Monday, 30 January 2012

Consecutive gross birdies win(d)s it for Gavin & Trevor

The Outlane 2012 opening four ball competition had weather that you did well to stand up in never mind to play golf in such was the windy conditions which for the winners of the first division Gavin Hirst and Trevor Mullins a nett 64 was a remarkable score.

Their opening ten holes included 3 consecutive gross threes (8,9,10) which helped them to a first nine total of 30 nett and then a more than excellent 34 back against the strong wind and then another 3 for a 2 on the 17th which gave them a 3 shot winning margin.

In second place the combination of Nigel Crowther and Martin Atkinson was a case of one player getting the score on one hole and then the other reciprocating the score on the next which meant a nine hole apiece scoring round. Kevin Sykes and Steve McNair were one shot behind them with a 68 to claim third spot.

The second division saw Paul Thomas and Steve Crank registering a 67 to win their section and they could even afford to have a 7 on the last hole such was their previous good scores (32 out and 35 in ).Second place in this section was Ian Charles and Alan Henderson who just got the better of Steve Bradley and Brian Moroney with a better back nine score from both of their 69 nett scores

January Four Ball
First Division:
Gavin Hirst / Trevor Mullins = 64 nett
Nigel Crowther / Martin Atkinson = 67 nett
Kevin Sykes / Steve McNair = 68 nett

Second Division:
Paul Thomas / Steve Crank = 67 nett
Ian Charles / Alan Henderson = 69 nett (better back nine)
Steve Bradley / Brian Moroney= 69 nett

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Latest Hanging Heaton News

Captain’s Christmas Cracker - Saturday 24th December
Club Captain, John Newsome alongside PGA Professional Gareth Moore hosted on Christmas Eve the Captain's Christmas Cracker 3 man 14 hole team event.

The highlight of the morning groups was Steve Farrar, who was misguided into wearing fancy dress and turned up as an American Footballer!!

Three Santa's turned up in the afternoon, being Jeff Allott, Jon Allott and Andrew Snare.

The results were as follows:
1st Place; Kim Walker, Steve Leather & Dave Leather with 41 points - £25 each
2nd Place; Stuart Robinson, Ken Woolford & Mark Senior with 40 points - £20 each
3rd Place; Matt Whitehead, Paul Ratcliffe & Scot Minto with 38 points - £15 each

2's Club:
Kim Walker, Matt Whitehead, Graham D Moore x 2, Richard Pollard, Mo Coe, Johnny Mayhew, Barry Thompson & Trevor Hooley - 4 Balls per 2

Gamble
For those who had a gamble to beat the Professional, Captain & President, as a team they scored 33 points (-5). Those beating this score double their money. All monies won will be credited to pro shop accounts.

Captain Vs President
Last Tuesday, 27th December, the Captain Vs President Team Challenge took place, with 44 people competing in total.

Played on alternative basis of a stableford competition and the aggregated scores for the two teams going head to head. The scores were 465:464 in the President's teams favour.

The best card on the day was Paul Ratcliffe and Rick Oakes with 44 points.

An excellent event proved a huge success and £77 was raised towards the Captain's charities, through the means of the auction and quiz.

A huge thank you goes to all who participated and supported the Captain, the President and the Captain's Charity.


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Friday, 6 January 2012

The early birds rise to the occasion

The aptly named Outlane 2011 Final Four Ball Competition played on New Years Eve produced some excellent scoring with the first four ball out finishing second and the second four ball out finishing first. 

In fact the early morning twilight starters began their round before it actually got light but found the conditions to their liking and the winners Dave Thewlis and Ron Hardy came in with 47 points and the combination worked well together with the formers shot a hole coming in on 8 holes whilst the latter had 10 holes on the score card and with the light getting better so was their scoring with 25 points on the back nine to follow the 22 on the opening nine holes.In second place were Andy Shaw and Arthur Daker who had a better back nine score than Keith Birchenall and Brian Cassidy who were one of the last tee times out and with 46 points must have thought they had a winning score. 

