AT GOLF CLUBS IN THE NORTH EAST AND YORKSHIRE - ISSUE 75

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NORTHERN GOLFER 03

The height of summer has brought us (intermittent) good weather along with a busy magazine filled with great performances by our region’s golfers.

The success of our region’s girls is this season’s good news story which just keeps on giving.

This month’s pages are filled with regional prizes, national success and international caps for girls based at clubs all across the region - from 10-year-old Amy Burton to international debuts for 14-year-olds Libby Bell and Rachel Gourley. Rosie Belsham and Jess Baker hit the headlines again this month, while we have results from Yorkshire’s win at County Match Week at Seaton Carew Golf Club.

While the game looks in great shape at the top level, the development of the next generation of female golfers also looks to be in very good hands thanks to Girls Golf Rocks. I’ve spent this month learning about the programme and have found it inspiring to speak to some of the people involved as coaches and ambassadors. To have a national programme on this scale is fantastic and I have no doubt many of the next crop of England internationals and national success stories will be getting their first taste of the game thanks to the programme.

The boys have also been on top form this month - starting with Matty Lamb. Matty has put together a tremendous run of form so far this season, highlighted by his close call at the St Andrews Links Trophy. It’s great to see Matty back at the top of the national stage, and back in England colours for the upcoming European teams championships.

Elsewhere, our region’s professionals have been in fine form with a number of winners around the region, including a superb win for David Clark in the recent Northumberland & Durham Open.

As you read this, our region’s best players will have completed their rounds in Final Qualifying for the Open Championship - good luck to all those competing for a place at Portrush.

I was lucky enough to enjoy A Round With... Douglas Montgomerie this month too, while Alan has paid a visit to Beamish Park.

There’s so much more to look forward to this summer - including the North of England Youths Championship and Champion of Champions events, both of which we build up to this month - let’s hope the sunshine hangs around a lot longer...

Dean Bailey, editoreditor@northerngolfer.co.uk

FRONT COVERThe inspiring success of the Girls Golf Rocks programme Pages 24-26

04-08 TEEING OFF Champions book tickets to Ramside, Amy wins Storm Series and girls’ success continues

09-17 TEEING OFF Skipp retains Durham Boys title, pros celebrate career milestones and Lamb goes close at St Andrews

18 MATCH PLAY PAIRS Round one results and round two draw

21 DEAN BAILEY Proper preparation

23 TOUR LIFE With Chris Paisley

28 A ROUND WITH... Douglas Montgomerie

32 SPECIAL FOCUS Links golf

42 TIPS Perfect pitching with John Harrison

44 PROMOTIONS Win rounds for four at City of Newcastle, Matfen Hall and Brancepeth Castle

46 BUNKER Golfing tales from our readers

Publishers: Jane Pikett & Gary Ramsay

Address: Offstone Publishing Unit 1, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield Northumberland, NE43 7AL

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36 THE NORTH OF ENGLAND YOUTHS

30 BEAMISH PARK COURSE PROFILE

04 NORTHERN GOLFER

TEEINGOFF

LADIES AND JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONSSaturday September 21Ramside HallCathedral CourseRed and yellow teesfrom 11.30am

MEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONSSaturday September 28Ramside HallCathedral CourseBlue teesfrom 8.40am

Host venue Ramside Hall Ben Squire

T he Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events will return this

September in partnership with Brewin Dolphin and hosted by Ramside Hall.

The race to this year’s events is already underway and a number of players have captured their club titles and an invite to this year’s tournaments.

The events – for men, ladies and juniors – will be played at Ramside for a third consecutive year while this year’s events will be staged in partnership with Brewin Dolphin, one of the largest British investment management and financial planning firms, for the first time.

The 2019 ladies and junior events will take place on Saturday September 21 over the Cathedral Course.

We are the champions

The men’s event will take place on Saturday September 28 with another strong field expected to compete for the trophy over the Cathedral Course.

A number of club championships have already taken place around the region – with players securing invites to the events. They include Castle Eden Golf Club’s Cameron Wallace – who led the field at his home club with two rounds of 68.

Meanwhile, the first Junior Champion of Champions, James Wilson, captured Tyneside Golf Club’s men’s title with two rounds of 67. At Northumberland Golf Club, Paul Caldicott beat Seton Wakenshaw to book his place at Ramside in September, while Ben Squire captured the Stocksfield Golf Club title.

The Northern Golfer

Champion of Champions events welcome an elite field of amateur golfers from across the North of England each year. The events – for men, women and juniors – are open to reigning club champions from clubs in Northumberland, Co Durham and Teesside, and selected clubs in the Scottish Borders, Cumbria and Yorkshire within Northern Golfer’s circulation area.

Invites will be emailed to clubs in the coming weeks with champions asked to register for their tee times online at www.northerngolfer.co.uk.

Thanks to the support of Brewin Dolphin and Ramside Hall, there is no charge for competitors at the events.

James Wilson (left)

Paul Caldicott (right)

Cameron Wallace

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Amy Burton made home advantage count as she captured the inaugural Mini-Storm Trophy Series

title at Wynyard Golf Club.Amy won the opening event of

the series at Rudding Park to take an early lead in the series. However, she went into the third and final event in a tie for top spot with Wearside Golf Club’s Millie Hixon after Millie won the second event at Consett Golf Club.

Amy returned to the top of the leaderboard at Wynyard with a score of 42, two ahead of Millie as Caylin Million finished third on 57.

The win gave Amy 200 points and took her order of merit total to 575 points, just 25 points clear of Millie with Caylin in third place on 450.

In the boys’ event at Wynyard, Eaglescliffe Golf Club’s Alexander Boyes came through to win the title. Sam McIntyre, who won at Consett, finished second as Roan Smith

finished in third place. Alexander secured 550 points over the three events to top the order of merit as Sam finished in second place with 500 points and Roan finished third.

Tournament host Graeme Storm is now considering further improvements and possible expansion for the tournaments. More than 100 youngsters took part in the Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool and the new Mini Storm

Trophy Series has proved incredibly popular in its first year. The European Tour player, who handed over a substantial cheque to the Percy Hedley Foundation following the series, is more than happy with the way things are developing. “Watch this space!” he said. “We’re pleased with the series and we’re always looking at ways to improve and expand the opportunities for juniors to play competitive golf ”.

NORTHERN GOLFER 05

Amy Burton with Graeme Storm

Amy storms to series title

Double dreamJames Wilson can’t wait to have a crack at a Champion of Champions double.

The 19-year-old has been in sparkling form, picking up the Ravensworth Bowl and winning the Tyneside club championship title. The first winner of the junior title four years ago, there’s nothing James would like more than to become the first player to win two champion of champions titles. “That’s something I’d like very much,” said James, who shot two 67s to win at Tyneside and posted a 140 total to win at Ravensworth.

James Wilson (right) with Ravensworth’s Craig Walker

TEEINGOFF

Making his MarkMark Wharton returned

to his finest form to capture his second Northumberland

County Championship at Westerhope Golf Club.

Having come through a week of tough matches to reach Saturday’s final, Mark produced some of the best golf of the week as he completed a 9&7 victory over Westerhope’s Brad Robinson in the 36-hole final.

Mark, from Newcastle United Golf Club, chipped in for eagle at the 18th hole of the match before lunch and continued to extend his advantage in the afternoon round, reaching 12 under-par by the time he returned to the 11th hole.

He said: “It’s a great feeling to have my hands on the County Championship trophy again, I didn’t know whether I’d ever be able to reach the same level as I did when I won back in 2016. It’s a great honour

to be a two-time champion, there are a lot of great names on this trophy twice. To match one of the achievements of a player like Chris Paisley is tremendous.

“The supporters have been great all week and I have to say a big thank you to my caddy John Simmons and all the people that have come out to watch us.”

Mark Wharton

06 NORTHERN GOLFER

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Will to winWill Marshall came through a tense playoff to win the 10th Keith Shivers Bowl at Heworth Golf Club.

Will overcame clubmate Jason McGuire in a five-hole playoff to claim the title, having posted a five under-par 66 in the second round to finish in a tie with Jason through 36 holes - Jason posting a round of 68 in the second round.

