HeskethGolf Club
Hesketh Golf Club
Regional Qualifying 2023 - Review
Regional Qualifying 2023 - Review
Pre Event
Whilst the club has a long and distinguished history hosting major events and championships, the particular story of Regional Qualifying in 2023 began in December 2019. Following a visit by R&A Officials to assess the course and club, a letter was received inviting the club to host Regional Qualifying in 2021, for the 150th Open Championship.
The then Board were informed on a confidential basis and agreed to the club hosting the event, whilst having to remain under embargo by the R&A until an official press statement would be released in late 2020.
Whilst focus would be on preparing for hosting Regional Qualifying, it was always clear any amendments or improvements to the course and club would be primarily for the members.
Moving on and into 2020, we all remember the beginning of the covid pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns, culminating in a postponement of the 2020 Open Championship.
The postponement meant that a delay to Hesketh hosting Regional Qualifying must be made, pushing back our first year to 2022.
The continuing covid pandemic and government covid measures in 2021 meant that Regional Qualifying was amended, meaning the traditional method of several clubs hosting was abandoned. This added another year delay to our hosting of Regional Qualifying, now moved to 2023.
Late into 2022, the R&A made the official announcement, meaning we too could advise members and the public that we had been chosen to host a stage of The Open Championship once again. A very proud day for all connected to the club.
The announcement that we would host on Monday 26th June 2023 was key, and timed well when considering the installation of the Horizontal Well had been completed and the course benefitting from the increased amount of water available.
Visits by the R&A and their agronomists (course management experts) continued through 2022 and into early 2023.
Planning meetings in the Clubhouse also took place on several occasions with officials from St Andrew's in attendance. The planning of such events is extensive and with the event being on the world stage, almost every aspect covered in advance.
Moving into early 2023, our plea to members to assist with volunteering was delivered by our Chief Volunteer Dave Harrison. Due to such a fantastic response, having comfort in the knowledge the majority of volunteering tasks were covered so far in advance was very much welcome.
As time passed and we moved into early June, planning continued and we started to receive the initial set of deliveries of equipment from the R&A. Several large boxes of general equipment, alongside scoreboards, tee markers, pin flags, main flag and a fully mobile radio system were just some of the items required.
The logistics and planning pre event was excellent, and enhanced by the way in which our club staff and team facilitated several aspects on site.
The Week Leading Up to the Event
As with most events, the week leading up to the event is the most hectic and can sometimes present the most challenges. Thankfully not too much out of the norm took place and plans were followed well, albeit a couple of last minute deliveries only landing on the Thursday.
Whilst planning continued in the clubhouse, the majority of the extra work was undertaken by our Green Team led by Course Manager Peter McVicar. This meant early starts, split shifts and several late finishes, and we are indebted to the team for such dedication.
The R&A officially arrived on Saturday 24th June, with Peter and I meeting Stuart Graham, the R&A Member in Charge.
Initial setup of the R&A Championship Office in the Eileen Winders Lounge was followed by a course inspection and work to mark out white and red line out of bounds and penalty areas respectively.
Whilst official practice took place on Sunday, several, non prime time tee times were allocated in the week leading up to the event. The practice day, Sunday, saw the driving range open at 07:00 for a first tee time of 08:00 and our volunteer teams called into action for practice ground monitoring & ball collection, alongside starter duties. Thank you to those volunteers who provided assistance on the practice day.
Once practice was completed, following a minor delay due to heavy rainfall and potential thunder, the Green Team completed an evening shift cutting and applying finishing touches.
In the evening a welcome reception was held in the clubhouse by the R&A for the volunteers and club officials. The R&A thanked the club in advance for hosting once again and provided great comments about the club and course. The Gentlemen's Captain Mr Roger Baron accepted a gift of R&A Crystal Glasses on behalf of the club. The glasses are on display in the Main Lounge trophy cabinet.
The Day Itself
Course Setup
Whilst many days start early for the Green Team, Monday 26th June 2023 was even earlier than normal. Peter being opening the greenkeeping facility at 03:20, just as one of the volunteer greenkeeping team arrived, Tom from Tacit, a supplier of greenkeeping equipment such as flags, pins and rakes etc.