The remaining place was one which saw Peter Lawrence-Brown having to make a desperate phone call just before his tee off time to Bob Hazelden to see if he could play after his original partner cried off and then another two gave back word after agreeing to join him earlier. Fourth replacement Bob (it was only his third time playing this year due to health problems) stepped in and a total of 44 points put them in the prizes which was due to a tremendous inward total of 25 points which included a four point hole score from each player

FINAL 2011 FOUR BALL
Dave Thewlis / Ron Hardy = 47 points
Andy Shaw / Arthur Daker = 46 points (better back score)
Keith Birchenall / Brian Cassidy = 46 points
Peter Lawrence-Brown / Bob Hazelden= 44 points

Tuesday, 3 January 2012

13 not unlucky for the Outlane aces

The 2011 season proved to be special for 3 Outlane golfers when they notched their second holes in one in three years. 

In fact there was an abundance of holes in one with 13 being recorded in 2011 which beat the two previous years (2009 & 2010 ) when 9 were recorded in both years. 

The golfers who achieved their second holes in one in 2011 were Simon McKenzie and Peter Lawrence- Brown who followed their 2009 success with their recent aces and Eddie Casper notched his first in 2010 and then repeated it this year. 

The club recognise these achievements by displaying a small plaque with their name on and the hole it was aced on in the clubhouse lounge so this year the clubs handy man will have more than the usual space to place them. It would be interesting to know if any other clubs could match or even better this number in any year.

Allan Woodhead started the ball rolling with his on the 16th and then in order of success:

Eddie Casper - 14th (19.3.11)
Peter Lawrence Brown - 16th (26.3.11)
John Devine - 16th (5.4.11)
Steve Beeby - 16th (12.6.11)
Len Campy - 14th (23.7.11)
Chris Rothery - 5th (30.7.11)
Charlotte Hirst - 5th (31.7.11)
Neil Hughes - 5th ( 1.8.11)
Andy Green - 16th (4.9.11 ) ( A visitor playing in the invitation day)
Dave Knapton - 16th (14.9.11)
Steve Morgan - 14th (1.10.11)
Simon McKenzie - 14th (8.10.11)

Friday, 23 December 2011

Anne has a good day in the ladies take your pick competition

The Outlane Ladies Take Your Pick 9 Hole Competition which is played at the end of the year in the ladies section was a stunning win for Anne Day with a 4 point margin from the Runner-Up Sandra Eastwood.

The Ladies Section run what they call a Take Your Pick Christmas present competition and the format is that each competitor brings a present and the winner has first choice of the prizes on view and then in turn of finishing order for the remaining prizes.

With players not knowing who has donated which prize (only their own) there was a funny incident when the last player in the competition realised she was taking her own present back as every one in the competition goes home with a prize and it was the only one left!!!!

The winning score of 20 points by Anne was helped by a 4 pointer on the 6th hole when she had a gross par 3 which became a nett 2 and helped her winning total to snatch the lead off Sandra Eastwood whose 16 points was 1 better than Barbara Daniel and Susan Littlewood who had identical scores.

Take Your Pick Result
Anne Day = 20 points
Sandra Eastwood = 16 points
Barbara Daniel = 15 points (on count back)
Susan Littlewood = 15 points

Sunday, 18 December 2011

Golfer of the year update

Over 50 votes have already been cast in our 'just for fun' golfer of the year.

Last week we highlighted the achievements of three local golfers and asked you to cast your vote to determine who our readers think is 2012 golfer of the year.

So far Chris Hanson has taken the lead with 42% of the votes followed by Jamie Bower (33%) and Andrew Whitworth (25%). The poll is open until the end of the year and you can vote to the right.

Woodsome Hall Golf Club Christmas Hamper Winner

Woodsome Hall Captain, James Haigh, is pictured with the Woodsome Hall Christmas Hamper winner, Mr Greg Robertson.