Will Marshall receives the Keith Shivers Bowl from Heworth captain Peter Cherry

TEEINGOFF

Tarren’s American dreamCallum Tarren had a

week to remember at Pebble Beach as he competed in his

first major championship.Having secured his Korn

Ferry Tour ( formerly Web.com Tour) card for this season after topping the PGA Tour Series China order of merit last term, Callum qualified for this year’s US Open by winning sectional qualifying at Streamsong Black, opening with a course-record 64 to take the early lead and then backing it up with a 68 to top the field at 14 under-par

He went on to post rounds of 73 and 75 at Pebble Beach, missing the cut by four shots but taking a lot of positives from the week.

He said: “Playing at Pebble Beach was a great experience. It is the iconic US Open venue and a very special place to

play my first major. I got off to a really good start on day one, birdieing the ninth to turn in level par before holing out from a fairway bunker at the 10th for eagle, which was a great moment. I’d hit it in that bunker in both my practice rounds so I knew the shot!

“I felt confident with eight holes to play, but you can’t miss fairways at the US Open, and that cost me. I had a slow start on day two and just left too much ground to make up. As a whole, I really enjoyed the experience. There were a lot of positives to take from it and I can’t wait to be back competing in another major.”

Callum was in 83rd place on the KFT order of merit – just outside the top 75 that secure their cards for next season and make it to the Tour Finals - as we went to print.

Callum Tarren

NORTHERN GOLFER 07

Silver liningLong-term Seaton Carew member William Guthrie has lifted the Senior Salver for the first at his home club.

The 63-year-old delivered a near flawless round of 70 to lead a field of more than 100 golfers from across the country.

He said: “The day went well of course, I played solidly and the conditions were kind. The highlight was making a two at the 15th with an outrageous chip in. It’s nice to win the Senior Salver at the eighth attempt.”

William Guthrie

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08 NORTHERN GOLFER

International honours

Northumberland’s Libby Bell and Rachel Gourley represented England for the first time as a

mixed U16 squad took on Spain at Woodhall Spa, while Rosie Belsham picked up another international cap as England took on teams from across Europe as part of the German Boys & Girls Open.

Gosforth Park Ladies-based Liiby and Arcot Hall-based Rachel collected their first caps as England were beaten 15-9 – though both took a lot of positives from the experience.

Libby, 14, said: “Playing for England was a really good experience and I’ve taken a lot from it. I felt comfortable while I was there and all the coaches were really supportive throughout the event.

“I’ve made a lot of new friends and I’m really looking forward to having the chance to play for England in the future.

Rachel, 14, added: “I’m really proud to have played my first match for my country. The Spanish players were

phenomenal and I learned a lot from them about where I need to improve to get to the next level.

“There’s a lot to take from the match and put into how I prepare in the future too.

“I’d love to have the chance

to represent England again in the future.”

Meanwhile, Rosie was part of the team of three which won the girls’ Nations Cup at the German Boys & Girls Open. Rosie shot rounds of 73 and 68 alongside Lily May Humphreys and Charlotte Heath as England beat Germany by one shot. In the individual event, played over three days, Rosie finished in a tie for 12th place after posting a closing round of 72 to finish on

seven under-par.Following the series of matches,

England Golf announced the teams that will represent England in the upcoming European teams championships. Rosie and Jess Baker will team up with Cumbria’s Caitlin Whitehead in the girls’ team for the event at Parador de El Saler in Spain. Meanwhile, Northumberland’s Matty Lamb has been named in the men’s team for the event at Ljunghusen in Sweden.

Rosie Belsham (right) with the winning England team

Girls’ success continuesJess Baker produced a superb week of golf at the English Women’s Amateur at Saunton Golf Club, reaching the semi-final stage.

Jess (Gosforth Park Ladies) reached the final four with wins over Isabelle Simpson (23rd hole), Caley McGinty (2up) and Billie-Jo Smith (2&1) having qualified for the matchplay stages in a tie for 12th place.

She said: “Getting to the semi-finals was a huge achievement and I’m really proud to have gotten to the last four in such a big event. It was great to get the result having focussed on playing my own game and just letting the results come, which seems to be working well this season.

“To compete in a women’s event is a really good feeling and I’ve got a lot of confidence to carry forward into the rest of the season. It’s a big step up from the girls’ events but I feel like I can really compete at this level.”

Following her record-breaking win at the Fairhaven Trophy, Rosie Belsham qualified in tie for fourth place for the matchplay stages, reaching the quarter-final stage.

Durham’s Jessica Hall and Briony Bayles also reached the last 32 of the event, which was won by Ellen Hume.

Jess Baker

Northumberland overcame Durham in a close contest at Longhirst Hall in the second round of Northern Counties League matches - winning the matches 10-8 to get their

first points of the season. Elsewhere, Yorkshire and Cumbria top the table - both teams undefeated after Yorkshire beat Lancashire at Fairhaven and Cumbria beat Cheshire at Carlisle.

Rachel Gourley (left) and Libby Bell

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10 NORTHERN GOLFER

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Will holds on to boys title

W ill Skipp’s domination of the Durham County Boys Championship

continued when he retained his title at Boldon Golf Club.

Will, from Eaglescliffe Golf Club, won the full boys title for a second year in a row with rounds of 76 and 70 at Boldon. The win follows his first full boys title in 2018. He also won the U16 title in 2017 and lifted the U14 trophy in 2016.

The current Durham boys captain, Will led the elite field of boys by five shots as Rockliffe Hall’s Harrison Hodgson posted rounds of 75 and 76. Eaglescliffe’s Will Alexander finished in third place with rounds of 77 and 75. Meanwhile, Houghton-le-Spring’s Daniel Ellison won the nett prize with rounds of 74 and 71.

In the U16 event, George Washington Golf Club’s Duran Gun took home the trophy with a round of 70, five shots clear of Houghton-

le-Spring’s Jack Laidler. Jack won the best nett in the U16 category with his score of 68.

The U14 title went to South Shields Golf Club’s Ben Willis as Darlington Golf Club’s Toby Mitford won the nett title.

Following the event, Will, Duran and Ben were named in the Durham team for the Northern Counties Boys’ County Qualifying Championship (AKA The Little Six), which will take place at Rockliffe Hall on July 3.

Will Skipp

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Angus wins Northumberland boys title

Matfen Hall’s Angus Buchanan has been crowned Northumberland County Boys Strokeplay Champion.

Angus (pictured) posted a one over-par 74 in tough conditions at Longhirst Hall to win the county title and book his place in the England Golf Champion of Champions event at Woodhall Spa later this year.

Westerhope Golf Club’s Jack McCall finished in second place, one shot behind Angus as Jamie Bone of Hexham Golf Club won the U14 title.

Duran Gun

Ben Willis

NORTHERN GOLFER 11

TEEINGOFF

Zara Naughton, Rachel Gourley and Lois Blythe teamed up to win the Team Championship

at the North of England Final for the National Schools Golf Championships, as Zara won the girls’ individual title.

Zara (Ponteland Middle School) led the field at Denton Golf Club, Manchester with rounds of 73 and 77 as Rachel (Cramlington Learning Village) finished third overall.

In the team event, Zara, Rachel and Lois (Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham) topped the leaderboard – finishing 12 shots ahead of the Durham team.

The win was Northumberland’s first in the event since 1986 and saw them finish ahead of teams from Durham, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire.

Northern champions

A total of eight golfers from Northumberland competed in the event with five boys in the team - Freddie McKenna (Kings Priory, Tynemouth), Cameron Thoburn (Ponteland High School), Junior Dobson and Angus Buchanan (Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham) and Alex Heppell (Haydon Bridge High School). Alex produced the best golf among the boys, finishing in seventh place and being selected to represent The North at the national finals as Yorkshire’s Oliver Caton lifted the boys trophy.

Zara, Rachel and Alex now advance to the National Schools Final, which will be held at Sherwood Forest Golf Club, Nottingham. Durham’s Alexandra Stevenson, Will Skipp and Duran Gun will also compete in the national finals.

Zara Naughton and Rachel Gourley

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Academy success at ArcotPGA professional Kris Bengtsson and Margaret Spence have embarked on the fourth year of the successful Ladies Academy programme at Arcot Hall.

Kris (pictured) and Margaret have supported the arrival of new female members of the club since 2016, doubling the female membership from 50 to 100 in four years.

The programme, which has 27 women involved this year, starts with a five week group class, delivered free of charge. This is followed by a further five week

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12 NORTHERN GOLFER

TEEINGOFF

Milestone momentsProfessionals Darren Pearce

and Marcus Webb have reached career milestones at their home clubs.

