Liphook Sevens bid in Maplesden’s memory

LIPHOOK will try and create history by finally winning the Hampshire Sevens for the first time since the competition began back in 1966 – in Keith Maplesden’s memory.

And their seven-strong squad who will face four-time winners Hockley in Sunday morning’s semi-finals at Rowlands Castle, will be hoping that the club’s late president Keith Maplesden will be looking down on them and willing a few putts to drop that could turn the tide in their favour finally.

Maplesden, who became Hampshire Golf Union secretary in 1994, organised 12 Sevens finals days until his retirement in 2005, handing over to Liphook’s then secretary Barry Morgan, who ran the annual event, which normally comprises some 60 matches in the regional rounds, until his retirement in 2013.

Long-serving member John Groombridge was Liphook’s captain for the finals day at Lee-on-the-Solent in 2014. He handed over the Sevens team reins to James Cooper, who was in the side that day, the following season.

Cooper has captained the team every year since, and having been a “very lucky captain“ with the draw for the early rounds, is crossing everything that 2024 will finally be Liphook’s year.

James said: “When each round is drawn, the captains pick an odd or even number and the National Lottery bonus ball for that week is used to decide who is home and away.

“We have had home advantage for our four ties, so I have been lucky so far. We were all very shocked when Keith passed away suddenly. He was such a popular and well-liked figure at the club, that everyone knew.

“It would be a marvellous and fitting tribute to Keith, if Liphook could finally win the Sevens after all this time.

“The home draws have been a big help. With the handicaps now being full limit up to a maximum of 15, we have found they don’t travel so well when they come to Liphook.

“As well as our famous greens, the heather is always very thick, so you have to hit it straight and stay on the fairway to play well here.

“Our head greenkeeper David Murdoch always sets up the course beautifully, so hopefully the teams we have beaten have enjoyed their day at Liphook.”

Liphook beat Sherfield Oaks 6-1 before knocking out Test Valley, who were in the last four in 2018. That 4-3 win set up a clash with five-time winners Army GC, their toughest test so far, but they eased into the last eight with a 51/2-1½ victory.

Alton travelled to the Wheatsheaf Enclosure in August, but left with just half-a-point to their name as Cooper’s side brushed them aside.

James added: “The majority of our team have a lot of experience in the Sevens now, including my predecessor John, who has played in nearly every Sevens match since, having been a member here for 20 years.

“Richard Lushington and Bruce Mellstrom have been members for similar lengths of time and also played in the 2014 finals day,” added the skipper who joined the club when he was nine in 1997.

“Players like Trevor Finlay and Hamish Rushin have played in the past, but become regulars this year, while Steve Schorah and Murray Abraham have been Liphook members for 20 years or more – Murray is well-known for his draw shot.

“Our longest-serving member is David Story, who has been a member since he was a boy, I daren’t say how long ago that was.

“Chris Penn played for Bohunt in the Sevens before our amalgamation a couple of years ago, and has been a regular in our team since.

“I have not been able to play in the previous rounds, but will be playing in at least one of the matches on Sunday.

Back in 1966, England had been crowned World Cup winners just a couple of months before Army Command became the first winners of the inaugural Hampshire Inter-Club Knockout.

Liphook is rightly ranked as the best course in Hampshire in all the Top 100 UK golf clubs lists that exist – the fast, sloping greens are fearsome and as quick as most in the South East of England.

But when it comes to the county’s handicap matchplay knockout competition, that distinct home advantage has never been enough to propel Liphook through the regional rounds to the final, and get their hands on the silver trophy.

This year, they must overcome three-time winners Hockley in the semis with the winner facing either Royal Jersey or giant-killers Southwick Park in the afternoon final.

The East Hampshire club have reached the finals day twice before in the last 24 years – firstly, at Royal Winchester in 2004, when Ryan Mustkin’s team were beaten in the semi-finals.

And Groombridge’s team had to settle for the third and fourth-place play-off 10 years ago when they were beaten by rivals Old Thorns, who beat them 41/2-21/2 on their way to their first Sevens triumph, beating mighty Stoneham in the final.

Stoneham have the strongest category one membership in the county, but like Liphook have never won the trophy.

Hockley, which like Stoneham and LIphook, is part of the rota that hosts Hampshire Golf’s blue riband county championship, last won the Sevens in 2008 when they hosted the finals.

They have the chance to join the two clubs that have won the County Sevens five times or more – hosts Rowlands Castle have a record six victories since their first win in 1971.

The latter were the winners when they hosted the event in 2002, and were knocked out by 2017 finalists Ryde, from the Isle of Wight, who were then beaten by Southwick Park in the quarter finals.

Royal Jersey have three Sevens wins to their name, but were beaten by Rowlands Castle at Barton-on-Sea six years ago.

Now captain Cooper will be hoping that the team he has assembled for the 57th finals day will emerge victorious, with some heavenly help from Keith Maplesden.