Alongside our in house greenkeeping team of Peter, Dave, Ken, Lewis, Dennis, Kieran, Jamie and Dan, they were joined by ex greenkeeper Hayden and greenkeepers from Royal Birkdale, Hillside and West Lancashire.
At 03:30 the team headed out to start course preparations and finalise course setup including hole cutting, bunker raking and hand cutting the greens.
Green Director Ian Clark was on hand to assist in all of the finishing touches.
Given the strong winds forecast, the greens were left at a stimp meter pace of around 9.
The team continued course setup and the last machine was off the course by around 07:15, just 30 minutes after the first tee time.
Clubhouse
Shortly after the greenkeepers, the Clubhouse opened its doors at roughly 05:00 as Karen Courtney our House Manager, and new Deputy Rob Robinson got the all important coffee pots on. The kitchen opened at 05:30 and service began at 05:45.
Jo Pimenta our Maintenance Supervisor was on site from 05:00 to help ensure systems ran smoothly and any minor issues resolved straight away.
Laura Pilkington our Office Assistant opened the office doors at 07:00 and administrative assistance was given to the R&A throughout the day, until Christie Banks our Assistant Secretary left at 18:30.
The hospitality team did a fantastic job throughout the day, ensuring players, caddies, members and visitors were fed and watered in a timely fashion. With food available from 05:30 to 19:45 it was a long day, and we are grateful to our kitchen team led by Karen and Head Chef Ian Foley for keeping on top of orders and quality throughout the day.
The Bar team led by Karen, Rob and Bar Supervisor Carol Parkes kept glasses topped up and service was given with a smile throughout the day. Many members made use of the bar and 19th tee throughout the day, and it was a joy to feel such a positive vibe across the entire club site.
The Halfway House was well utilised by spectators, meaning for the majority of the day two staff were present to ensure orders were completed in an acceptable timeframe. Over 85 sausage rolls were enjoyed, a new daily record!
The Pro Shop played a major role in the delivery of the event, being open longer hours and providing all of the essentials required for playing and spectating. Thank you to Scott Astin our Head Professional, Jack Harrison, Assistant Professional and Meegan Switzer, Shop Assistant.
The Volunteers
Once again Hesketh's membership gathered in numbers to assist the club in the various volunteer roles required throughout the weekend.
The roles of starters, ball spotters, car park supervisors, recorders, road crossing supervisors, roaming marshalls and practice ground supervisors were all valuable, and added a real touch of class to such a prestigious event.
Co-ordinated superbly by Dave Harrison and Bernie Barnes, the experience of assisting at previous Open Championships, local events and recently the DP World Tour event at Hillside proved vital as our volunteer efforts were commended by the R&A and PGA referees on site on Monday.
Thank you all!
The Event
The first group got underway, on time at 06:45.
A strong westerly wind remained throughout the day providing a real test to the players.
With the challenging conditions, some excellent golf was played, alongside some that struggled in the conditions.
Special mention must go to Jack McPhail of Southport and Ainsdale for a phenomenal 68. Earlier in the year Jack won the Hesketh Henriques with rounds of 70 & 68.
As with the majority of the other venues, 8 spots into Final Qualifying were assigned to Hesketh.
8 qualifiers were identified without the need for a playoff. The qualifying score of 72 meant those with a 72 or better advance to Final Qualifying on Tuesday 4th July to compete for a place in the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
For full scores and information about Final Qualifying please click the following links
Image Review
Thank you to Hesketh member Brad Ormesher for helping us remember the day by taking some fantastic professional photographs.
We have a vast selection in our internal archive, but wanted to share a few with you now
Final Thank Yous
Thanks go to everyone connected to Hesketh Golf Club.
This great club once again showcased everything it has to offer on an international stage, and it delivered in every aspect.
Despite this several lessons have been learned on how we can make further marginal gains and improvements next time. We are undertaking a review with volunteers (& with the R&A) to ensure we learn lessons and do an even better job if and when we get confirmation of hosting Regional Qualifying for the next 3 years.
Regional Qualifying 2023, what a memorable experience!
Martin Edge I Secretary Manager
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