Darren, 54, has been Barnard Castle’s professional for 25 years while Marcus, also 54, has been in charge at Bedlingtonshire for 30 years.

Darren said: “I think there were some newer members who were quite surprised to find out I’d been here that long.” An England Boys international in his youth, Darren has captained the NENW PGA and has been a serial winner on the circuit with wins in the assistants, matchplay and strokeplay events as well as a Northumberland and Durham Open title.

Meanwhile, Marcus celebrated his 30 years at Bedlingtonshire with a special golf day, raising £1,000 for The Children Heart Unit Fund (CHUF), PGA Benevolent Fund, TGI Golf Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK.

“I have to say a big thank you to everyone that supported the day and also my club for letting me host it,” he said. “A special thank you to Ken Ferrie, Ronnie Foreman, Steve Holmes and Brian Mabon as well the clubs that supplied fourball vouchers.”

While Darren has competed throughout his career, including in three Senior Open Championships, Marcus has chosen to focus on teaching. He reckons his last

Darren Pearce with his anniversary cake and Marcus Webb (inset)

The Scoring Club’s

annual charity golf day helped raise more than £4,000 at Tyneside Golf Club. The event, now in its 10th year, supported Oliver’s Journey and Eliza’s Chair this year with teams taking part from across the region. In 10 years, the event has raised more than £39,000 for charities across the region.

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competitive tournament was a Barnard Castle pro-am.

“I was 29 and won £17,” he added. “I decided I was going to concentrate on coaching! I’d moved to Bedlingtonshire thinking I would be in the North East for a few years before returning south.” Since then, Marcus has become a PGA tutor and educational coach, as well as a Fellow of the PGA. He has also received the Golf Foundation’s Critchley Award.

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WWW.NORTHERNGOLFER.COUK Matty Lamb came within a single shot of winning one of amateur golf ’s

top prizes at the St Andrews Links Trophy.

Matty, from Hexham Golf Club, opened his week in sensational form, shooting rounds of 64 on the Jubilee Course and 63 on the Old Course to reach 17 under-par and take a six shot lead into the final 36 holes.

He followed up those scores with rounds of 69 and 73 on the Old Course on the final day, and was just pipped to the trophy by Saunton’s Jake Burnage – who posted rounds of 66 and 69 for a 20 under-par total for four rounds.

Matty said: “The week at St Andrews was a great experience. I was in really good form and played some nice golf over the first two rounds. While things didn’t go to plan in the final 36 holes, it just came down to a couple of bad breaks and failing to hole the putts like I had in rounds one and two. I’m really

St Andrews puts a spring in Lamb’s step

happy with the result, one of my best to date, and my confidence is high going into the rest of the summer.”

Matty went on to compete in The Amateur Championship at Portmarnock – reaching the last 16. He came through a number of close matches to reach round four, beating Norway’s Jarle Volden 3&2 in round one before overcoming South Africa’s Yurav Premlall 3&1 and Japan’s Kengo Aoshima 1up. He was beaten 1dn in the last 16 by Ireland’s Ronan Mullarney.

Following those events, Matty was selected as part for the England team for the European teams championships.

He added: “Getting back into the England fold is a great feeling as it’s taken a lot of really good golf to get there. I’m currently top of the England Order of Merit and the Walker Cup is in my sights. I need to keep playing well and performing every week, but if I can do that, I’ve got a good chance of making the team.”

Matty Lamb (© St Andrews Links)

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The Business and Leisure Magazine for the North East Region

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE OF PROPERTY

WITH BRICKS AND MORTAR

business property media technology education motors arts leisure

Middlesbrough Golf Club eased to a nine shot win in the Teesside Union Team Championship at Saltburn.

The team of James Swash, Michael Hay and Phil Collins finished well ahead of second placed Wynyard and Cleveland.

NORTHERN GOLFER 15

TEEINGOFF

Brunton wins Senior MastersDavid Brunton captured The Senior Masters title at Leeds Golf Centre with a superb nine under-par total.

Brunton shot rounds of 67 and 68 to win the tournament, now in its third year.

Mark Ashworth shot a course record-equalling second round of 64 en-route to second place as Craig Ronald, Michael Watson and European Senior Tour player David Shacklady – last year’s champion - finished third.

David Brunton (left) and Nigel Sweet, Leeds Golf Centre manager

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Our region’s best professionals and amateurs started their journeys to the Open

Championship at Royal Portrush with Regional Qualifying.

The first stage of qualifying took place at 13 venues, including Berwick-upon-Tweed (Goswick) in Northumberland and Alwoodley in Yorkshire.

At Goswick, Close House’s Andrew Scrimshaw made it through alongside Hexham Golf Club-based Jonathan Richardson and Thomas Rowland – all three players posting rounds of four under-par.

They’ll be joined in Final Qualifying by Wynyard-based amateur Ben Bailey and Wynyard professional James Harper – who came through a playoff with Ken Ferrie and Durham City-based Jack Trewhitt to claim the final ticket to the next stage. Jack later gained a spot in Final Qualifying having been

named as a reserve. Liberton-based amateur Kieran Cantley topped the leaderboard at Goswick with a seven under-par 65.

At Alwoodley, Rotherham-based amateur Ben Schmidt led the field with a three under-par round of 68. Rockliffe Hall-based Andrew Wilson made it through following a seven-man playoff for five spots after his round of 71.

Meanwhile, Leeds Golf Centre-based amateur Ben Firth topped the leaderboard alongside Nick Marsh at Fairhaven.

The qualifiers will now move on to Final Qualifying, which takes place at four venues – Notts Hollinwell, Prince’s, St Annes Old Links and Fairmont St Andrews – on July 2 with 12 places available at The 148th Open at Royal Portrush.

Andrew Scrimshaw

Road to Portrush

16 NORTHERN GOLFER

TEEINGOFF

Professionals from clubs across our region have taken home pro am titles following events in

Cumbria, Durham and Teesside.Five different winners took home

the winners’ cheques across five events as Mark Ridley, Michael Pilgrim, Craig Goodfellow, John Harrison and Andrew Wilson all topped the leaderboards.

Mark finished in top spot at the Penrith Pro Am with a three under-par round of 66 – one shot clear of nearest rival Jordan Woods.

In the Maryport GC Pro Am, Bishop Auckland’s Michael Pilgrim took home the top prize with a superb four under-par 66. Teesside’s Vince Guest was second while James Wilkinson (Penrith Golf and Footgolf ) finished in third place.

The players returned to the eastern half of the region for the Ramside Hall Pro Am and the Hadrian Healthcare Pro Am at Whickham Golf Club. At Ramside,

Mark Ridley

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Pros share titles across the region

Craig Goodfellow returned to the top spot with a five under-par score of 67 as Tynedale’s Martin Forster finished alone in second place. Wynyard’s James Harper and Westerhope’s George Cowan shared third place with their rounds of 69.

Meanwhile, at Whickham, John Harrison (Matfen Hall) posted a

round of 67 – two shots clear of George Cowan.

At Teesside, guest professional Andrew Wilson (Rockliffe Hall) posted a seven under-par 65 to beat the field by two shots and take home the winner’s cheque. Henry Taylor (Scarcroft) shot a five under-par 67 to finish alone in second place.

The packed schedule continues with pro ams at Alnmouth as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations as well as trips to Cockermouth, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyneside and Matfen Hall. Meanwhile, the NENW PGA Championship will take place at Morpeth Golf Club on July 29.

John Harrison Andrew Wilson

Craig Goodfellow

NORTHERN GOLFER 17

TEEINGOFF

David Clark hit top form to win the region’s oldest professional tournament.

David, head professional at Morpeth Golf Club, posted rounds of 67 and 68 at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club to lift the Northumberland & Durham Open title, leading an elite field of professionals and amateurs from around the region.

He was pushed all the way in the 36-hole tournament by Wynyard’s James Harper – who posted rounds of 65 and 71 to finish alongside amateur Andy Minnikin in second place. Andy, from City of Newcastle

Clark wins N&D title

Golf Club, posted an opening round of 63 – including 10 threes - to tie the course record at Brancepeth before a second round 73 saw him finish one shot behind David.

Meanwhile, Matfen Hall’s John Harrison finished in fourth place with a two round total of 137 as Penrith’s Tim Dykes and City of Newcastle amateur Phil Ridden finished a shot further back.

