The Beau Desert “Stag” was the brain child of M. J. (Miles) Chatterton who felt that a club and course of Beau Desert’s undoubted standing should have a top class open, amateur competition, attracting the scratch and low handicap golfer. In 1979 he presented the magnificent “Stag” trophy – and sufficient replicas for many years – to the Club, and since its first playing in 1980 the competition has moved from strength to strength – with a gross 66 being scored in 1986 and the “Stag” becoming an essential date in the diary of many fine golfers around the country.

Pictured right is the 2009 Stag Champion - Jarred McKnight, a +1 handicapper from Whiitington Heath Golf Club. Jarred shot a 68 in the morning followed by a 72 in the afternoon for a 36 hole total of 140, three shots ahead of second place.