Seniors events awarded to course

INTER-INSULAR golf is to be played at La Grande Mare from next year. The Guernsey Golf Union has awarded the west coast woodland course with the 2005 seniors (over-55s) island championship and the seniors inter-insular in 2006.

'We're over the moon with the news,' said club secretary Jane Vermeulen yesterday.

Roy Martel, the GGU's newly-elected president, said there had been no problem affording La Grande Mare, 10 years old this year, events traditionally confined to the L'Ancresse links.

'I think from the GGU's point of view the La Grande Mare was a successful course at the Island Games last year and as the GGU has a duty to all clubs on the island it was felt the time was right to start putting some of the championships there.

'It is an ideal course for the over-55s,' said Martel, who reminded people that 'fewer players were under par at La Grande Mare than they were at L'Ancresse in the Island Games.

'It is a difficult and challenging course in its own right.'

Martel could not, however, put a date on when the full island championships or main inter-insular would be awarded to the course.

'Whether the actual inter-insular goes to La Grande Mare in the near future is something we will have to think about. It won't happen in the next three or four years.

'I think it depends on further improvements being made, particularly the length.'

La Grande Mare is currently 4,596 yards (par 64), compared to L'Ancresse's 6,215 (par 70).

By the end of the summer the woodland course will push towards the 4,800 mark with the addition of a new hole (the sixth) and lengthened fourth and fifth holes.

All three are due to be ready for use by July.

A new green has been created for the par four fourth which will extend by approximately 90 yards and a new tee-box will lengthen the fifth by around 50 yards.

The new sixth will be a par three of approximately 165 yards, compared to the existing unsatisfactory 90-yard test.

The GGU has also announced a new island selection panel.

Micky King and Ken Tucknott retain their places and the newcomers are Lloyd Gaudion and Mike Vaudin.

Steve Turvey has been re-appointed non-playing island captain.