The tournament, which dates back to 1950 and was first won by Bert Gadd, has regained much of its former glory with top amateurs invited to compete alongside the professionals after the NENW PGA revived the event.

Andy Minnikin, David Clark, NENW PGA president Ray Sentance and Brancepeth captain Peter Burdess

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Stars come out for COCOGolfers from the North East business community teamed up with sports stars to raise money for children’s charity COCO at Slaley Hall.

The 16th annual Steve Cram Celebrity Golf Day raised around £15,000 for the charity - which was founded by Steve and army major Jim Panton to provide children with access to education in the developing world.

Celebrities at this year’s event included Steve Harmison, Phil Mustard, Kriss Akabusi, Richie Pitt and double Olympic champion Daley Thompson.

Seconds out... round twoMatch Play Pairs results from round one

18 NORTHERN GOLFER

Match 1Neil Morrison & Ross Muirhead (Boldon) LOST TO Kevin Hill & Michael Rowell (Arcot Hall) Score: 1st extra hole

Match 2 Craig Tetley & Alan Bendelow (Romanby) BEAT Colin Mackay & Les Gutteridge (Wallsend)Score: 4&3

Match 3 Dean Findley & Mark Dobson (Durham City) BEAT John Jamfrey & Robert Ellison (Roseberry Grange) Score: 1up

Match 4Duncan Foster & Neil Timbey(South Moor) LOST TO John Barnes & David Wailes (Arcot Hall/Bedlington) Score: 3&2

Match 5 Richard Wallhead & Peter Rudd (Rothbury/Whitley Bay) LOST TO Vaughan Raine & Shaun Elliott (Crook) Score: 4&2

Match 6 Barry Cranston & David Hornsey (Consett) BEAT Ray Pipe & Simon Crowther (Rockliffe Hall/Slaley Hall) Score: 6&5

Match 7 David Malston & Rob Coulson (Whickham) BEAT George Longthorn & John Littlejohns (Crook) Score: 1up

Match 8 Gary Atkinson & Stephen Carter (Durham City) BEAT Bob Hughes & Stewart White (Chester-le-Street) Score: 2&1

Match 9 Sean Durran & David Adam Twiss (Brancepeth Castle) BEAT Adam Bates & Dean Bates (Darlington/Blackwell Grange) Score: BYE

Match 10Peter Simpson & Barry Walker (Alnmouth/Bamburgh Castle) BEAT Michael Hughes & Stephen Turnbull (Crook) Score: 4&3

Match 11David Thompson & Terry Buckley (Billingham) BEAT Malcolm Cregan & Rob Shanks (Prudhoe/Westerhope) Score: 3&2

Match 12James Guy & James Melville (Crook) BEAT Dan Hutchinson & Andrew Dixon (Durham City) Score: 5&4

Match 13Adam Murphy & Brendan Murphy (Tynedale) VS David Robison & Harry Iveson (Whickham) Score: TBC

Match 14Stewart Breckon & Stuart Whithorn (Bishop Auckland) BEAT Will Herron & Cameron Bowman (Bedlingtonshire/Newbiggin) Score: 3&2

Match 15Ashley Coveney & Andrew Howard (Crook) BEAT Steve Weldon & Alan Saunders (Westerhope) Score: 5&3

Match 16Ray Glendinning & George Freeman (Hobson) LOST TO Steve Slater & Colin Henderson (City of Newcastle) Score: 20th hole

Match 17Ray McCarthy & Ian Phillips (South Moor) LOST TO David Cameron & Rodney Martin (Beamish) Score: 1up

Match 18Kevin Broadfoot & Paul Stocks (Close House) LOST TO Malcolm Crowson & Ian Towell (Oulton Hall/Low Laithes) Score: 1up

Match 19David Jenkinson & Edumd Thompson (Houghton le Spring/Wearside) BEAT Ian Rand & Justin Flannigan (Billingham) Score: 5&4

Match 20Ben King & Michael King (Bellingham) LOST TO Brian Crampton & Andrew Williams (Durham City) Score: 5&4

Match 21Johnny Harrison & Adam Reid (Bishop Auckland/Wynyard) BEAT James Carr & Adam Richardson (Tyneside) Score: 2&1

Match 22Nick Sibley & Geoff Cruickshank (Eaglescliffe) BEAT Paul Scott & Trever Hodge (Newbiggin/Morpeth) Score: 4&3

Match 23Paul Whittaker & Murray Newell (Tynemouth) BEAT Alan Anderson & Paul Smith (Ryton)Score: 3&1

Match 24Richard Woods & Peter Holland (Whitley Bay) BEAT James Ogden & Kevin Nixon (Tynemouth)Score: 4&3

Match 25Paul Foster & Dan Williams (Romanby) BEAT Alan Slater & Anthony McKeown (Ramside) Score: 3&1

Match 26David Pringle & David Naunton (Houghton le Spring) BEAT Martin Mayoh & Stephen Eltringham (Houghton le Spring) Score: 6&5

Match 27Mark Laverick & Jon Douglas (Stocksfield) BEAT Stephen Bell & Ian Duff (Hobson) Score: 3&2

Match 28Keith Muldoon & Phil Fitzimons (Durham City) BEAT Steve Buxton & James McCullagh (Romanby) Score: 8&7

Match 29Matthew Dowdall & Richard Mains (Cleveland) LOST TO Peter Newman & Jason Green (Brancepeth Castle)Score: BYE

Match 30Colin Arthur & Ralph Brown (Oakleaf) LOST TO Simon Watson & Russell Taylor (Longhirst)Score: 3&2

Match 31Tom Craven & James Lagan (Romanby/Rockliffe Hall) LOST TO John Buxton & Gareth Hold (Wilton) Score: 4&3

Match 32Matthew Sibley & David Wainman (Eaglescliffe) BEAT Gary Donnison & Keith McGreevy, (Gosforth)Score: 7&6

MATCHPLAYPAIRS

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RYTON BACK TO ITS BESTRyton Golf Club is looking forward to the rest of the 2019 season with the golf course back in superb condition thanks to the club’s hard work over the winterA popular club for visitors with its fi ne, easy walking parkland layout, Ryton remains a great test with the greens in superb condition once again.

A visitor friendly course, where you will always receive a very warm welcome and can enjoy a round at your leisure, the club’s recent open days for all ages and abilities have proved a huge success.

Improvements are continuing around the club, including the recent addition of solar panels, and the club is looking forward to more changes during the season.

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20 NORTHERN GOLFER

Fail to prepare…Does proper preparation really matter for club golfers?

Does arriving early, having spent a few hours at the range through the week with a quick lesson thrown in, really affect your scores in the Saturday medal?

While I’m never going to put the time into the game to reach an elite level, even high club level, a little bit of effort can go a long way. Last season, I struggled to maintain my handicap of 11 – clinging on with the odd good result while riding the rollercoaster of .1 lifts.

If I was going to get back to enjoying competitive golf, something had to change – and I knew it was going to take more effort than I’d been putting in. Some work on my swing, the first in years with someone who actually knows what they’re talking about, has been huge – as has a renewed passion for practising. It’s amazing how your desire to practise grows when you have something to work on properly.

The second thing I’ve been doing this year, and one I really notice if I miss it out, is hitting balls before I play. While I’m not going through a 45 minute session before the Saturday medal at my home club, hitting a few balls and getting a feel for chipping and putting makes a huge difference standing on the first tee or looking at a chip over a bunker at the first. If you do nothing else, I’d add

this into your weekend golf routine as it definitely makes a huge difference compared to rushing to the tee juggling a bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee.

A couple of range sessions a week, along with regular putting and chipping work, is yielding results. Last year after 10 competitions, I’d been below or in the buffer zone once and had nine .1 lifts. This year, with a bit of effort through most weeks, not all of them, and taking the time to hit balls before the first shot of the day, I’ve been below the buffer zone three times, in the buffer three times and over the buffer four times - and two of those were by a single shot. A huge change on last year!

It’s amazing how much a little bit of knowledge and a bit of practising can improve the results for a very average club golfer. Working with a professional is also a huge bonus and I can honestly say I’m enjoying my time on the course and the practice ground more than I have in the last few years – even when things aren’t going exactly to plan.

Some people reading this won’t have the time to commit to a proper structure of lessons and practising, but you can fit good practice into a small timeframe if you need to. You’ll enjoy your golf more for it, and your scores are sure to improve too – it’s well worth the effort.

