Yorkshire Matchplay Returns for 2011

The Yorkshire Matchplay Golf Championship is back and in 2011 it promises to be bigger and better!

The event for amateur golfers in Yorkshire launched last year and was an overwhelming success. It attracted over 300 golfers from nearly one hundred different courses during its first year and received much acclaim from club members across the county. Indeed the tournament exceeded expectations and has now proved to be a launch pad for a much larger competition throughout the North of England next year.

Replicating the Yorkshire event across five other counties the new Northern Matchplay Golf Championship will bring the winners of Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire and Northumberland together for a spectacular two-day grand final at The Alwoodley Golf Club. Finalists will compete at the famous Leeds course in late-September over 72 holes to determine the overall champions of the North.

In 2011 the Yorkshire section will operate on a similar basis to last time. It will once again comprise of an Individual and Betterball Pairs competition split into four regions (North, East, South & West). The first round will be played over 36 holes on a ‘home & away’ basis to ensure that each Individual or Pair gets play a golf course other than their home club. A random draw for home advantage will be made in subsequent rounds.

The venue for the Yorkshire final in 2011 will be the superb Pannal Golf Club, an Open Qualifying course near Harrogate. The winners of each of the four regions will go there on Wednesday 14th September with both the Individual and Pairs champions on the day progressing to the two-day climax at Alwoodley later in the month.

The tournament’s founder Edward Battye said, “The response and feedback from the inaugural competition made it an easy decision to expand the event across more counties. I’m really delighted to have secured six top-class courses as regional final venues including the beautiful Pannal Golf Club for the Yorkshire final.”

Huddersfield-based Battye (pictured left) added, “Whoever wins on the day at Pannal can expect one of the best golfing experiences they are ever likely to have at Alwoodley.”

Entry-fees have remained the same as 2010 at just £15 per person for the Singles competition and £25 per pair for the Betterball event. Golfers can enter online now at www.yorkshirematchplay.com