Yorkshire Matchplay Entries Close Wednesday 7th April

A late flurry of interest has meant that the closing date for the Yorkshire Matchplay Golf Championship, a new regional knockout competition for amateur golfers, has been extended by a week.

The deadline for entries, in both the Individual and Pairs competition, is now Wednesday 7th April but with Easter Weekend approaching, and a limited postal service, that doesn't leave much time for those interested in entering the event to register their interest.

The draw for the first round, played over two legs on a 'home and away' basis, will be made on Monday 12th April with the draw expected to be live on the official tournament website by 5pm on the Wednesday.

Huddersfield based Edward Battye, the man behind the company that is running the event explained, "The intention was to get all the entries in before the Easter Weekend but we've now been able to extend that until next Wednesday without delaying the draw for the first round."

Battye added, "I've had several emails and a few phone calls in the last 48 hours from people saying that their entry-form is on the way and to make sure they go into the hat for the first round draw. Hopefully the extra seven days will put their minds at rest and ensure that their forms will be received in time, but also allow any latecomers to join what looks set to be a great event."

The new tournament has seen huge interest since details were announced at the beginning of the year with golfers from almost 100 clubs across the county expected to battle it out to make the grand final at The Alwoodley Golf Club in September.

Updated Start Times for Bradley Hall Alliance

The start-sheet has been updated for tomorrow's Winter Alliance at Bradley Hall Golf Club.

Crow Nest Drive In

Crow Nest Park Golf Club said hello to the five incoming Captains for 2010 and a fond farewell to two Past Captains.

On Saturday 27th March 2010 the incoming Captains for the season 2010/2011 drove into office. All of the captains made a fine job of hitting off the 1st tee which is the tradition for incoming captains. The Club Captain for the year is Glyn Owen and he was presented with a signed montage of his golfing hero Bernhard Langer prior to his drive in.

After the Captains had driven into office the members of which there had been over 100 present played a 9 hole 4-man team texas scramble and the new captain presented the prizes to the winners after being handed his Captains Jacket from outgoing Captain Martin Broadbent.

The outgoing Captain had earlier officiated over the opening of a new water feature and bridge on the 7th hole. This new feature had been created as a mark of remembrance for Past Rabbit Captain Trevor Mitchell who died on the course last year.

Over 100 members and friends attended this opening and it also provided a means of reflection on the loss of Steve Burke past Club Captain who also died last year after a long illness. The "ribbon" on the bridge was cut by Zach Gallagher the grandson of Trevor Mitchell.

The photos show from left to right; Aidan Ozanne - Junior Captain, Glyn Owen - Club Captain, Amanda Mowl - Ladies Captain, Alan Littlefair - Seniors Captain and John Cryer - Rabbit Captain. Plus also the new bridge feature.

New Season Off at Bradley Hall

After almost six months of winter golf, the first individual competition of 2010 was held at Bradley Hall Golf Club on Saturday 27th March when the new season was opened with the 'Spring Stableford'.

The warm weather of recent days was lacking but fortunately so was the rain but with a strong cold westerly wind blowing down the course, scoring was not easy and was reflected in the standard scratch score being raised by two shots.

With two thirds of the field coming from Division 1 (up to 15 handicap) it was a close battle between a handful of players with the early starter, Mike Riley (10), posting a score of 39 points which proved unbeatable. He was however closely pursued by Mick Shea (8), with 38 points and new member Richard Pursell (12), Andy Whitworth (+1), David Middleton (13) and Dan Dennett (6) all with 37 points.

In Division 2 the runaway winner with 41 points was Barry Fallon (19) with John Baldwin (19) is senod place with 39 points.

Leading scores:-

Division 1:
M.Riley 39 points
M.Shea 38
R.Pursell 37
A.R.Whitworth 37
D.Middleton 37
D.J.T.Dennett 37

Division 2:
B.Fallon 41
J.M.Baldwin 39
A.J.Beddis 36
E.Shrimpton (20) 35
M.Eady (22) 34
R.Goldstein (16) 34
J.M. Callaghan (28) 34

Outlane Back on Track as Juniors Show Promise

Outlane Golf Club got their medals back on track by playing the cancelled January and February events on consecutive Saturdays.

