England Golf Week: Downing completes emotional win

Clive Downing completed an emotional rollercoaster as he became England’s male handicap golfer of the year.

The Hillsborough golfer fired a nett four-under 68 on the Red course at Frilford Heath, in Oxfordshire, and came off the course in tears.

He revealed: “It’s been an emotional day because my wife has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.”

His wife, Jane, who was diagnosed in the last few weeks, accompanied him to the championship and walked the last nine holes as he played his way to success.

“It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever won in golf,” said Downing, who was playing off a six handicap. “It’s been fantastic and everyone has been so supportive of Jane.”

He finished two shots ahead of a group of three players who had nett scores of two-under 70: Graham Anstey (The Kendleshire), Darren Booker (Tadmarton Heath) and Roman Toloczko (Scraptoft). The host club’s William Ayres took fifth place on 73.

The Gold Medal was open to the 2015 medal winners at English golf clubs and the finalists all won through a regional round to take their place at Frilford Heath, where the championship was part of England Golf Week.

Downing’s delight

This five-day festival of golf included a host of finals for handicap players, involving over 500 competitors in total.

Downing was originally third reserve for the Gold Medal final, but once he got his place he made no mistakes.

He went round in a gross score of two-over par 74, which he described as “fantastic”, especially after a disappointing practice round.

Downing’s short game was brilliant, with a chip-in on the long sixth for an eagle three and two long putts holed, both from off the green.

On medal golf, he added: “It’s a good test of mind and it’s character building. I had a double bogey, but then came back par, par.”

Picture courtesy of Leaderboard Photography

Steve Carroll

A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.

Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.

What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.