The story of MercedesTrophy 2017

The MercedesTrophy is an annual amateur golfing tournament that brings together competitors from locations across the Mercedes-Benz retail network. It is completely free to enter and allows players to progress towards the Regional Finals at St George's Hill in Surrey and the National Final in St Andrews later this summer. Organised by your local Mercedes-Benz retailers and supported by Mercedes-Benz UK, the tournament promotes a golfing experience that is consistent with our luxury brand.

The competition starts with Club Qualifiers held at locations across the South West. Players compete within assigned handicap categories in the hope of progressing to our Retail Qualifiers and then on through the other stages of the competition.

Mercedes-Benz South West's Club Qualifiers have been taking place throughout the Spring. Here, we take a look back at some of our favourites and rate each one for the course's landscape, the weather conditions and the wind levels players faced on the day.

Saturday 4 March, 8:30am

Minehead and West Somerset Golf Course. It was a crisp and sunny start to our first MercedesTrophy Qualifier of 2017. Minehead and West Somerset Golf Course is a classic 18-hole links course that spans 6264 yards. It is cushioned both against the rugged backdrop of the Brendon Hills and the seaward views of the Bristol Channel.

We were lucky enough to share the occasion with Somerset Cricketer James Hildreth’s Testimonial day, of which we were sponsors. Golfers gathered early for the competition and the day ahead was to be enjoyed in fair conditions. Huge congratulations to Mike Nichols, Phil Arbourne and John Fulwell who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Taunton Retailer Golf Day at the end of May. Qualifier ratings:                   

Saturday 18 March, 8:00am

St Austell Golf Course. This 18 hole, 6,042 yard private members golf course is located just outside of St Austell. The course itself is an undulating parkland/heathland course which provides a test for both beginners and low handicappers alike.

The weather forecast stayed true to its predictions seeing a very wet and windy start. This didn’t seem to worry the early bird players at the morning tee off. Unfortunately, the rain stayed for most of the day. 

Huge congratulations to Alan Lund, Martin Watkins & Simon Prior who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Truro Retailer Golf Day.

Qualifier ratings:                   

Sunday 19 March, 7:50am

Launceston Golf Course.

Launceston Golf Club is the first golf club you come to as you cross the Cornish border. Its elevated levels offer spectacular countryside views over both Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, with majestic views of Launceston's historic town and castle.

MBSW welcomed all players at the starters hut on a day that members competed for their March medal alongside the additional competition to gain a place at a MercedesTrophy qualifier. The early starters faced challenging conditions with high winds and showers. However, we were treated to a brighter afternoon.

Huge congratulations to Geoff Francis, Pat Kendall, Sarah Ockwell and George Downing who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Plymouth Retailer Golf Day.

Qualifier ratings:               

Sunday 19 March, 7:50am

Cape Cornwall Golf Course. Cape Cornwall Golf Course is often described as one of Cornwall’s hidden gems and we would thoroughly agree. Situated on the wild and rugged cliff tops of the Cornish coastal path and overlooking 'Poldark's’ Brison rocks, it is a truly unique place with beautiful surroundings.

We had 38 ladies and gentlemen playing in the hope of winning their handicap category. With a chilly but dry start to the morning, the first players teed off at 7:50am and the last players by 12:00pm. By lunchtime the sun was trying to break out but strong winds battled the coastline for most of the day.

Huge congratulations to Steve Wicks, Bill Arnold & Edmond Leah who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Truro Retailer Golf Day.

Qualifier ratings:                  

Wednesday 22 March, 8:30am

West Cornwall Golf Course. MBSW was delighted to be able to hold a MercedesTrophy qualifier at West Cornwall Golf Club. The course was established in 1889, making it the oldest golf club in the Duchy. It has been moulded around the natural contours of the sand dunes that form part of the Hayle Estuary and Porth Kidney Sands. There are panoramic views from almost every hole, most noticeably of St Ives Bay and Godevy Lighthouse.

A round at West Cornwall Golf Course is nearly always played in conditions that test golfers of all abilities. Today was no exception and the weather posed quite a challenge. However, this didn’t put off the 60 players who took part.

Huge congratulations to Richard Bunch, Phil Hall and Mike Thomas who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Truro Retailer Golf Day.

