Schnacke & Cryer are Matchplay Winners

The finals of both the Scratch and Junior Halifax, Huddersfield and District Union of Golf Clubs Matchplay competitions took place at Meltham Golf Club yesterday.

Aaron Schnacke (pictured below with HHDUGC President Phil Walton) became the third player from Huddersfield Golf Club to win the Union's premier event since the turn of the millennium when he defeated Meltham's Jamie Bower 2&1 in the 36-hole final.

Schnacke follows in the footsteps of Richard Oddy, winner in 2000, and current club-mate Richard Broadley who triumphed in 2004, 2007 and 2008. It is also 12 years on since 1996 English Open Amateur Stroke Play champion Peter Fenton claimed the title when he took over from another former Huddersfield member, Dean Stokes.

All square at lunch the tie was always set for a close finish, despite Bower holding home advantage, and the contest eventually ended on the 35th hole with Schnacke holding an unassailable advantage. The competition, in memory of John R Crawshaw is sponsored by B M Howarth Halifax.

In the Junior event, sponsored by Cartridge World of Halifax, Hebden Bridge's Adam Cryer (pictured below) fought back from three-down at the halfway stage to win by the same 2&1 margin over Junior Order of Merit winner, Ben Adamson from Crow Nest Park.