Played as Stableford competitions this enabled them to catch up with their programme for the coming season.

The February competition was the first ever tournament for 13-year-old Joey Blackwell who has just got his CONGU handicap. He certainly looks to be one for the future because he came in with a magnificent 38 points! Another 13-year-old junior, Scott Gledhill, came in with 30 points.

The April medal at Outlane will see the new 7th and 8th greens being used for the first time since their alteration.

January Stableford:
1st Division:
Jim pryce = 41 points (better back 9)
Patrick O'Flyn = 41 points
Eddie Casper = 40 points

2nd Division:
Gary Gough = 43 points (better back 9)
Simon Senior = 43 points
Marc Webb = 42 points

February Stableford:
1st Division:
Dave Knapton = 43 points (better back 9)
Andrew Schofield = 43 points
Andy Shaw = 43 points

2nd Division:
Keith Skippin = 44 points
Dennis Pearcey = 43 points
Gordon Drysdale = 42 points

Bradley Hall Starting Times

The start times for the next HHDGA fixture at Halifax Bradley Hall Golf Club are now available.

The event takes place on Tuesday 30th March and a strong field has assembled. See the start times.

Phil raises £1,500 for YAA

A magnificent £1,416.39 was raised for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance,(YAA) during Phil Smith's reign as Captain of Dewsbury District Golf Club.

The Captain thanked members and visitors alike for their generosity during his year of office and was delighted to present a cheque on behalf of the Dewsbury District Golf Club to Kerry Garner, a community fundraiser for the YAA in West Yorkshire.

Kerry also offered thanks on behalf of the YAA whilst explaining the importance of such initiatives in ensuring the YAA remains airborne.

The money was raised by holding two golf competitions and having collection boxes and bottles in the clubhouse throughout the year.

The picture shows the Smith handing over the cheque to Garner.

Masters Sunday Special at Willow Valley

On US Masters Sunday the 11th April you can play the Willow Valley Course for only £20 per player or *£70 per 4Ball (Normal 4Ball Price £152).

It is a "SHOT GUN START" @ 8.00am and players should call 01274 878624 to book and quote - "Masters"

(*4 ball price only available at time of 1st booking)

Billy Casper Cup

Meltham Golf Club is celebrating the 40th anniversary year of the visit to the Club of the three times Major winner and at the time reigning US Masters Champion Billy Casper.

Casper played an exhibition match at the Thick Hollins Club on 27th September 1970 setting a new professional course record.

On the Saturday of this year’s US Masters (10th April) Meltham GC is launching a new major competition for their members, The Billy Casper Cup.

To mark the occasion the Captain of Meltham, David Thorpe, will unveil a commemorative plaque with a life-size bust of Billy Casper who has been made Lifetime Honorary President of Meltham Golf Club. A permanent display of memorabilia of the 1970 visit and Casper’s US Masters win will also be unveiled.

To mark the 40th anniversary year an anniversary Dinner will be held at Meltham where the Billy Casper Cup will be presented to the winner of the day. Throughout the 40th Anniversary year all members and visitors to the club beating a net -1 par score will receive a commemorative “I beat Billy Casper (off my handicap)” memento.

The man who initially brought about Casper’s visit was Wilf Charlton who at the time owned a Newsagents in Milnsbridge, Wilf recalls: “a friendly customer , Dennis Livesey, popped into the shop each day for a paper, over time I got to know that he was the head of the Mormon Church at Birchencliffe, and had said that Billy Casper’s Manager Ed Barner was to spend some time helping to build the new church. I cheekily asked him if he could persuade Billy Casper to play in the Huddersfield district. “

On September the 26th 1970 Billy Casper found himself sat next to Wilf on a eight seat aircraft winging its way from the Dalmahoy Wills tournament in Edinburgh Scotland to Yeadon Airport, arriving at Meltham in time for Casper to present the Major trophy prizes at a social event, receiving a standing ovation on his entrance to the club house. Meltham members recall Billy as being an amenable man who signed countless autographs and chatted to everyone.

