TOMMY HORTON MBE

Born St. Helens, Merseyside, where his family were evacuated fromJerseyduring the German occupation in the Second World War. Tommy moved to Ham Manor in 1959 and became the full professional at the club in 1959. He married Helen in 1967 and whilst at the club his son and daughter were born. Moving back toJerseywith the family in 1975.

He joined the professional tour in 1964 and continued to play until 1991.

During his career he has –

Captained the PGA in 1978, Chairman of the European Tour Committee 1985 – 1988, Won 4 European Titles , Finished 5th in Order of Merit 1976 and 10th in both 1974 & 1978, Topped the money list on the Senior’s Tour in 1993; 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999, Ryder Cup appearance in 1975 when there were 32 matches in the schedule his partners were John O’Leary and Norman Wood, with other members of the team including Tony Jacklin; Peter Ooosterhouse; Bernard Gallacher; Brian Barns; Eamon D’Arcy; Christy O’Connor Jnr. Second Ryder Cup appearance in 1977 when the schedule had changed to 20 matches - In the foursomes he was partnered by Mark James against Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. He partnered Brian Barnes in the 4BBB against Tom Watson and Hubert Green. He played the singles against Dave Hill. Other members of the team were Mark James; Nick Faldo and Ken Brown.

1977 was the last time the format of Great Britainand Ireland vs U.S.A.- It subsequently changed to include Europe.

And finally ..............Tommy set our course record of 62 in 1970

On Saturday, 2 June, 2012, The Flying Divots (aka Elaine Brown & Rose Latham) will undertake a tandem sky dive from 12,000 feet to raise money for motor neurone disease. Each year the Captain's at Ham Manor Golf Club choose a charity to raise money for. This year Pip Carr & Peter Broome have chosen MND West Sussex South. All the proceeds from Elaine and Rose's Skydive will be donated to MND West Sussex South. “YOUR BELIEFS BECOME YOUR THOUGHTS,YOUR THOUGHTS BECOME YOUR WORDS, YOUR WORDS BECOME YOUR ACTIONS”

WHY ? Rose says that it will be 10 minutes of fear for them but once you are diagnosed with MND there is no cure.

WHY MND ? Elaine says it is a charity that works quietly behind the scenes.

WHY NOW ? Elaine says in Jubilee year it is important to have a big drive for a local charity.

WHY YOU ? Rose says “this is our special challenge for 2012”

We would like to congratulate Ham Manor's Josh Glossop on winning the title of "Sussex Boys Champion of Champions for 2011/2012".

The Junior Champions for 2010 and 2011 of every club in Sussex play in the competition. The previous winner in 2010 was Sam Dix, also of Ham Manor, so we have enjoyed great success in this event.

Josh scored a 73 on a very blustery day at West Hove on Monday 24th October- the same score achieved by Marco Penge (Worthing). This resulted in a sudden death play-off which was won by Josh with a par 3 on the first extra hole.

WELL DONE JOSH! 

Thank you to the Captains of 2011 for a wonderful year. The Captains Charity "St Barnabas" have received over £12,000, so thanks to all the members and guests who donated throughout the year.

Matt Perks, First Assistant/Mechanic from Ham Manor Golf Club, West Sussex, is the 2011 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year. Matt, 28, emerged as the winner from a strong field of eight students from all over the UK, with Robert Mills, a Sunningdale Assistant, and Miles Todd, Deputy Course Manager, of Rhuddian GC runners up. Matt is the second winner to emerge from Ham Manor Golf Club, as current Course Manager, Alan Pierce won the title in 2005.

Matt wins an eight week trip to the United States which includes a six week study course at the University of Massachusetts, a trip to the Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas and a visit to Toro's Californian-base. For more pictures, click here.

During the 1840s, Squire William Gratwicke of Ham Manor was one of the most well known and respected men in racing circles in England. His racing stables were situated at Michelgrove about three miles to the north of Angmering village. Such was his stature on the turf, that the Gratwicke Stakes and the New Ham Maiden Fillies' Stakes are still run in his memory at Goodwood. Most racehorse owners aspire to winning the Derby once during their lifetimes but Gratwicke was fortunate to have won it on two occasions. The first was in 1829 when it was won for him by his horse Frederick. His second success was in 1845 with his two-year old, Merry Monarch.Frederick, ridden and trained by Mr John Forth, was a rank outsider for the Derby at 40/1 but won for Gratwicke £2650 in prize money, which equates to about £110,000 in today's values. John Forth was alleged to be 60 years of age when he rode Frederick, and still holds the record for being the oldest jockey of a Derby winner. Frederick was buried on Gratwicke's estate under the trees in his paddock close to what is now the 18th green of Ham Manor Golf Course. The headstone (see below) reads "Frederic 1837". It is not known why the "k" was left off the end of the name.

In 1845, Merry Monarch won at 15/1, the jockey being Foster Bell. John Forth was again the trainer and it is concluded he was based at the Michelgrove stables. A photo of a painting of Merry Monarch is displayed in the clubhouse of Ham Manor Golf Club. Forth was also the trainer of the 1840 Derby winner, Little Wonder, believed to be stabled at Michelgrove, who was owned by David Robertson. Little Wonder was another rank outsider, winning at odds of 50/1. Merry Monarch won at 15/1, the jockey being Foster Bell. John Forth was again the trainer and it is concluded he was based at the Michelgrove stables. A photo of a painting of Merry Monarch is displayed in the clubhouse of Ham Manor Golf Club. Forth was also the trainer of the 1840 Derby winner, Little Wonder, believed to be stabled at Michelgrove, who was owned by David Robertson. Little Wonder was another rank outsider, winning at odds of 50/1. Merry Monarch's success may well have been attributed to the manner in which the horse found its way to Epsom.

The Squire invented what is now the forerunner of the horsebox - a large box on wheels, made locally, and drawn by two cart-horses. The journey took about three days but the jockey travelled with the horse and exercised him each evening in a suitable field. Prior to this time, horses were either walked to the race meeting or took an uncomfortable journey by train. Gratwicke's horsebox also embraced a communications system with the stables - carrier pigeons! They brought messages notifying the stables of the journey's progress and early news of the winning of the race. St Margaret's Church in Angmering was in poor condition at the time and legend has it that Squire Gratwicke promised the Rector that he would finance the rebuilding of the church from the winnings if his horse won the Derby. Whether the story is true, we will now never know. The fact is, however, that Squire Gratwicke did indeed provide money for the church rebuilding plus the rebuilding of Older's School opposite, and the Vestry Hall and lychgate - the work being undertaken by the architect S S Teulon and completed in 1853. Apart from the Derby, Gratwicke had other successes on the turf. For instance, his horses Cheerful, Hesse Hamburg and Earl won the Newmarket Handicap on three occasions in 1850, 1851 and 1856 respectively. Additionally, his horse, Governess, ridden by Tom Ashmall, won the Oaks at 4/1 in 1858.