Proceeds from the raffle were donated to the Help the Hero’s fund which is the Captains charity.

As for the Hamper there is much more in the freezer/fridge at Woodsome.

The draw took place on Saturday 17th December.

Monday, 12 December 2011

Unusual & worthy facts from our union of golf clubs

Bob Hazelden, a regular contributor to the Huddersfield Golf Blog and member at Outlane Golf Club, has listed some unusual facts and figures about golf clubs in the HHDUGC.

Hazelden said, "I have not contacted the clubs for these facts but got them from my own range of knowledge, it may be that some clubs can elaborate on the given information and explain in more detail. I have only mentioned small sections of facts but hope readers will find it interesting and some clubs might even add upgraded versions of their history."

1. Huddersfield and Woodsome Hall Golf Clubs have both had an EARL OF DARTMOUTH as their president.The former club had an Earl of Dartmouth as their first President in 1891 whilst the latter still has a generation of Earl of Dartmouth's as theirs. Both of these clubs have heaps of history in the golfing environment.

2. Halifax Bradley Hall Golf Club has a 16th century listed building for its clubhouse and there are not many clubs or any that could match that. Lord Mexborough opened the new club facilities in 1924 after the club acquired the land and building.

3. Crosland Heath was originally going to be a 9 hole golf course at Cowlersley in 1896 but it assumed its present title in 1914 on its possession of the land where it is now. The proposed clubhouse could not be had for some time and the nearby Sands House Hotel was used as a temporary occupation for the early golfing members.

4. Saddleworth golf Club had a surprising large number of 71 lady members in 1913 and with not a lot of cars in those days the ladies had to travel to away matches by bus carrying their clubs on their back. One story I heard from one of the older lady members recalled the fact that in the 'olden days' that because of the lack of lockers for them they had to take their handbags with them on the course as well as their clubs.

5. West End Golf Club has the address of The Race Course , Paddock Lane which suggests it used to be a Race Course and when it gave up the racing in 1884 the land was used as a Knur and Spell sport which was known as Poor Mans golf and this possibly inspired people for a golf course.

6. Outlane golf club was originally Lindley Golf Club as a 9 hole lay-out around Petty Royd (below Scapegoat Hill) but then increased its number of holes which meant it becoming Outlane and eventually a new club house was built in 1971 on the site of an old roman camp hence the clubs emblem of a roman helmet on the clubs sweaters.

7. Todmorden Golf Club has a clubhouse that was built in 1764 which is 400 feet above the town and an interesting club badge has a county White Rose and Red Rose on it which suggests that the course is in both Yorkshire and Lancashire. The course actually encompasses a Celtic burial ground.

8. Hebden Bridge (7th & 8th holes) and Hanging Heaton (7th & 8th holes) are clubs which have consecutive par 3 holes which is unusual for the set out of holes and the formers 8th hole is 1000 feet above sea level whilst the latter's course is known as Pumps Fields or Tewit land which is a bird hence the bird on the club logo. Ryburn (9th &10th holes) and Longley Park (9th &10th holes ) are another two clubs who have consecutive par 3 holes and the former was founded in 1910 at Norland which is on the hill side above Sowerby Bridge and the latter club was formed a year after in 1911 within walking distance of Huddersfield town centre.

9. Castlefields also has consecutive par 3s but it is a course where every hole is a par 3 and some members share their golf with other clubs.

10. Crow Nest Park is heaped in history with it first being referred to in 1592 and then having Sir Titus Salt as a tenant who died in 1876. Local farmer Richard Harrison founder and owner of the land was instrumental in establishing the golf club in 1995 which has trees of over 400 years old

11. Dewsbury District Golf Club is actually in Mirfield and is built on land which is known as The Pinnacle and it is the oldest club in our union when old Tom Morris designed it in 1891 and later Ted Ray made it into an 18 hole course and finally Peter Allis and Dave Thomas re designed the final layout.