The following day Mr Casper was back at Meltham for his scheduled Golf clinic and exhibition match. Playing with British Ryder Cup player Alex Caygill, and amateurs Warren Humphreys and Mike Kelly the former Yorkshire Champion. Casper managed to set a new professional course record of one under par 69. Casper was at the peak of his powers at the time, winning the US Masters in the April and voted as PGA player of the year later that year, and was expected to take the course apart. Long serving member Barrie Donkin recalls that Casper said of Meltham “this is a no fool’s course” recounting that Casper struggled to read the subtle borrows on Meltham’s greens.

Casper was reported by the local paper to say at the time “I have enjoyed my round at Meltham, It is a harder course than members give it credit for.”

Meltham members will no doubt be reminded of this when competing in the Inaugural Billy Casper Cup.

Just over a week to go before entries close!

Golfers who are intending to enter the new Yorkshire Matchplay Golf Championship have just over a week before entries close and the draw is made for the opening round.

Entry-forms can be downloaded from the official tournament website but must be received on or before 31st March.

This applies to both the Individual tournament and the Pairs competition. The draw for the first round (played over 36 holes on a home and away basis) will be made shortly after the closing date.

The event has attracted golfers from all over the county as they bid to become the champion golfer of Yorkshire. The new competition has been hailed a massive success and is expected to become a regular fixture on the golfing calendar for competitive players across the White Rose county.

The championship is open to anyone with an official handicap of 28 or less who is a male member of a golf club in the Yorkshire Union and over the age of 16. Golfers will initially compete on a regional basis with the final four progressing to the grand final at Alwoodley Golf Club to battle it out for top honours.

The Individual Matchplay competition has an entry-fee of just £15 whilst the Pairs Betterball Matchplay event costs £25 per pair.

Mixed Alliance Event Cancelled

Next week's Winter Alliance event scheduled for Outlane Golf Club has been cancelled.

The Mixed Team competition (2 men & 2 ladies) did not receive enough support for the competition to go ahead. The next fixture is now at Halifax Bradley Hall on Tuesday 30th March and is the usual Gents Betterball format at £40 per pair (including a 2-course meal).

Alliance Order of Merit's

Updates tables in the HHDGA are now available following last weeks meeting at Crosland Heath Golf Club.

Rob Booth extended his lead in the Professional's Order of Merit whilst his 46 point tally also helped extend Bradley Hall's lead in the Champion Club Trophy.

The next Alliance meeting is at Outlane on Tuesday 16th March. The event is a Mixed Team Open with two men and two ladies per team costing £80 per team (including a meal). An entry-form is available here.

Race to Alwoodley Gathering Pace

New Yorkshire Matchplay Competition Proving Huge Hit!

With still a month to go before the closing date for the Yorkshire Matchplay Golf Championship Tournament Director, Edward Battye, is already hailing the new event a massive success.

The competition is open to amateur golfers in Yorkshire and allows players to compete in a matchplay format against regional opponents before the winner’s progress to a Grand Final at The Alwoodley Golf Club in Leeds. There is an Individual event and Pairs competition both played on a knockout basis.

2010 is the launch year and the new tournament has been well received by golfers across the county, especially those who do not qualify for the Yorkshire Union of Golf Club’s County Championship – a 36 hole strokeplay competition limited to 165 players with a maximum handicap of six where the top 32 progress to a matchplay stage.

Battye, a two-handicap golfer from Dewsbury District Golf Club, explained, “The comments and feedback since details of the competition were revealed late last year has been amazing. So many people have said that golfers in the county have been crying out for an event like this and are delighted there is now something in place.” He added, “The Yorkshire Union do a fantastic job of promoting the game in the region, especially scratch golf, and I’ve played in their County Championship many times but there has never really been a county-wide event for golfers of all standards... until now!”

Battye (right) concluded, “Golf is such a great game because players of all abilities can compete on a level playing field due to the handicapping system. The appeal of being the best in the county has got a lot of people fired up and it promises to not only be a successful championship but one that is keenly contested.”

One of the reasons for the event being so quick out of the blocks is the effort from golf clubs throughout the region. Praising the clubs Battye said, “Golf Clubs have done a great job in promoting the event to their members, without their help we may well not have had a tournament. I’ve seen several posters up at clubs and they’ve done a brilliant job at informing their members about the event.”

