Rainbow Gaining Momentum

The Huddersfield Golf Blog can report that the 'Rainbow Course' idea, recently introduced by Todmorden Golf Club (see report), is quickly gaining momentum within the higher echelons of golfing circles.

The Chief Executive of the Golf Club Managers Association (GCMA), Keith Lloyd, has just written about the Rainbow idea in his January report. Lloyd says, "This trial system being introduced by Todmorden may be the key to attracting more activity and indeed members to golf clubs in the mid to long term future, and in my view is to be applauded."

Lloyd has also asked any member clubs to contact him if they are planning to go ahead with Rainbow tees at their course. The GCMA represents about 2,500 of the UK Golf Clubs and his full article 'From the Chief Executive's desk' can be seen here.

Let us have your views on the Rainbow Concept - post a comment below.

Alliance Heads to Meltham

The Huddersfield, Halifax & District Golf Alliance heads to Meltham Golf Club next Tuesday for a brand new event introduced by the Executive at the start of the season.

The event is a Texas Scramble made up of three amateurs and one professional. There are 21 teams entered so far with the furthest coming all the way from Liverpool! The Merseyside team will cross the Pennines after an association made at the National Alliance last October.

Organiser James Washington told the Huddersfield Blog, "We are really pleased that the event has been supported so well. We are obviously hoping for good weather especially with recent inspections finding Meltham in excellent condition. As normal the Executive will inspect the course regularly to ensure everything is OK."

At £80.00 per team of four it seems that the event is viewed as excellent value for money with coffee and a bacon sandwich included before the event and Meltham's excellent carvery awaiting the competitors afterwards.

The competition is kindly sponsored by the Beckside Bed Company, the prize table extends to fourth place and there will be nearest-the-pin prizes for the amateurs on all of the par three holes.

There is still room for a couple more teams should anyone be interested and they should contact Barry Isles on 01484 329328 or 07951 254870 remembering that one member of the team should be a professional.

Full Start Sheet

Willow Valley Sunday Driver

Willow Valley have just launched their exciting 'Sunday Driver' offer for golfers interested in playing and staying at the Clifton based club.

For £69 each (based on 2 sharing) you get to play 18 holes on the Willow Valley Championship Course, 18 holes on the Pine Valley course, a driving range token plus Sunday night dinner, bed and breakfast at the Holiday Inn at Clifton Village. The offer also includes use of the locker facilities and changing rooms at Willow Valley and leisure facilities at the Holiday Inn, including pool and gym.

Contact Willow Valley on 01274 878624 for further details and to book.

Bradley Park Offers

Bradley Park have just announced some special offers at their golf club:

Beat the crunch membership:
Just £99 membership per year with no joining fee and includes all home internal competition entry fees. You then only pay as you play - £19 per round at weekends and £17 mid-week, less if you want to play just 10 holes.

Weekend play, weekday prices!
On Saturdays a four ball that was normally £76 is now £64.

Wonderful weekdays!
A four ball and 2 buggies for £80 any weekday before 4 pm (can be pre-booked)

Loyalty Bonus!
Play 11 rounds get 12th round FREE.

Visiting party deal:
With a minimum of 12 players, the organiser gets a free round with buggy. Parties are now welcome on Saturdays (maximum 16 players) but must be pre-booked.

Interested golfers should contact the club secretary on 01484 359031. A pdf document with further information is also available here.

Willow Valley Youngsters Finish Third in Spain

Willow Valley Golf's youngsters battled bravely in tough conditions representing England, but despite a sterling effort they had to settle for third place behind winners Ireland in the Home Nations Junior Championship at La Manga.

However, the Yorkshire teenagers were not to leave Spain empty handed, with Tom Brancker and Tom Pinder, who both finished the tournament unbeaten, scooping the Golf Foundation Award and Sir Steve Redgrave Trophy respectively for their excellent individual performances.

Brancker, Pinder, Tom Calvert, captain Lewis Howell, George Branch and Ally Butters had qualified to represent their country in the event last year after the Brighouse-based club became the first side from Yorkshire to win the English Inter-Club Golf Championship.

Willow Valley Golf's success in October thrilled the local community and the team, who were kitted out for the major event in Spain by the club as well as local clothing companies Stromberg and Glenbrae, had an enthusiastic contingent of supporters cheering them on at the prestigious La Manga course.

Starting the handicap tournament as underdogs, Calvert (1pt) and Pinder (1) defied the blustery conditions on the opening day against Ireland to win their matches to help England halve the curtain-raiser with the eventual champions.