12. Halifax Golf Club was created in the early 20th century and is situated in Ogden on well manicured moorland which is home to deer, foxes, badgers and many species of birds who have chosen this land as their home.

13. Elland Golf Club started out as a 6 hole course and once it got established as a 9 hole course an unusual rule came into force banning Sunday Golf . In 1937 the ban got lifted on Sunday playing but golfers had to go to a prayer meeting before 1.30pm if they wanted to play . However there is no record of players attending these meetings.

14. Willow Valley Golf Club has 3 courses with the named one a huge 7021 yards long and the par 72 understandably has a 74 standard scratch score such is the difficulty. 8 tons of bulbs and 50.000 trees and shrubs have been planted to enhance the appearance of the courses.

15. Meltham Golf Club was one of the founder members of the H.H D.U.G.C. Rabbits association in 1953 and one member of the founding body Chris Naylor is still an active Meltham member despite never being a Rabbit himself. Thick Hollins Hall became the clubhouse after a local land owner sold the property.

16. Marsden golf club was a gift from the generosity of John Edward Crowther (A Colne Valley Mill Owner) in 1920 to the village inhabitants of Marsden and the clubs professional in the early days was Alec Bickerdike who was employed as steward and green keeper with his golf duties.

17. Lightcliffe Golf Club originally had a North- South setting course but it was changed to the present East-West layout in 1948. Maurice Hellewell designed the course whilst being held prisoner by the Japanese

18. Queensbury Golf Club was founded in 1923 by the Foster family who owned the famous Black Dyke mills and world famous brass band.

19. Bradley Park came from an idea of a member of Kirklees council in 1973 and was opened in 1977 to cater for all levels of golfers and it is now established as one of the busiest golf course in the area.

Elland Golf Club Junior Section – Prize Presentation

The Junior Section of Elland Golf Club had their efforts and achievements acknowledged at a presentation of medals and trophies on Friday 9th December.

The Juniors were coached by club professional, Nick Krzywiki, in three sections this year.

Younger Group
Presented with a trophy each;
Amelia Wood
Ella Turner
Scarlet Tooby
Sam Laycock
Sam Dyson
Marcus Pickersgill
Ben Miller
Abbie Richardson

The Intermediates
Presented with a trophy each;
Bethany Sykes
Max Robinson
Angus Wood

Juniors
Supa Nova: Bethany Farren
Junior Salver: Liam Neimantas
Millenium Trophy: Liam Neimantas
Presidents Trophy: Rowan Wright
Putting Trophy: Rowan Wright

The Ladies lounge was filled to capacity with those showing support for the future of the club, including the Juniors themselves, their families and the dignitaries; Mr President, Mr Captain, Madame Lady Captain, Junior Captain, our club professional, Nick Krzywiki and of course Junior Organisers, Bill Mace and Christine Sunderland.

Photograph shows Captain, Barry Littlewood presenting Bethany Farren with her Supa Nova Trophy.

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Local golfer of the year?

The 2011 golf season has virtually drawn to a close and to mark the end of the year we have decided to run a poll to find out who Huddersfield Golf visitors think has been our local golfer of the year!

It's just for fun and is really more to highlight the remarkable achievements by three of our golfers but please do let us know who you think is 'golfer of the year' by voting on the poll to the right.

Whilst dozens of golfers have had fantastic years at club, union and regional level we have selected what we think are the leading three candidates

International recognition came the way of 18-year-old Jamie Bower this year. It is a deserved acknowledgement for what has been a couple of magnificent seasons for the  Meltham youngster. 

He was called up to the England Under 18 Boys squad at the start of the year and never looked back making the main A squad later in the summer.

The season started promisingly for Bower with a sixth placed finish in the McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath in April. The following month the Yorkshire Boys captain also fired the lowest gross score in the HHDUGC Junior Team Championship over his home course. 