Dean Bailey

NORTHERN GOLFER 21NORTHERN GOLFER 21

COLUMNIST

Since my last article I have played two events on the European Tour - The Belgian Knockout and the BMW International.

In Belgium, I carded consecutive 65s to be number one seed going into the matchplay. I continued my good form into the nine-hole matchplay rounds by beating Sam Horsfield in the first round, but was knocked out by Gregory Havret in round two. It was a shame that it was a matchplay event in the end, because I had the lowest score of anyone after 54 holes. I loved the course, which reminded me a lot of the tight, tree-lined courses you get in the North East of England, and I just felt really comfortable. I have no doubt that I would have had a really good chance to win

had it been a 72 hole strokeplay event. The disappointment didn’t last for long because I really do just enjoy playing well, irrespective of the result. I feel like my game and mind are in a great place so I am really positive about the rest of the season.

Following a two week break, I missed the cut in Munich, but again I wasn’t too disappointed. One thing you learn out here is that you can have a week where you are just a fraction off, you get the odd bad break, and before you know it you’re heading home on Friday! It was one of those missed cuts where you don’t really have a particular reason for missing the cut; I suppose the whole game wasn’t firing on all cylinders. I had a nice weekend at home in Hexham and worked on tightening a few things up.

As I write, we are playing at Valderrama, which is one of my favourite courses in the world. Preparation has gone smoothly and I feel as though I have tightened up my long game and putting since Munich. What I love about Valderrama is that it will let you know exactly how sharp your game is. Anything less than an 8/10 shot at any time and you are struggling to make a par. It’s the ultimate test of your game and mind. It’s always entertaining watching people lose their minds as the round progresses. There are some spots where you can be on the fairway and be stuck behind a tree. Some of the guys don’t handle that too well so I just sit back and enjoy the head off!

Real Club Valderrama

Game, set, matchChris Paisley checks in from Valderrama and brings us up to speed

following The Belgian Knockout and BMW International

NORTHERN GOLFER 23NORTHERN GOLFER 23

TOURLIFE

Chris Paisley

24 NORTHERN GOLFER

Ready to rockGirls Golf Rocks is back across the UK with thousands of girls getting the chance to

try golf for the first time thanks to England Golf and The Golf Foundation

GIRLSGOLFROCKS

Sally Hinton-Lewis and girls from the Girls Golf Rocks programme at Close House

NORTHERN GOLFER 25

GIRLSGOLFROCKS

In the wake of the lionesses’ stellar performance in the women’s football world cup, and as England women cricketers ride the crest of a winning

wave, girl power is also very much to the fore on the golf course.

In fact, thanks to our women footballers, cricketers and international golfers like Georgia Hall, Charley Hull and Bronte Law, international women’s sport has never been so high profile, and the huge success of a national programme designed to attract girls to golf promises to deliver its own boost to the women’s game.

Girls Golf Rocks is in its fifth year across the UK, attracting hundreds of girls to taster sessions and coaching at clubs across Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria and Yorkshire.

The programme, run by England Golf and The Golf Foundation, is now operating across 26 golfing counties, and here in the north, it is making its mark, as Durham county junior organiser Bobby Griffiths attests. “I’m absolutely over the moon with the programme,” says Bobby, who took on her role five years ago. “I’ve never had so many girls involved with the county system.

“When I took over as junior organiser five years

ago, we only had our elite girls. Today the county has two coaching groups that come together nine times a year. Next year, we’ll need to host another session, which is fantastic.

“That growth has been driven by the work of England Golf and The Golf Foundation, and tremendous support from our clubs in delivering the Girls Golf Rocks programme.

“So many of the girls coming to our coaching have been introduced to the game through Girls Golf Rocks, and they’ve been inspired by the programme and the work of our ambassadors at their sessions.”

As well as having more girls in the county system, Bobby sees more girls at clubs too. She says: “Having the groups of girls at so many of our clubs is great. So many of them are staying engaged with golf after their introduction because they’ve now got other girls to play with.

“It’s really important to have those groups of girls in as many clubs as possible. With those, more girls will stay in golf and hopefully progress into long-term golfers. It’s a very exciting time for girls golf in Durham – from the youngest girls right through to our girls out in America on golf scholarships.”

In 2018, when 21 counties were involved in the programme, 1,650 girls aged 5-18 took part in

26 NORTHERN GOLFER

GIRLSGOLFROCKS

free taster sessions. Of those, 1,210 went on to complete coaching sessions and 157 took up membership at a club.

This year, 1,800 girls took part in free taster sessions across the UK in May. Following the taster sessions, the girls are invited to take part in group beginners’ coaching over six weeks, and from there, many clubs offer introductory memberships and further instruction.

In Durham - which hosted its first sessions in 2016 - Castle Eden, Darlington, Houghton-le-Spring and Woodham are all taking part. Meanwhile, sessions are held at Barrow, Carus Green, Eden and Penrith in Cumbria. In Yorkshire, sessions are being held at Bedale, Cookridge Hall, Moor Allerton, The KP and other clubs across the county.

Meanwhile, in Northumberland, Bedlingtonshire, Matfen Hall, Morpeth, Ponteland, Tynemouth and Close House are taking part. PGA professionals Sally Hinton-Lewis and Will Robson are hosting more than 30 girls at Close House at the moment. Sally says: “It’s been really inspiring to see some of the girls from our first year taking part in my county academy coaching this year, the same system all the England internationals from Northumberland have progressed through. We’ve also got girls who’ve gone on to join clubs locally, which makes me really proud as we’ve inspired them to do that through Girls Golf Rocks.

“The elite level of golf in Northumberland is in a really good place right now and it’s fantastic to have the national support of England Golf

and The Golf Foundation to inspire the next generation.

“We’ve also been lucky to have such great ambassadors in Rebecca Hall, Maggie Sandison, Rachel Gourley and Maggie Whitehead. Hopefully the girls will go on to follow in the elite girls’ footsteps. If they don’t, they’ll go on to play golf in clubs and from there they will inspire the next generation of girls to try the sport.”

Lauren Spray, England Golf women and girls’ manager, says: “Girls’ golf is an area with huge potential for growth. Our partnership with the Golf Foundation started with a pilot programme in Essex in 2014 specifically for girls and this year we’ve reached more than 1,800 girls with taster sessions.

“Our research shows that we need to provide girls with an environment where they’re with other girls. Some girls are prepared to compete alongside the boys from an early age, but so many aren’t and they miss out on the opportunity because there aren’t the same numbers of girls in our sport currently. This programme is all about enjoying the game and building friendships through golf, and creating opportunities for girls to play golf.”

The phased roll-out of the programme, which will grow further in 2020, has allowed England Golf and The Golf Foundation to ensure clubs are prepared to support the girls following the programme.

Lauren added: “From what we’ve seen so

Left - Girls Golf Rocks ambassador Cassidy Hamilton with some of the girls at Darlington Golf Club

Right - Girls in action at Close House with Sally Hinton-Lewis

far, there is a real appetite from our coaches and clubs to grow the programme and make it an even bigger success. The passion from so many of the clubs, not just the coaches but the volunteers and the people around the clubs, is really inspiring. It’s great to see clubs driving this programme collectively – making sure things are in place for the girls and their parents to enjoy the sessions and feel part of the club.

“I’ve been the only girl in a golf club before and it’s very exciting to see thousands of girls trying golf. There are more hubs of girls coming through each year and it will continue to grow as we go forward.

“The aim of Girls Golf Rocks is to introduce girls to the game and make it as much fun as possible. Of course, some of the girls taking part will go on to competing and that is going to be one of the many benefits of having more girls playing golf.

“We’ll be really proud when we get girls on the national stage that have picked up a club through Girls Golf Rocks, but we’ll be equally proud to see more girls playing golf in every form having taken part in the programme.” Sessions continue across the region in the coming weeks, with further sessions available at each of the clubs taking part. If you’ve missed the start of this year’s programme, contact a host club or visit www.englandgolf.org/girls-golf-rocks

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Douglas Montgomerie has had a front row seat to one of European golf ’s greatest careers, and he has far too many fascinating stories to fit into a

single round.He has been by the side of his younger

brother Colin throughout his career, from watching him represent Yorkshire as an amateur to knowing what was going through his mind during the most tense moments of 10 Ryder Cups.

