Group News

“Best ever” Foremost Championships raise the bar for Head Professionals and Assistants

Foremost Golf celebrated a record Championships week at The Oxfordshire Golf Club hosting the Head Professionals’ Championship on the 19th June and the Assistant Professionals’ Championship on the 21st June.

Punctuated by some outstanding performances on the golf course, the Championships offer members and assistants the chance to meet up with the Foremost team and network with fellow members. This year saw a reception event for participants in the Head Professionals’ event the evening prior, which further encouraged peer-to-peer conversations and engagement.

After debuting in the Head Professionals event in 2022, the Championships saw a birdie tracker running across both events respectively to raise charitable funds. Sponsors TaylorMade and Callaway each made a £5 donation per birdie made in their sponsored events, which was matched by Foremost to total substantial donations of £2,730 and £2,540 towards two charities.

Andy Martin, Foremost Managing Director, commented: “For us, the Foremost Championships represents so much more than a golf event. It was a delight for us to see so many of our member professionals and our focus was on creating engagement opportunities as well as hosting three excellent golf tournaments.

“The Championships had plenty of thrills with a hole-in-one, two play-offs, and three excellent winners. With the support of both of our sponsors, we’ve created a great atmosphere for our hard-working pros and assistants to come and enjoy themselves while still competing hard.

“There’s a lot of work that goes on to organise the events and, yet again, our team went above and beyond to create the best Foremost Championships week to date. They are a credit to the group and the members we serve.”

Left to right: Warren Wood - Rochester & Cobham, and Rob Humphrey -Tyrells Wood

Several participating member professionals had high praise for the event and took to social media to leave their thoughts. Ben Thompson, Head Professional at Werneth Low Golf Club, commented: “What another phenomenally run event by Foremost Golf at The Oxfordshire. Thank you to TaylorMade for a cracking set of gifts on arrival.”

Hilton Park Golf Club’s Ewan Grimes added: “What a fantastic two days down at The Oxfordshire for the Foremost Golf Head Professionals’ Championship. Thanks to everyone involved in the organisation and running of the event.”

Ben Brierley from Denbigh Golf Club also commented: “Fantastic event at The Oxfordshire for the Foremost Head Professionals Champs. Great course, well run and a good hospitality. Huge thanks to TaylorMade for their sponsorship and gift bag.”

Left to right: Foremost Managing Director, Andy Martin, Martyn Hamer, and David Silvers, TaylorMade Vice President and Managing Director

Martyn Hamer takes home top prize in Head Professionals’ Event

With the support of returning sponsors, TaylorMade Golf, Foremost welcomed a record attendance of 140 Foremost Head Professionals.

It was Martyn Hamer from Davyhulme Park Golf Club near Manchester who triumphed with an excellent score of 69, three-under-par, around the stern Oxfordshire test.

Commenting on his victory, Hamer said: “From pre-event, to arrival, and throughout the day, extra elements seem to be added each year to the Championship and nothing is too much trouble for Foremost. It's a unique event and I always thoroughly enjoy playing with likeminded players who, for the most part, are in similar scenarios at our clubs with great ideas to share. I know I've picked up some great ideas over the years that have helped by business. The support of TaylorMade means a lot for us guys working within the industry, and I’d like to thank them immensely for sponsoring the event.

“It was a bit of a surprise to shoot the score I did, to be honest. Having my dad on the bag was like going back in time, and winning the Foremost Championship together was one of the most emotional experiences in my playing career - it was awesome to get a glimpse of what we once did together and to show him I can still play this game.

“Foremost makes my own business more professional, run more efficiently, and saves me time and money. From the business services to the retail support and software, I’m confident Foremost is second-to-none. As a sign that Foremost have helped me engage with my membership more than I ever thought possible, I've had more than 100 messages from members of my club congratulating me.”

Left to right: Foremost Managing Director, Andy Martin, Ian Burnett, and David Silvers, TaylorMade Vice President and Managing Director

Ian Burnett wins tense play-off in Seniors’ Championship

Luffenham Heath’s Ian Burnett ended up taking home the Senior’s Championship prize, after defeating former European Tour player, Sion Bebb, in a sudden-death playoff. After the pair tied for the best score in the over-50’s category, Burnett produced a stunning shot from the fairway bunker on the 9th hole at The Oxfordshire in the playoff to help him claim victory.

“The event was fantastic, and the Foremost team always do a flawless job in executing a top-notch tournament. It was great, once again, to compete amongst my contemporaries and I played some good golf around the strong test of The Oxfordshire.

“In addition, the reception event prior to the golf was a superb opportunity to catch up with likeminded pros, sharing information and ideas in a relaxed environment away from the usual distractions of working life.

“I really owe a great deal to Foremost and the first-class business services that the group offers my business over the last 20-plus years. It’s all there for you to get as much out of it as you need, and I think any new club professional would be making a mistake not to join.”

TaylorMade’s Vice President and Managing Director, David Silvers commented: “It’s a genuine pleasure to sponsor the Foremost Head Professional Championships. Not only does it support Foremost who work tirelessly to support our brand and their members, but it’s an opportunity to connect and show our gratitude to our green grass retailers who are pivotal to our shared success.

Left to right: Foremost Managing Director, Andy Martin, Jamie Howarth, and Greg Pearse, Commercial Director Callaway Golf Europe LTD

Jamie Howarth tops strong field in Assistant Professionals’ event

It took another play-off to determine the winner of the Foremost Assistant Professionals’ Championship after Jamie Howarth and Ashton Turner both shot superb 69’s to tie for the lead.

The Assistant Professionals’ Championship, which also saw a record 138 competitors taking part, was supported once again by sponsors, Callaway, who tabled a comprehensive support pack for players including a full staff playing commitment for 2024 for the winner.

Hailing from Davenport Golf Club in Stockport, Cheshire, Howarth managed come through triumphant on the first play-off hole to claim the title.

Commenting on his victory, Howarth said: “The Foremost Assistants’ Championship is a proper tournament and an event I love to play in. It’s all the little things that add up to a great day and competition against some very strong players, at the same time as an opportunity to make contacts for the future. Hats off to the team at Foremost, who do a brilliant job making everyone feel special and a huge thank you to Callaway for their support commitment.

Callaway continued its support of the event and Foremost members, working hand-in-hand with Foremost to help stage an elevated tournament, while it retained the friendly and relaxed spirit of the Championships.

Greg Pearse, Commercial Director Callaway Golf Europe LTD, commented: “Our partnership with the Foremost team is incredibly important to us and we’re very proud to be supporting the Foremost Assistants Championship again this year.

“It’s always a great day and this year may have been the best yet! The golf course, the weather and the standard of golf were all superb. It was also lovely to hear all the positive feedback from the competitors who spoke so highly of the quality of the event and how well run it was.

“We know just how integral the Assistant Professional is at every golf club and how hard they work! It’s great to be able to work with the Foremost team to put on such a great experience for them and we’re already looking forward to next year’s event.”

For more information on how Foremost can assist you and your business in 2023 simply email membership@foremostgolf.com or call 01753 218 890

July 17, 2023By David Muller General 0