The 'Lord Mexborough Cup' a men's 36 hole open competition was held at Bradley Hall on Saturday 6th August with a full field of golfers from Berkshire in the south to Skipton in the north and including many of the local union regulars.
The previous days weather forecast of heavy rain throughout the day was thankfully inaccurate and enabled the event to be concluded on time. However, in mid morning, with heavy skies and rumbles of thunder in the distance, a bolt of lightning struck the course in two places, much to the concern of several golfers none less so than a past captain of the Bradley Hall, Les Lawson, who was around 30 yards from the point of contact with the 6th fairway. Thankfully no injuries were inflicted and all continued with their games without further problem.
In the first group of the day, from Huddersfield Golf Club, Andy Shaw (1) and Richard Broadley (0) both returned gross scores of 68, to lay down the target to be beaten but it was not long before another Huddersfield golfer, Aaron Schnacke (1) bettered it by a single stroke.
As the round progressed, several players put themselves in contention including Keith Knight from Keighley and home players, Craig Gaukroger and 'veteran' Stuart Naylor, all with nett 67's and Paul Firth, Gary Shuttleworth along with James Fairhurst and Mark Stephenson both of Huddersfield, with nett 68.
However, starting late in the morning, home member, Chris Mather (4), returned a better back nine 66 to close as the first round leader.
Again, in the afternoon, Andy Shaw and Richard Broadley continued to lay down a 'marker' with the former repeating his morning score in a round which included 8 birdies for an identical nett 67 and the latter a gross 71. Aaron Schnacke then closed with another gross 71.
As in such competitions for nett and gross prizes, several scenarios then developed with players who were not in contention in the first round began to emerge for the minor prizes, none more so than senior Bradley Hall member, David Maguire who had shot a gross 99 in the morning and reduced that by a massive 22 in the afternoon for a nett 67.
As the day approached its conclusion and with Andy Shaw leading the field for the title he has held on previous occasions, all eyes were on Chris Mather who by the 13th hole was very much in the hunt and showing no sign of nerves but with the challenging four closing holes to be played.
It was a measure of his skill and composure that he walked off the last green with a one under par score of 69 (nett 65) to claim the 'Lord Mexborough Cup' for the first time by 3 shots from a very sporting and comlimentary, Andy Shaw.
As it was a 'nett' competition, the latter took the runner up prize and that resulted in Aaron Schnacke taking the best gross prize.
The best nett for the first round was taken by Keith Knight and the second round, David Maguire.
The best gross in the morning by Richard Broadley and the afternoon by 'Mr Reliable', Andy Whitworth with a gross 70.
Finally, Chris Rudd (Ryburn) holed out in 1 on the par 3 fourth green.
A very successful event which received many complements from members and visitors alike in particular with the condition of the course prepared by head greenkeeper, Alan Court and his staff.
Leading Scores (Nett)
1. C.Mather 131
2. A.C.Shaw (Hudds) 134
3. A.Schnacke (Hudds) 136
4. K.Knight (Keighley) 137
5. C.McFadzean 138
6. S.J.Wilkinson 139
7. R.Broadley (Hudds) 139
8. G.Parker 140
9. N.Dare 141
10.S.Rome 141
(Gross)
A.C.Shaw (Hudds)
A.Schnacke (Hudds)
A.Schnacke (Hudds)
R.Broadley (Hudds)
A.R.Whitworth 142
C.McFadzean 144
P.A.Taylor 148
J.L.Fairhurst (Hudds) 148
A.M.Appleyard 149
I.Marsland (West End) 149
M.Cockcroft 149