Based in Gosforth, Newcastle with his wife Eve and sons Alastair, 21, and Fergus, 18, Douglas joined Brewin Dolphin as a consultant in 2018 having built his career in banking after moving to the North East in 1994.

A member of Northumberland Golf Club, we caught up with him to learn more about his own golf, share some of his favourite memories, and more…

1 How much golf do you play?I play competitively every Saturday afternoon with friends at Northumberland and my current handicap is seven. Socially, I’ve being playing a lot more since joining Brewin Dolphin, meeting clients and getting to know people all across the region.

2 How did you get into golf?I had no choice! My father is a very keen golfer and Colin and I had clubs in our hands from a very early age. My grandparents retired to Troon so we spent a lot of time there growing up playing golf as a family too. At home in Yorkshire, where we moved when I was seven, I played a bit but never to the level that Colin did as I was off playing all the team sports. My father went on to serve as secretary at Royal Troon and is the club’s president today, so I still visit Troon regularly and play there.

3 Which is your favourite course in the North East?I’m a big fan of Northumberland and I really enjoy the course. Away from home, the coastal courses – Alnmouth, Dunstanburgh, Bamburgh - are all tremendous locations.

4 And further afield?Troon is very special because of our family connections there. Turnberry is a spectacular golf course too, particularly following the recent design changes.

5 What’s your best ever round?In competitive rounds, I’ve shot 75 in a medal at Northumberland and have posted a 73 at Ilkley, along with many higher scores.

6 Which is your favourite golfing memory?The 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills was very special. I was there with my uncle and father, and Bernhard Langer had a young European team that had a great chance to overcome the Americans on home turf, which they managed to do in great style. The majority of the Ryder Cups when Colin played weren’t always ‘fun’ - particularly when the matches got a bit tight late in the day - but they were always memorable. We could feel every shot with him.

7 What about embarrassing moments?Five putting in a medal round – I was concentrating over three of them!

8 Do you have any superstitions?I have quite the collection of pink tees and I always mark my ball with a Leeds United marker.

9 What are your strengths on the course?I’m not a long hitter so I tend to favour plotting my way round. I also tend to rely on my short game these days.

10 And your weaknesses?I’m not long off the tee these days, which I have to manage with, and I hate slow play.

11 Which is your favourite club?My nine iron, which I use a lot around the greens.

12 Who are your best golfing friends?Keith Atkinson, Andy Marwick, Steve Nicholson and Ian Henderson – we all

play together regularly on Saturdays at Northumberland.

13 How does playing golf help your work?So many sporting occasions are terrible for business, but golf is perfect for getting to know people. It’s a chance to share experiences and build a bond over your shared interest, from there you can talk about just about anything.

14 Who is your favourite tour player?Do I have to say Colin? Of the younger guys, Dustin Johnson is incredibly impressive. He never looks like he’s out of second gear and he plays with such ease. The ability to play to that level while looking as though you are well within yourself is a real skill. Brooks Koepka has the same ability.

15 Which event do you enjoy attending?The Masters was special, though it’s 20 years since I was there. Sun City in South Africa is a spectacular place with the nature reserve just beyond the border of the course.

16 Who do you admire?Tiger Woods coming back from his surgeries is incredibly inspiring as a sporting story. In my work, Simon Lenny at Barclays handled big picture thinking brilliantly. Finally, I’d pick my father and brother. My father is 89 now and his generation is incredibly inspiring while Colin’s consistency and will to achieve his goals is very admirable.

17 Which three people would join you in your dream fourball?I’d pick golfers and I’d start with Colin as he doesn’t intimidate me on the course – I can remember when he wasn’t quite so good! I’d love to play with Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods to try and learn something from them.

18 If I could offer you a lottery win or a scratch handicap, which would you choose?I’d take the lottery win as it would last a lot longer.

28 NORTHERN GOLFER

ROUNDWITH

A ROUND WITH...

Brewin Dolphin’s Douglas Montgomerie on his favourite golfing memories and why golf is good for business

Douglas Montgomerie

30 NORTHERN GOLFER

COURSEPROFILE

Alan Hedley heads to Co Durham for a round at Beamish Park Golf Club

The North is blessed with a number of classic English parkland courses and Beamish Park is surely one of our finest examples.

Designed by Sir Henry Cotton, the original nine-hole layout at Eden Hill opened in 1907. The club led a fairly nomadic existence in those early days with nine hole courses at No Place, then behind the Shepherd and Shepherdess pub, before moving to the Deer Park in 1927.

Deer wandered throughout the course - as they do today - and the course was extended to 12 holes in the 1930s by professional Bill Woodend. The Second World War saw the club dissolved, but in February 1948 it was reformed at Beamish Hall. When the hall was taken over by the National Coal Board in 1955, the club moved into a pavilion near Beamish Burn and the course became 16 holes.

The big breakthrough came in 1963 with 65 acres rented from the NCB and construction of an 18-hole course based on a design by Henry Cotton. A new clubhouse came 10 years later, extended in 1982 to produce one of the best 19th holes in the region. The journey was completed in 1989 when the club bought the course.

Progress has been steady thereafter and the course is one to return to regularly given its quality and the warm welcome.

At just under 6,200 yards, the challenge here is plotting your way through the parkland and woodland, with several changes of elevation providing truly spectacular views.

The opening par five may seem easy at just over 500 yards, but it demands an accurate drive to a sloping fairway. Don’t go left here, and avoid the ditch and a big tree to the right side if you’re aiming to reach the green with your second shot. If not, a steady shot will leave a wedge into the narrow green.

The second also requires a decent tee shot, back over the ditch, while your approach to the elevated green has to be spot on. The par three third is tough, played close to 200 yards to a well-bunkered, narrow green.

At close to 450 yards, you must find the fairway at the fourth and be long enough to have a chance of carrying the ravine in front of the green with your approach.

The same ravine menaces the drive at the par five fifth, but get to the crest of the hill and it’s downhill to the green – a good chance for birdie.

The sixth is all about the second shot, which is played to a raised green, while the stunning seventh offers a fairly comfortable downhill approach.

The eighth measures just over 300 yards and may tempt the big hitters to have a go at the green, but there’s out of bounds right and some well positioned bunkers – an iron from the tee for most here.

Accuracy is again the key at the ninth and the approach must avoid the slope on the right of the green, and a hidden bunker on the left side.

The 10th is a great driving hole with a well bunkered, sloping green while the 11th is a cracking par three of around 150 yards.

There’s more temptation for the big hitters at the dogleg 12th, but the drive is fraught with danger with two ponds on the left - heading down the right side of the fairway is the much safer option. Another smashing par three played over a stream follows.

Two ponds are in play at the 14th if you pull your tee shot left, and you’ll require two very good shots to find the plateau green some 400 yards from the tee.

The 15th, The Ravine, is the signature hole

Parklife at Beamish

NORTHERN GOLFER 31

COURSEPROFILE

here (see fact file) and it signals the start of a big finish.

Escape with a four at the 15th and another lovely par three follows. There are two keys to the 16th - don’t go left and avoid the front bunker. Par here is a great result.

Par is also a great score at the long 17th with your tee shot needing to avoid the trees, the stream and out of bounds left along with a ditch in the fairway.

Your drive at the 18th must favour the right side to give a real chance of finding the final green. Reach it in two and you’ll deserve refreshment in the superb clubhouse with its two lounges and dining area with views across the course.

OUR VERDICT One of the best looking courses in the North and a real pleasure to play.

CONTACTBeamish Park Golf ClubThe Club House, Beamish, Stanley Co Durham, DH9 ORHTel 0191 370 1382Professional 0191 370 1984www.beamishgolf.co.ukTwitter @beamishpark_gcFacebook @beamishparkgolfclub

GREEN FEESMondays £16Tues-Fri £18Weekends £22For visitor enquiries and green fees, contact Bill Ward, tel 0191 370 1382

TOTAL DISTANCEWhite tees 6,180 yardsYellow tees 6,122 yardsRed tees 5,478 yards

FEATURESPro shopBuggy, trolley and club hireThree practice areas with a short game/chipping area near the third hole, a medium iron layout between the fifth and sixth holes, and a full practice area of more than 300 yards next to the 10th holeLocker rooms with changing facilities

CADDY’S TIPAccuracy off the tee is the key here

SIGNATURE HOLEThe Ravine, the 384-yard par four 15th hole, is played from a high tee with a severe drop down to a fairway snaking through the ravine. You have to aim at the trees to find the fairway, but there is out of bounds on your left and more trouble on your right – many choose an iron off the tee to avoid the hazards here. If you get it on the fairway, the second shot is played to a narrow downhill green guarded by pot bunkers. A short, tricky par four that can make or break your round.

