A3 Winter League

The A3 Winter League is a relatively new competition that provides competitive but sociable golf during the winter season for clubs lucky enough to be located close to the A3. There are currently five clubs involved: Old Thorns, Hurtmore, Milfordm Pyrford Lakes and Chichester.

Teams are formed of five pairs, and the format is Greensomes, with each club putting forward a team of five pairs for every match. Selected team players must be 55 or older, with an official handicap and be a member of the club they are playing for. There is a requirement for a minimum of six drives per player, with a scoring points system of one point per hole, so a maximum of 18 points per team, or 90 points per match.

The format has proved to be very enjoyable as every hole matters - whether you are winning or losing, every point counts.

Following our win this winter, in our first appearance in the competition, here is a message from our 2025/26 team manager, Tony James.

I would like to start by saying how much the support of all who have played for Chichester this season has been really great and made the organisational side pretty straightforward.

Next, WELL DONE to all our players! Our first season, the winners, and unbeaten in all our matches. It was a close run thing, we had lots of laughter, and we had to wait for the result of the final match before we could celebrate. This was the second year in a row that the competition went down to the last match, and  I expect that 2026/27 will be just as challenging to win.

Greensomes may not be everyone's favourite format, but playing to score a point for every hole certainly makes a big difference. Even if you are down in the match you can minimise any loss. It has proved to be very popular and in all honesty most of us have loved the format. 

Being able to play Pyrford Lakes, Hurtmore and Old Thorns, all clubs that we don't play in the summer, has also been a bonus, and Milford is also relatively new in that we have only played against them for one summer, so a good variety for us,

None of the other teams are located particularly close to Chichester, but a bit of car sharing and some good simple food has ensured that it has not been a chore to get there and back.

Winning this year has given us the honour of hosting the 2027 End of Season Bash next year, which will mean that 52 of us will be on the course on March 18th 2027 to celebrate the completed A3WL competition. Thanks to Aaron for all his support with the extra dates, also of course the office and clubhouse staff.

Even though we have had a somewhat wet winter, all our opponents have been most impressed with our club and the course -  very complimentary. I'm attempting to get them to enter into the 2026 ChiVets Open in August when the course will play very differently to their winter experience, Milford have already signed up.

Next year Stuart has agreed to take on the Team Manager role, so please support him as much as you can, and let's see if we can repeat.

Thats it from me.

Thanks all

Tony