Phenomenal response brings new sponsor for Matchplay event

A 5-Star luxury holiday with unlimited golf  is now on offer for the 2011 Northern Matchplay golf champions.

El Rompido Resort, Spain

An overwhelming response to the launch of the inaugural Northern Matchplay Golf Championship means that entrants will now be competing for a fabulous golfing trip to Spain, thanks to Huddersfield-based holiday company Golf de la Luz.

The new knockout event, which brings together amateur club golfers from across the North of England, is initially split into six counties – Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland and Yorkshire – with the winners of each region progressing to a two-day, 72-hole grand final at The Alwoodley Golf Club.

And now the winning individual and pair at Alwoodley will each walk away with a fabulous five-night stay at the luxury 5-star El Rompido Golf Resort in Andalusia, Spain. There they will enjoy unlimited golf on two courses that are widely regarded as amongst the best in the region.

Organiser of the tournament and member at Dewsbury District Golf Club, Edward Battye, said, “I’ve been truly taken aback following the launch of the event, with entries flooding in on a daily basis. There’s already the possibility that we may have to limit numbers in a couple of the counties. The championship has also generated a lot of media interest and a number of companies have contacted me wanting to get involved.”

He added, “To have Golf de la Luz come on board as the main sponsor is fantastic news, especially for all the entrants. To find a local company that is so enthusiastic about the competition and willing to provide such a fantastic prize makes it a perfect fit for all concerned. Not only does it raise the profile of the event but it will also add that extra competitive edge.”

Golf de la Luz

Golf de la Luz specialise in golf holidays and breaks to the Costa de la Luz in Spain and the Eastern Algarve of Portugal, both of which are fast emerging as great alternatives to the more traditional golf holiday destinations.

Dan Thomson, a director of Golf de la Luz, enthused, “We’re delighted to be backing this exciting new golf tournament. The El Rompido resort is a wonderful venue with top class golf courses and off-course facilities. I have holidayed there personally and can vouch that whoever wins will have a wonderful time.”

Entry-fees for the event are £15 per person for the singles competition and £25 per pair for the Betterball event. Golfers can find out more & enter online at www.northernmatchplay.com

*Places are filling quickly in The Fixby Challenge, a new individual strokeplay event at Huddersfield Golf Club on Friday 17th June. The leading nett score automatically qualifies for the grand final of the Northern Matchplay Golf Championship. 

Duo in the frame again

The last time John Lawton and Brian Moroney teamed up they won the Pros 4 ball with a 61 nett and it was the same again as window frame maker Brian Moroney joined carpenter John Lawton to carve out another 61 nett and take the prize in the first division category.

Kevin Pendlebury and Gary Atkin came in with a late 62 nett to take second place and Paul and Mark Walker had a better back 9 count back to take the honours of third place.

The second division category was another that went to count back and Simon Senior with Paul Kaye had an amazing 27 shots which Robert Armitage and Steve Morgan couldn't match despite sharing the 61 nett score.

Kevin Sykes and Stuart Crank took third place with a 62 nett to claim the Pros remaining vouchers which David Chapman (Professional) puts up for the prizes

PROS 4 Ball

First Division :

John Lawton & Brian Moroney = 61 nett

Kevin Pendlebury & Gary Atkin = 62 nett

Paul Walker & Mark Walker = 63 nett (Better back 9)

Second Division

Simon Senior & Paul Kaye = 61 nett (Better back 9)

Robert Armitage & Steve Morgan = 61 nett

Kevin Sykes & Stuart Crank = 62 nett

Tatlock is new Union President

Phil Tatlock

Outlane member Phil Tatlock has been appointed 2012 President of the H.H.D.U.G.C.

Phil was Captain of Outlane in 2003 and has served on the Union Executive Committee for 6 years and will take over from Richard Kaye (President 2011) who comes into office on March 15th.

He is only the second Outlane member to hold this prestigious office and follows Allan Woodhead who was President in 2007.

No winter blues at Crow Nest Park

Despite the recent terrible winter weather Crow Nest Park Golf Club are opening their arms to new members.

Autumn at Crow Nest Park

At the present time the Hove Edge Golf Club has record levels of membership and the 7 day membership is currently close to being full. The current membership levels is bucking the national trend of falling memberships and is against a backdrop of recession.

Given the high membership levels the Golf Club have just announced a reduced 1st year annual subscription rate of £330 for a midweek 5 day membership which is now available to 1st time members only. In addition if the new members joins & pays in January or February, then they can play for 15 months for the same fee. The current price of a 5 day membership is £440.

Club Manager, Les Holmes said " I believe that this offer is really attractive and will generate a great deal of interest, so much so, that we have had to limit it to the first 30 applicants. It`s just a shame that the recent bad weather has restricted the numbers of potential new members visiting the course however the course does still look stunning no matter what the weather brings"

Early New Years Eve Whiskey Drink for the Outlane EGGS

Past President of the Halifax and Huddersfield Union of Golf Clubs, Allan Woodhead, had a great finish to the 2010 golfing season when he holed his tee shot in the Outlane E.G.G.S (Elderly Gentlemen Golf Society) regular Friday lunchtime session.

The shot of the day with his 3-wood came on a par 4 hole (10th) which had been shortened to a par 3 hole because of the conditions and he and his partners didn't see it go in but on reaching the green a short search discovered the ball in the hole.

The group of Outlane E.G.G.S have a regular Monday, Wednesday and Friday get together to play between themselves and they had a very early New Years Eve whisky drink awaiting them when they came back to the clubhouse with Allan's bottle of whisky on the bar to cheer his success.With some clubs not having their course open on New Years eve this Hole In One could have been the last one of the 2010 golfing year!!!

Photo shows Allan Woodhead with whisky, golf ball and 3-wood.

Highest club update

Following our article last month about the various facts of each golf club another regular contributor to the blog has written in regarding the piece that said Halifax Golf Club were trying to find out if they are the second highest golf club in England.

Trevor Williams says, "I noticed that Halifax G.C. think they may be the second highest in England. Some time ago I did some checking and the list below comparing local courses to the highest may be of interest." He added, "There may be another higher than Ogden but I have not found it!"

m    ft       Club                      Point

388 1273 Kington

352 1155 Ogden                   12 G

344 1129 Mt Skip                 8 T

336 1102 Buxton

319 1047 West End              5T

312 1024 Marsden               7 G

290 951 Outlane                  15 T

269 883 Crosland Heath      14 T