The closing date is the 31st March with the opening round played over 36 holes on a home and away basis. Subsequent matches are contested over 18 holes where a draw will take place for home advantage. The winners of each region; North, East, South & West, will take their place in the climax of the championship at Alwoodley when the semi-final and final will be played on the same day.

More information and entry-forms can be found on the official championship website - www.yorkshirematchplay.com

Winter Alliance at Crosland Heath G.C. on Tuesday 2nd March.

The Order of Merit leaders in the HHDGA Winter Alliance maintained their good form with Rob Booth and Andy Hare (4 hcp) of Bradley Hall winning the Pro-Am section with 46 points from Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall) and Richard Hanson (5 hcp) , (Crosland Heath) with 44 points.

The Am-Am section was won by Neil Paxman (9) and Tony Brier (12) of Meltham with 45 points on a back 9 count back from Mike Dempsey (9) and Paul Newey (15), independents from Fixby with Jimmy Caine (3) and Ed Battye (2) of Dewsbury placed third on 44.

Nine Pro-Am and 49 Am-Am pairs competed in the event, the start being delayed by 40 minutes and the first four holes played to the winter greens because of frost and a light covering of hail.

The higher placed pairings took advantage of the shortened first holes, being typically 4 under par after 4, although none of the leaders managed to birdie the tricky winter 2nd hole. Bradley Park assistant Tom Wild managed a tap-in eagle on the par 4 4th which was playing 270 yards on the day. An Eagle was also achieved by N. Russell of Hebden Bridge, playing off 12, when he holed a 5 iron on the 11th.

Booth & Hare had no dropped shots and picked up points on 10 holes. Hanson & Hanson dropped one shot on the stroke 18 par 3 14th. Paxman & Brier also managed to drop a shot on the 14th whilst Caine & Battye spoiled their round by not scoring on the shortened 4th.

The course is recovering well from the severe winter as the good scoring testifies. The day started cold and murky, becoming warmer and sunny for most of the day, but finishing very cold, making the excellent meat and potato pie meal more than welcome.

Leading Scores.

Is Crow Nest Park one of the best 9 hole golf courses in the world?

Crow Nest Park Golf Club has been listed by the prestigious Golf World magazine as one of the top 9 hole golf courses in the world.

The March edition of Golf World features a golf club in Suffolk which has been described as "The Best 9 hole golf course in the world" along side this article, is a list of 10 other 9 hole courses throughout the world, which the magazine has identified as being top quality courses.

Crow Nest Park Golf Club, in Hove Edge, Brighouse has been listed along side other notable courses such as Musselburgh Old, Scotland (one of the original courses of the British open Championship), Tobermory, Isle of Mull and Dunes Club, Michigan, USA (which beat 4800 other courses when it secured top spot by Sports Illustrated Magazine as the best 9 hole course in America). To be ranked in the same league as these other distinguished courses is seen as a tremendous achievement by both the Management & members of Crow Nest.

The course at Crow Nest Park was opened in 1995. The course sits within the grounds of an old manor house which was once owned by local philanthopist Sir Titus Salt. The course enjoys the benefit of many fine old trees which gives the landscape a much more mature feel, than one would normally expect from such a young course. The vision behind the building of a golf course on this land was that of founder and owner, Richard Harrison, who had owned the land for many years prior to the course being constructed.

The course itself whilst being a 9 hole course. does benefit from having 2 tees on each hole. On many of the holes this dual tees system makes the type of shot change significantly from the front 9 to the back 9. The challenge and beauty of this course should not be underestimated. The membership, which currently stands at 280, claim that this course is a stern test of any golfers ability. To play and score well, a golfer must be on top of their game as the course, whilst rewarding a good straight shot will punish any that stray off line. The beauty of the course, however, is a reward in itself and a golfer even if they are not playing to their best, can enjoy their visit.

This latest accolade follows the allocation of "Best Yorkshire Golf Course 2007" by the Yorkshire Express and the "Top Ten 9 Hole Course in UK 2009" by National Club Golfer & Lady Golfer Magazine.

General Manager, Les Holmes said, "This is a tremendous accolade for our club and has been achieved after many years of dedicated work by all of the Management and Staff at Crow Nest. We have always been proud of the standard and quality of our course and I now encourage any local golfers to come down and sample what is now regarded as a truly unique 9 hole golf course which is the envy of many."