Qualifier ratings:                  

Saturday 1 April, 7:30am

Dartmouth Golf Course. This wonderful Championship Golf Course has hosted the West Region PGA Championships on no less than 6 occasions. It has been designed to challenge the most proficient golfer with strategic positioning of tees, meandering streams, twelve water features and undulating greens.

We had another very wet and windy start but this fortunately didn’t seem to affect attendance. The competition kicked off at 7:30am with 50 players taking part overall.

Huge congratulations to Mark Beal, Kevin Matthews and Ray Coles who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Plymouth Retailer Golf Day.

Qualifier ratings:                  

Saturday 1 April, 7:30am

The Warren Golf Course. Our next MercedesTrophy Qualifier was held at The Warren Golf Club; a true links course celebrating its 125th year in operation. Situated on the South Devon coast, on the spit land in the mouth of the Exe estuary, the course provides a challenge to golfers of all abilities. It has 18 of the finest greens in the South West and breath-taking views out into the English Channel.

It was a spectacular, sunny morning and golfers teed off at 7:30am for both the ‘Peterkin Salver 36 hole men’s open medal’ and their MercedesTrophy competition.

Huge congratulations to Jeramy Binch, Paul Fryatt and Malcolm Watchorn who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Exeter Retailer Golf Day.

Qualifier ratings:                  

Thursday 6 April, 7:30am

Lanhydrock Golf Course. Hidden in a sheltered wooded valley in Bodmin, Cornwall, Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club is another of the South West's finest golf courses. Over the years the course has been beautifully shaped into the landscape, producing a 18 hole course that offers an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all abilities.

This is the second year that MBSW have held a qualifier at the course, with 60 members playing over two days in the hope to progress through the MercedesTrophy competition. 

We were lucky enough to meet Mr Mark Jones, winner of the MercedesTrophy National Final at St Andrews in 2015. Mark still looks back on that year’s tournament with great excitement which was hugely motivational to the other players present on the day.

The morning session started at 7:30am. On a beautiful, sunny day the game seemed smooth and fast.

Huge congratulations to Matthew Wonnacott, Mark Jones and Mike Rawlings who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Truro Retailer Golf Day.

Qualifier ratings:

                 

Sunday 9 April, 8:00am

Cannington Golf Course. Cannington Golf Course is a 9 hole, 18-tee golf course. It is located at Bridgwater & Taunton College's Cannington Centre, just four miles from the historic town of Bridgwater, and offers splendid views of the nearby Quantock Hills.

This was the first time MBSW have held a qualifier at the course. We had 30 members playing throughout the day and the sun was shining so everyone was in high spirits.

Huge congratulations to James Williams-Thomas, Andy Durham and Toby Wheeler who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Taunton Retailer Golf Day.

Qualifier ratings:

                

Saturday 22 April, 7:00am

Enmore Park Golf Course. Enmore Park Golf Course is another that falls in the fortuitous surroundings of the stunning Quantock hills. The championship course was established in 1932 then redesigned in 1972. Now stretching over 6453 yards, it offers a testing round of golf even from the first hole. 

Over 120 golfers joined us on the day and the weather proved to hold out for the duration. 

Huge congratulations to Ryan Brewer, Julie Blumgart and Barry Smith who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Taunton Retailer Golf Day.

Qualifier ratings:

             

Saturday 22 April, 7:00am

Woodbury Park Golf Course. We were joined by over 80 members for our Woodbury Park qualifier, which kicked off at 7:00am. The course is set in the heart of the Devon countryside, nestled within an area of outstanding natural beauty. Our competition took place on 'The Oaks' 18 hole course which covers 7,314 yards of striking parkland, rolling fairways and stunning lakes. 

Huge congratulations to John Anderson, David Freeman, Richard Earle and Christopher Wright who successfully qualified for the Mercedes-Benz of Exeter Retailer Golf Day.

Qualifier ratings:

                Thank you to all those who attended these or any of our other Club Qualifiers. Those who were successful in winning their handicap categories will have progressed through to one of the Retailer Qualifiers which are taking place at the moment. We wish you the best of luck! If you are interested in hearing more about our MercedesTrophy tournament and to find out how you can register your interest in MercedesTrophy 2018, please contact your local Mercedes-Benz South West retailer. To stay up-to-date with this year's competition, make sure you follow us on Facebook.