FACT FILE

The members at Beamish Park play a big role in making their club and course one of the best.A small group of the club’s seniors’ section assist the course manager with tasks ranging from clearing leaves to contracting walkways and more ambitious projects. Dubbed the Groundforce team, the group has become a vital resource, ensuring the course is always looking its best. The team spirit continues across the membership with the ladies section funding the upgrading of the ladies toilet block. Meanwhile, a new lounge and bar area has been created in the old snooker room with much of the work and decoration carried out by members.

HARTLEPOOL GOLF CLUB, Hart Warren, Hartlepool, TS24 9QF hartlepoolgolf@btconnect.com www.hartlepoolgolfclub.co.uk

HARTLEPOOLGOLF CLUB

MONDAY MADNESSTROUGHOUT JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

Available from 2pm onwards Light snack and 18 holes golf £25.00per person minimum 4 players

Telephone 01429 274398 option 2 to book

2019 OPENS3rd August John Proud Open 4BBB Stableford £25 a pair

4th August John Proud Mixed Open 4BBB Stableford £20 a pairRe arranged Hartlepool Open Sat 31st August (Limited spaces available) £25 a pair

12th September Senior Open (55+) 4BBB Stableford £25 a pair10th October Charity Open (Men, Ladies & Juniors in any combination)

Greensome Stableford £15 a pair

Entry forms available fromwww.hartlepoolgolfclub.co.uk or www.golfempire.co.uk

By the seasideThis month we head to the seaside to sample a selection of fine links courses

Hartlepool Golf Club is a true links gem on the Durham coast and remains incredibly popular among those who enjoy a testing seaside layout on the North East coast.

The course is a combination of rolling fairways, hillocks and dunes studded with Marram grass, and some of finest views of the North

East coast. There have been subtle changes over the years with bunker improvements and new raised tees, but the hand of James Braid, who designed some of the holes, can still be seen – particularly at the signature 10th hole.

At just 6,298 yards off the tips, the course isn’t the longest, though

there are five par fours measuring more than 400 yards and like many seaside courses, you can be faced with all four seasons in a round.

The signature par four 10th hole is one of James Braid’s best. It may only be 358 yards but a straight drive is required to avoid the rough on the left and four bunkers to the

right of the fairway, while the second shot is blind and must be played over a mound between two higher peaks to a large green below. A fantastic golf hole at the heart of a true links test. Hartlepool Golf Club Hart Warren, Hartlepool TS24 9QF, tel 01429 274 398 www.hartlepoolgolfclub.co.uk

HARTLEPOOL GOLF CLUB

Hartlepool Golf Club

LINKS

HARTLEPOOL GOLF CLUB, Hart Warren, Hartlepool, TS24 9QF hartlepoolgolf@btconnect.com www.hartlepoolgolfclub.co.uk

HARTLEPOOLGOLF CLUB

MONDAY MADNESSTROUGHOUT JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

Available from 2pm onwards Light snack and 18 holes golf £25.00per person minimum 4 players

Telephone 01429 274398 option 2 to book

2019 OPENS3rd August John Proud Open 4BBB Stableford £25 a pair

4th August John Proud Mixed Open 4BBB Stableford £20 a pairRe arranged Hartlepool Open Sat 31st August (Limited spaces available) £25 a pair

12th September Senior Open (55+) 4BBB Stableford £25 a pair10th October Charity Open (Men, Ladies & Juniors in any combination)

Greensome Stableford £15 a pair

Entry forms available fromwww.hartlepoolgolfclub.co.uk or www.golfempire.co.uk

SILLOTH ON SOLWAY GOLF CLUBThe Cumbrian coast is blessed with a great landscape for golf and Silloth on Solway Golf Club makes stunning use of the natural terrain to present one of England’s finest courses. Designed in 1892 by David Grant and developed by a number of architects throughout its history including Dr Alister MacKenzie and Willie Park Junior, the course is framed by impressive dunes strewn with yellow gorse. Featuring all the hallmarks of a great links, the views across the Firth are spectacular while the sunken dell greens and hazardous bunkering are brought together in a fascinating golf course which is a real pleasure to play.Silloth on Solway Golf Club, Station Road, Silloth, CA7 4AEtel 016973 31304, www.sillothgolfclub.co.uk

SOUTH SHIELDS GOLF CLUBThe coastal layout at South Shields Golf Club brings together elements of heathland and classic links with stunning views out across the North Sea. Founded in 1893, the club remains a popular destination on the Durham coast with its easy walking layout and fine year-round presentation. At 6295 yards, the course – originally a MacKenzie-Braid design - is short by modern standards but remains a true test, particularly when the wind blows. The views here stretch in all directions – out over the Tyne estuary, north to the Cheviot hills and south over Wearside to the Cleveland Hills.South Shields, Cleadon Hills, South Shields, NE34 8EG tel 0191 456 8942, www.ssgc.co.uk

NORTHERN GOLFER 33

34 NORTHERN GOLFER

LINKS

WEST CLIFFS GOLF LINKS, PORTUGALOur friends at Golf Escapes are experts on golfing travel so we asked them for a fine example of links golf on the continent and they chose the stunning West Cliffs Golf Links in Lisbon, Portugal.

Owned and managed by the Praia d’el Rey Golf Resort, West Cliffs Golf Links opened in June 2017 and has everything a golfer could wish for. A truly stunning design with rolling fairways taking in spectacular views of the Atlantic as you carve through the sand dunes, the course can stretch to 7,003 yards, though its generous fairways are welcoming to all players. The greens here are designed to challenge players who aren’t accurate with their approaches, while being beautifully presented year-round. The course was designed by Cynthia Dye McGarey, the daughter of golf course architect Roy Anderson Dye and niece to golf course architect Pete Dye, and takes in the varied landscape and natural terrain of the Silver Coast with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby Óbidos Lagoon.

Blessed with a truly spectacular location, the luxury Praia d’el Rey Marriott Beach and Golf Resort offers guests a beautiful blend of colonial and traditional Portuguese architecture situated beside one of the most breathtaking beaches in Europe. For more information and to book your trip contact the team at Golf Escapes, tel 01342 811 777, email info@golf-escapes.com or visit www.golf-escapes.com

Come and play Silloth foronly £55 midweek

CONTACT DETAILS: bookings@sillothgolfclub.co.uk016973 31304 - www.sillothgolfclub.co.uk

“I will forever rate this golf course comfortably in the top 100 courses in the world”– FERGAL O’LEARY TOP 100 GOLF COURSES

SOUTH SHIELDS GOLF CLUBCleadon Hills, South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE34 8EGMain O� ce: 0191 456 8942 Pro: 0191 4560110Email: ssgchonsecy@gmail.com

THURSDAY SUMMER SPECIAL£60 FOUR BALL

with bacon roll and co� eeQuote Code: Cleadon1 on BRS or direct to Club Pro.

ADDITIONAL WEEK DAY OFFER£14 PER PERSON

AFTER 1PMQuote Code: Cleadon2 on BRS or direct to Club Pro.

o� ers are valid until Sept 30, 2019

REMAINDER OF 2019 MEMBERSHIP

DEALMen £350* Women £300

*16-month membership o� er £799 (1 Sept 19 - 31 Dec 2020)

experience the renowned greens and stunning coastal views - Always in great condition

greatENJOY A

SUMMER ROUND

36 NORTHERN GOLFER

NORTHOFENGLANDYOUTHS

The best young male golfers from around the UK will return to the North East in August for the 45th North of England Open Amateur Youth Golf

Championship at Middlesbrough Golf Club.The event has played an important part in

the careers of major champions and European Tour winners, with many England internationals and leading talents from around the UK expected to tee it up over three days at Brass Castle.

The event, which is open to players under the age of 23, awards World Amateur Golf Ranking points and has welcomed a number of the UK’s finest players in its history.

A total of 136 players will tee off on Tuesday and Wednesday before a 36-hole cut reduces the

field to 40 players and ties for the final two rounds on Thursday.

The leading player will be awarded the MacGill Challenge Trophy, while the leading player under the age of 18 will earn the Fairweather Salver.