England went into the second day against Wales knowing only victory would do to keep their title hopes alive after their opponents had beaten Scotland in their opener. However, despite fine rounds by Butters (1) and Brancker (1), the Welsh took the match 3.5 - 2.5.

The poor conditions returned with a vengeance on the final day against Scotland, but the cold and gales failed to dampen the spirit of the Willow Valley lads and victories for Branch (1), the unbeaten Butters (1), Brancker (1) and Pinder (1) earned a deserved 4.5 - 1.5 consolation win and helped England pip the Scots for third place behind Ireland and Wales.

Willow Valley Golf's junior organiser Chris Nuttall said: "It was an amazing week and fantastic achievements by Tom Brancker and Tom Pinder to win awards. All the boys represented their club and country superbly and their conduct was second to none. Everyone at Willow Valley Golf is proud of them."

The club, which is situated near Huddersfield, boasts three fine courses in Willow Valley, Pine Valley and Fountain Ridge - built to exacting U.S.G.A standards - and its dedicated team of P.G.A. professionals can cater for all ages and standards.

Playing facilities include a 24 bay all weather driving range, a three-hole floodlit Academy Course and practice putting areas. After a challenging day on the fairways, the club's improved spacious changing area, bar and restaurant can help round off the perfect golfing day. The club also stages corporate events and society days.

Further information, individual scoring and full results can be found on the official Junior Team Golf website.

Above Photo: England (Willow Valley Golf) squad in Spain: L-R - Allan Cranston, Tom Pinder, Tom Brancker, Lewis Howell, Chris Nuttall, Ally Butters, Tom Calvert and George Branch.

Pot of Gold at Todmorden

A new 'Rainbow Course' at Todmorden Golf Club has been getting in the news recently - both at national and local level.

In the February edition of Golf Monthly, Bill Elliott - also a golf writer for the Sunday Observer - filled most of his column inches praising Todmorden and their initiative in creating a course designed specifically for Mixed Golf. Wishing the concept all the best and fully expecting others to follow he said, "I have every expectation that a small but significant revolution is now taking place."

Normally at the majority of golf courses men and ladies play from different tees - ladies from the red and gentlemen from either the yellow or white - however the 'rainbow' concept devised by Roger Wornell brings both genders together allowing both sexes to play the same competition from the same teeing ground.

Wornell, a member at Todmorden Golf Club told the Huddersfield Blog that the system is already proving to be a huge hit. "The course was launched in November and we've already had three successful Rainbow Mixed Golf Competitions. The ladies can now play two competitions - their usual Ladies par 68, and now also their new Rainbow par 72."

The story was originally picked up by the Todmorden News on Thursday 15th January and subsequently by the Halifax Evening Courier the following Wednesday where they cited the club as a 'pioneer' in the development of the mixed game.

Wornell told the Courier, "Lots of ladies are playing the Rainbow series and we are probably the only club in the area where ladies can play two different courses - their own and the Rainbow. It has been devised by the seniors and ladies combined and it is proving its popularity,".

The tees chosen as the 'rainbow tees' are a 50-50 combination of existing gents and ladies tees with special markers being used to distinguish the course. A standard scratch score has even been allocated for each sex which will be adjusted if necessary.

Roger fully expects that the 'hybrid-course' idea will catch on as there is very little outlay for golf clubs to adopt the approach and will bring golfers of both genders together encouraging a more sociable environment.

Alliance Off

Regrettably the Huddersfield, Halifax Alliance fixture at Ryburn had to be cancelled today.

An Alliance spokesperson told the Huddersfield Golf Blog, "Given the amount of snow that fell yesterday afternoon and evening the course became unplayable."

An Executive meeting is being held today where it will be decided what will happen with
the event which was originally scheduled for last September but also had to be cancelled then due to inclement weather conditions.

Alliance at Ryburn in Doubt

Competitors down to play in tomorrow's Ryburn Alliance fixture are advised to check with Barry Isles in the morning on 01484 329328 or 07951 254870 to see if the event will still go ahead.

The course has been inspected twice today, once at 9am when the course was fit and then again at 2.30pm when the course was still fit to play but with the weather that has just come in and depending on how long it continues will determine whether the competition goes ahead or not.

Alliance organiser James Washington advised, "Every effort is being made to try and get the event played but should it be cancelled the Executive will endeavour to contact as many people as they can to let them know. We are hoping that the current weather passes over quickly and gives enough time for the course to recover especially as Tuesdays forecast isn't meant to be too bad."