In June another strong performance in the Sir Henry Cooper Masters at Nizels was just the sign of things to come. Later that month Bower represented England at the Rudersal Junior Open in Denmark and scored a top-ten finish. The following month he landed the coveted English Schools National Championship at Belton Park and even had time to help lead his club to victory in the HHDUGC Team Championship at Halifax.

During the season he struck up an excellent partnership with Ellands' Nick Marsh, who was also recognised by England, and they formed a rock for Yorkshire in both the first team and boys side.

Perhaps the highlight of the year came in August when he went one better than in 2010 and created history in winning the North of England Youths title in both the under 23 and under 18 sections, the first time that has ever happened. He also performed admirable in the Lee Westwood Trophy, an Amateur World Ranking event at Rotherham Golf Club, finishing twelfth.

Just when he thought it couldn't get any better he captured the Faldo Series UK Championship at Hollinwell but was unable to compete in the World finals in Ireland because he was representing England in Canada. All in all a wonderful season for the teenager.

If Bower has been the leading light amongst amateur golfers it's fair to say that Woodsome Hall's Chris Hanson has been top dog in the professional ranks.

2011 has been an outstanding year for the 26-year-old, the best he has enjoyed as a professional golfer. And whilst he didn't quite put the icing on an already very sweet cake at Q-School last week it's a year that has brought him one step closer to realising his ambition of playing on the main European Tour.

Mixing his golf between the EuroPro Tour circuit and regional events Hanson has been in the winners circle more times than you can count on both hands.

He kicked his season off in March with a victory on the Northern Pro Tour at Hart Common before adding to his trophy cabinet in April with an impressive win at Bridlington Links in the Yorkshire PGA Links championship.

Numerous top ten finishes were interspersed by Pro-Am victories at Dewsbury and Bovey Castle. The triumph at Bovey would kick start one of the hottest streaks of the year. Rounds of 68, 69 and a stunning closing 63 landed Hanson his first EuroPro title of the season. And he didn't have to wait long for the second because a fortnight  later he was celebrating a play-off win at Galgorm Castle following rounds of 66, 71 and 65. What makes it even more remarkable is that a fourth placed finish at Longhirst Hall was sandwiched in between those victories.

Hanson would go on to finish fifth, sixth and third in his next three EuroPro competitions at The Players Club, Formby Hall and Lingfield Park respectively. A mark of just how consistent his golf had become was that his scoring average was 68.6 during those winless events.

More Pro-Am wins were chalked up at West End and Mottram Hall, where once again he would back it up with a victory in the main event, a wire-to-wire triumph and his third of the season on the EuroPro Tour, matching Graeme Clark's achievement of 2007. Two more wins at Howley Hall and Oulton Hall were also added to the list of accomplishments along with a top-ten finish in the EuroPro Tour Championship Final in Murcia.

Three victories on the EuroPro Tour, regarded as the third tier of professional golf, led to Hanson winning the order of merit title with a total of just under £40,000 and over £8,000 more than his closest challenger. It also secured him a card on the Challenge Tour which he will hope proves to be a stepping stone to the big time and the main European Tour.

There's no disputing that Bower and Hanson have had sensational seasons each tasting victory on a number of occasions and backing them up with other high finishes. But our third choice could arguably claim to have achieved the greatest fete when it comes to local golf. 


Halifax Bradley Hall's Whitworth is regarded as one of, if not the best, amateur golfer to play his golf in the local union certainly over the past three decades.

Having represented Yorkshire on several occasions he no longer plays at the top county level but his win in the union's flagship event this year proves he is still the best in the area, especially when it comes to knockout golf.

His 4&3 win over Huddersfield's Brad Tupman came 28 years after his first win, highlighting just how dominant he has been in the event over the years.

Vote for who you think is golfer of the year in the poll to the right. We'll close the poll at midnight on 31st December.