FARNHAM Golf Club has won a top national award.
The club has been named England Golf’s Tournament Venue of the Year for 2021.
Farnham was on a shortlist of four for the award, after hosting the English Under-18 Championship last summer – which for the first time saw boys and girls tee up alongside one another and compete for one trophy.
It was deemed a huge success – and the course was set up so fairly that boys finished first and third, and girls were second and fourth.
The other three clubs on the shortlist were Headingley in Yorkshire, Malton and Norton in Yorkshire, and Whittlebury Park in Northamptonshire.
Farnham found out they had won the award at a virtual ceremony hosted by broadcaster, journalist and avid golfer Naga Munchetty last Wednesday evening (April 20). The ceremony was broadcast live on England Golf’s YouTube channel.
Farnham general manager Ben Beagley said: “As a club, we’re delighted to win this award.
“A group of us gathered in the clubhouse to watch the awards evening live together.
“I had to say a few words to Naga Munchetty, which I wasn’t prepared for as I had no idea we would win – so I was on the spot.
“Last year was the club’s 125th anniversary and it was great for us to host our first England Golf championship to celebrate.
“We had more than 90 volunteers who helped with the event, as well as the club’s staff.”
Farnham Golf Club is continuing to invest in its junior section, and Beagley sees a bright future for the club.
“We have some wonderful talent and the club is very proud of the junior section,” he said.
“As well as Lottie Woad, we have her sister Milly, Hannah Link and a number of other talented junior players.
“Our junior section is not for profit, and as we made a small profit on the English Under-18 Championship we invested that money into the juniors.”