Smith Takes the Title from a Royal

Six-handicapper Jamie Smith from Halifax Golf Club lifted the Alan Dodsworth Junior Open title edging out Royal Birkdale Junior Lucinda Burdett (10 hcp) by three shots.

With Jamie being the first player out on a blustery Ogden morning his 69 stood firm all day. Royal Birkdale Junior Burdett was the only girl playing in the annual open and was paired with lowest Gross winner Adam Cryer (3 hcp) from Hebden Bridge who narrowly edged out two handicapper, Ross Earnshaw, from Fulford Golf Club by a better back nine after both scored 77's. Third place in Division One went to home Junior captain Nick Bennett's (11 hcp) with a 74.

Division Two was tightly contested and in third place was home player Liam Dean (18 hcp shooting 74 nett, followed by another home player in 2nd place, Connah Judson (22 hcp), with a 73. The winner was 10-year-old Huddersfield Golf Club junior, Nathan Sampson (28 hcp), after playing last year in where he struggled to reach the fairways a years worth of grow has seen him progress and a great score of 72 took the title.

The prize presentation took place straight after the main event and alongside the Mini Junior Open played on Saturday afternoon for some of the younger Ogden Juniors who have just started to play. Home member Jez Davison organised a 9 hole competition from the Ladies Tees which was contested by seven players.

The nearest the pin was won by Greg Hudson on the 7th hole and the longest drive went to Sam Hall on the 8th hole. The main 9 hole stableford competition saw Liam Davison take the runner-up spot with 24pts and the winner with 25pts was Conner Ryan.

Vice Captain David Peel who made the presentation gave thanks to main sponsor Dana Rayner and other sponsors; Neville Pollard, Lee Shaw, David Lightfoot, John Pickles, John Sutcliffe and Andrew Berry. Thanks also went to the Greenkeepers staff, caterers Tony and June, Club Professional Dave Delaney, Steve Smith, Jez Davison and Darren Davison.

The Junior Open was a great warm up for Halifax before the Duel at Fixby against Willow Valley in the HHDUGC junior league final. Three of the Willow Valley Juniors played in the open at Ogden and they were all impressed with the ogden course and set up. The final Starts at 2.30pm and any support will be great boost for the juniors.