A final inspection will take place at 7.30am in the morning to determine whether the event will be played or not.

Start Sheet

Outlane January Stableford Result

The Outlane Golf Club January Stableford result (played on Saturday January 3rd) is listed below.

1st Division:
1st Steve Beeby = 40 points
2nd Paul Savage = 39 points (Back 6)
3rd Andy Fearnley = 39 points

2nd Division:
1st Jim Sykes = 44 points
2nd Steve Markham = 43 points
3rd Eddy McKinley = 42 points

Twos Club: S.West (5th), M.Jackson, PL.Brown (8th), D.Berry, J.Morris (12a), C.Turner, R.Smith , A.Henderson (16th).

Golfer of the Year 2008

A belated Happy New Year to all the Huddersfield Golf Blog readers and best wishes for the coming year both on and off the golf course.

Last year was a fantastic year for many of our local golfers at club, union, county, national and international level. As promised we can now finally give some more details about the Golfer and Team of the Year poll that is going to be run to determine who you all think deserves to be voted number one!

In essence it is an opportunity for all our readers to nominate and then vote for the person and team who they think were the best performers during 2008. It will work in two parts:

Send us your nominations
Firstly we would like your nominations of who you think should be considered, maybe it is the person at your club who dominated the honours board or dramatically reduced their handicap. It might be one of your club teams who won their league or other competition. Just email in before the 31st January to info@huddersfieldgolf.co.uk the name of the person or team and a couple of sentences to say why you think they should be considered.

Vote
Secondly, based on your nominations we will then draw up a shortlist of candidates and open up the voting via an online poll.

Happy New Year for Alliance

The Huddersfield, Halifax & District Golf Alliance are delighted with the turnout for the forthcoming meeting at Ryburn Golf Club.

The Ronnie Parkinson Memorial Trophy takes place next Tuesday - the original fixture was postponed due to bad weather last September - and the number of entries has doubled since then!!

Alliance organiser James Washington told the Huddersfield Blog, "We are absolutely delighted with the response, the number of entries has double to 70 with excellent support from the professionals, there are 11 down to play at Ryburn."

Amongst those playing in the paid ranks is current order of merit leader, David Astin. The Hebden Bridge man teams up with Andy Cryer, a combination which has proved successful already this season.

Host professional Chris Thewlis will be looking to close the gap on Astin when local knowledge could prove to be crucial over the tricky nine-hole layout. Thewlis currently lies in fourth position and will partner C. Iredale, a 12 handicapper, from the Norland club.

Chris Hanson from Crosland Heath also plays as do Bradley park duo Tom Wild and Robert Stansfield. Dewsbury's Nigel Hirst and Dave Chapman from Outlane are other notable faces who will fancy their chances at Ryburn where there is a premium on accuracy. The elite XI are made up of Lightcliffe's Ron Tickle, Darren Arber (West End), John Ambler (Longley Park) and Marsden's Jim Crompton.

Amongst the amateur field Mike Dempsey and Paul Newey renew their partnership which has seen them capture the last two competitions.

Discussing future events Washington commented, "Its really nice that the Alliance has picked up from where we left off last year at Outlane and with already a near full field for the Texas Scramble at Meltham in February I think its fair to say that the Alliance is back and here to stay!"

View the full start sheet for the Ronnie Parkinson Memorial at Ryburn Golf Club.

Golf Psychology Workshop

Local golfers have the opportunity to learn more about the mental game of golf later this month down at the Huddersfield Golf Indoor Centre.

On Sunday 25th January a workshop will be led by one of the UK’s leading lecturer’s on the fascinating subject. Golf Psychologist Drew Wallace (BSc MSc Cert Ed) will hold a 2-hour seminar covering topics such as; taking control of your mind on the golf course, remembering how to enjoy golf plus preparation and practice that brings results.

Local Pro, Chris Hanson, who is running the Indoor Centre has worked with Wallace for over four years and told the Huddersfield Blog; "I have had a poster up on the wall for a couple of weeks and there has already been a lot of interest shown from individuals and local teams. There are limited places so please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested. This is a highly effective session not to be missed, your mental approach to golf will be changed forever!!"

Proceeding kick-off at 12.30pm with the cost £15 for adults and £10 for juniors. Hanson can be contacted on 07739004443 or chanson2522004@hotmail.com

Golf Partners Scheme

A new initiative being led by Dewsbury District Golf Club is likely to prove popular with golfers in the area. The promotion involves local golf clubs giving their members the opportunity to play each others courses at a 'with members green fee'.

