qualifying score on Sept 7th but a good score could win them that title.

Tom Hunter's 40 point total on Sunday took him into a clear lead in Cat C with a 31.00 average but he has only put in 4 cards. Tom's score in the Bell Open (an event he has done well in before) will be crucial as his average can still drop and he will also be playing off a lower handicap after Burghill. Rich Hepplewhite is only 1.00 behind Tom (that is the equivalent of 5 stableford points or 5 shots) but Rich has posted 5 scores and has a very low qualifier of 18 to improve on. So a score of just 23 points at Bells would effectively bring Rich level. Dave Knapman is a further 0.40 behind.

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SINGLES MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS

James Holder has reached the RGS Singles Matchplay final, following a 3&1 win over Kev Player.

James meets the winner of Leo Lucas and Martyn Tyler, who play their semi final later this week. Leo will be hoping to avoid defeat to Reggie for the third season in a row!

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2025 BELL OPEN & RGS PRESENTATION NIGHT

The final event of the 2024/25 RGS season will be THE 2025 BELL OPEN on Sunday September 7th. First tee will be 12:36pm.

The BELL OPEN presentation, along with all the 24/25 RGS championships presentations, at a BBQ/Buffet at The Bel Inn, Redbrook on Sunday evening.