So far Halifax, Lightcliffe, West End, Crow Nest Park and The Pinnacle club are offering this service to each others members. However, several other clubs in the region are monitoring the success of the scheme with a view to joining.

The rules are;
1. Times MUST be booked in advance and the cost of the fee should be acquired at the time of booking.
2. No more than 8 players may book a time at another club.
3. Evidence of current membership will be requested, i.e. signed handicap certificate or letter of introduction from the secretary/manager.

West End Golf Club Helps Golfers Fight the Credit Crunch

In order to minimize the cost of golf in 2009 West End Golf Club has announced some excellent offers which aim to attract new players to the Halifax based course.

Details of the offers are listed below:

1. No Joining Fee for any membership category.

2. A new 'Five Day Senior Membership' for both Men and Ladies at cost of just £565 per annum.

3. A new couple’s membership of only £1,000 per couple for the first year.

4. A ‘Taster Package’ which includes; 3 x 1 hour lessons with the Professional plus 3 x 9-holes of golf escorted by the Pro. If the person then joins the club within two months they will be entitled to a £50 reduction on their subscription (excludes Juniors). The cost is £100 and would make an ideal gift.

5. A ‘Beginners Package’; Any 3 consecutive months membership (6 days excluding Saturday). Includes 1 free lesson and discussion on golf rules with a Professional. The cost is £180 and again would make an ideal gift for anybody looking to get into the game.

For details of the above or any other membership enquiries golfers should contact the General Manager on 01422 341878 (Ext #1) any morning Monday to Friday.

Green fee offers and golf packages in the Calderdale Area are also available by contacting Mr Rishworth (Professional) on the same number but extension #2.

Alternatively visit the official West End Golf Club website.

Alliance Back Soon

After the traditional festive break the Halifax, Huddersfield & District Alliance will resume their 2008-9 season on Tuesday 20th January with the rearranged Ronnie Parkinson Memorial Trophy at Ryburn Golf Club.

After a successful revival in 2008 the Alliance looks set to go from strength to strength in the new year with some exciting fixtures scheduled along with some changes to events that will not only attract more visitors but enhance their experience at the competitions.

Competitors should note that the Ronnie Parkinson event is still only £10.00 per person to enter which includes soup & sandwiches and jacket and tie is not required afterwards, although smart casual is.

More information about the Ryburn event, which will be played off fairway mats, can be found on the HHDGA Website. The starting times will be listed here in due course whilst previous scores from the 08/09 season can also be viewed as well as the up-to-date Pro's order of merit.

Alliance organiser James Washington, a member at Ryburn, is hoping for a bumper turnout after the last few tournaments in 2008 attracted strong fields along with some very positive comments about the direction in which the Alliance is currently heading. He commented, "The feedback that we receive from both amateurs and professionals at the events is always taken on board and wherever possible acted upon to improve the events."

Washington is also very keen to get feedback from confirmed and potential competitors at the Ryburn event about the scenario of playing off the mats, a policy employed by many clubs to improve the condition of the fairways for the summer season. Any thoughts can be left in the comments section below and will be gratefully received by the Alliance Executive.

Father and Son Battle for Honours

It was a case of so near for Outlane junior Alex Birchenall over the Christmas period.

The promising youngster first partnered Paul Smallman to second place in the Pros 4-Ball Strokeplay competition on the 20th December with a score of 59, then teamed up with Paul Reynolds for another runners-up spot a week later when they scored 47 points in the Stableford event. What made matters worse was that it was his father Keith who came good, with Andy Green, to register 49 points to pip his son in the Stableford event!

The second division competitions were both won by Gary Moulson and Nigel Bawn with a 57 nett and 49 points. Another junior Matthew Clark partnered John Drake to second place in the second competition.

Pros 4 Ball Strokeplay - Saturday 20.12.08
First Division:
N.Crowther / M.Atkinson = 57 nett
P.Smallman / A.Birchenall = 59 nett
K.Birchenall / A.Green = 60 nett

Second Division:
G.Moulson / N.Bawn = 57 nett
T.Gorman / P.Ford = 59 nett
P.Anderson / K.Skippings = 61 nett


Pros 4 Ball Stableford - Saturday 27.12.08
First Division:
K.Birchenall / A.Green = 49 points
A.Birchenall / P.Reynolds = 47 points
M.Dickenson / B.Pearce = 46 points

Second Division:
G.Moulson / N.Bawn = 49 points
J.Drake / M.Clark = 47 points
D.Thewlis / R.Hardy = 46 points