Some of British golf ’s biggest names have competed in the event in the last 44 years, including three Masters champions – Danny Willett, Sandy Lyle (the third winner of the tournament) and Ian Woosnam. Ryder Cup legend and eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie went home empty handed from the event, as did European Tour winners Ken Ferrie and Graeme Storm, while two-time senior major winner Roger Chapman (1979), David Horsey (2006) and

Middlesbrough Golf Club hosts the 45th North of England Open Amateur Youth Golf Championship in association with Northern Golfer, August 13-15

Richard Finch (1998) all have their names on the MacGill Challenge Trophy.

In 2018, Warwickshire-based Sam Broadhurst, the son of European Tour legend Paul, shot rounds of 69, 64, 66 and 65 for a 16 under-par total to win the trophy following a runner-up finish in 2017. Greg Holmes (Royal Birkdale) lifted the Fairweather Salver as the leading player under the age of 18 while Michael Hay won the Bates Trophy as the leading home player.

Sam, a student at Lincoln Memorial University in the US, said: “I played for the first time in 2017 and really enjoyed the experience. I wanted to come back and give it my best shot. I’m really proud to win this event and add my name to a great trophy.

Youths heading back to Boro

MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB • BRASS CASTLE LANETelephone 01642 311766 | www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk

NORTHERN GOLFER 37

NORTHOFENGLANDYOUTHS

NORTH OF ENGLAND OPEN AMATEUR YOUTH GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERSYEAR NAME CLUB1975 A Jackson Burnham Beeches1976 N M Chesses Shirley1977 A W B Lyle Hawkstone Park1978 J Cuddihy Ratho Park1979 R Chapman Langley Park1980 J G Bennett Walton Heath1981 J Heib Sutton Bridge1982 R Boxall Camberley Heath1983 M Stokes Maylands 1984 W A Farrow Stoke Poges 1985 F George Beaconsfield 1986 J G C Robinson Woodhall Spa 1987 J Cook Leamington County 1988 C Cassells Murcar 1989 S J Bannerman Cruden Bay 1990 R Walker Brancepeth 1991 S M Green Ashford 1992 R Walker Wearside 1993 S Taylor Hillside 1994 J N Hepworth llkley 1995 G Jenkins Kenilworth 1996 O Cousins St Neot’s 1997 M S King Toft Hotel 1998 R Finch Hull 1999 S J Young Seascale 2000 J W Lupton Middlesbrough2001 P Wheatcroft Worksop 2002 P Richardson Eden 2003 J Mason Fulford 2004 G Jackson Garforth2005 S Uzzell Hornsea 2006 D Horsey Styal 2007 D Whitnell Five Lakes 2008 D Whitnell Five Lakes 2009 B Loughrey Wrag Barn 2010 I Winstanley Formby 2011 J Bower Meltham 2012 J Bower Meltham 2013 A Wilson Darlington 2014 W Whiteoak Shipley 2015 J Hilleard Farrington Park2016 H Hussain Kendleshire2017 Arron Edwards-Hill Chelmsford2018 Sam Broadhurst Atherstone

MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB • BRASS CASTLE LANETelephone 01642 311766 | www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk

NEWMEMBERSHIPS

AVAILABLECALL FOR DETAILS

Sam Broadhurst – North of England Youths Champion 2018

The closing date for entries to this year’s event is Monday August 5.

For more information go to www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk/opens/north-of-england

38 NORTHERN GOLFER

NORTHOFENGLANDYOUTHS

The North of England Open Amateur Youth Championship has long been recognised as an

important event in the amateur golfing calendar.

Some of the biggest names in world golf have played in the event including three Masters champions in Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam and Danny Willett. Lyle was the third winner of the tournament while Woosnam and Willett

Making a name for themselves

went home empty handed, as did Colin Montgomerie.

The event began in 1975 out of a suggestion by the 1967 Middlesbrough Golf Club champion John MacGill and the trophy bears his name. The R&A and the English Golf Union (now England Golf ) gave their blessing to the event and in August 1975 the first drive of the very first championship was struck by Teesside’s Jeff Knaggs in a field of 119 competitors.

In 1977 Claude Fairweather presented The Fairweather Salver for competitors under the age of 18 and in 1994, Frank and Sheila Bates presented a salver to be won by the best home player.

In 1976, David Marquis organised radio transmission of scores for a full hole-by-hole scoreboard – which he designed. The scoreboard was produced by Dents Automotive Repairs of Middlesbrough and financed by Neashams Motors, and

Clockwise from above: Richard Boxall, Roger Chapman, Jonathan Lupton and David Horsey

is still used today with computer-generated name cards rather than chalk ones.

At the first championship, members responded enthusiastically by providing free accommodation for 70 of the 119 contestants. Most provided bed and breakfast, but some even supplied evening meals and many long-term friendships were forged.

David Hunter has meticulously recorded the stories of the championship over the years and much of what is being read here is from his files and the comprehensive programme he produces every year.

Other North of England Youth Open winners include Sky Sports’ Richard Boxall, Michael King, David Horsey and Richard Finch. All became winners on the European Tour, as did the likes of North East players Graeme Storm and Kenneth Ferrie, Jonathan Lomas, Andrew Oldcorn and Simon Dyson – although none of them claimed the North of England title.

Walker Cup player Jonathan Lupton became the first Middlesbrough player to win in 2000 – a popular triumph – while Richard Walker, from Brancepeth and Wearside, was a winner in 1990 and 1992. The first North East winner, Newcastle’s Craig Cassells, was another Walker Cup player.

More recently, Darlington’s Andrew Wilson, an England international and Northumbria University student, won in 2013, and with the tournament backed by England Golf and counting in the World Amateur Golf Rankings as well as the England Under 18 Order of Merit, it continues to attract the best amateurs from across Europe.

MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB • BRASS CASTLE LANETelephone 01642 311766 | www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk

OPENS2019 OPEN DATES:

LADIES OPEN TEAM OF 4: 12TH JULY ‘19: £60.00 PER TEAMJUNIOR OPEN SINGLES: 26TH JULY ‘19: £5.00

MIXED OPEN 4BBB: 28TH JULY ‘19: £35.00 PER PAIRGENTS 4BBB OPEN: 29TH SEP ‘19: £38.00 PER PAIR

ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE FROM WEBSITE:WWW.MIDDLESBROUGHGOLFCLUB.CO.UK

ARE YOU HEADING FOR A COMFORTABLE RETIREMENT?The good news is that people are generally living longer. Britons aged 30 today have a 50% chance of living to more than 100, while 50-year-olds have an even chance of reaching 95

Longer lifespans, however, raise fi nancial challenges - for individuals as well as for families and society.

The idea of a retirement lasting many decades may seem appealing, but longer retirements mean more years of living off your pension and savings. Will yours be enough?

Unless you believe the government is likely to become more generous with the state pension and other retirement benefi ts, individuals will almost certainly need to save more to enjoy the standard of living they would like in retirement.  

SAVING FOR PENSIONSEmployer pensions have become generally less generous. Few people starting a new job are off ered a traditional defi ned benefi t pension – where the employer guarantees you a certain level of pension based on your salary.

Most employer-based pensions now depend on how much you (and your employer) have contributed

and the investment returns achieved by that money.

That said, for most people saving via a workplace pension remains a “no brainer” for building a retirement nest egg – not least because the employer contributions are eff ectively “free money”.

Importantly, pension savers benefi t from a number of attractive tax breaks, including income tax relief on contributions and up to 25% of the proceeds being tax-free. 

However, the government has been paring back the tax breaks on pensions in recent years.

Individuals on the highest incomes can only receive tax relief on up to £10,000 of pension contributions a year. Increasing numbers of people are also being caught by “lifetime allowance” limits on the total value of their pension funds.  

The fear is that despite rising longevity, there will also be further reductions in pension tax breaks in future – for example, higher-rate

tax relief on contributions could be scrapped. For individuals who are in the 40% or 45% income tax bands, it is worth considering taking advantage of higher-rate tax relief while they can. 

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT PENSIONSSaving more into a pension shouldn’t be seen as the only way of funding a potentially long lifespan.

There are a range of other tax breaks available to savers. Most obviously, there are tax-free Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), but also higher-risk investments including Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).

Limits on pension tax breaks

increase the attraction of ISAs and other tax-advantaged investments for retirement saving. With ISAs, for example, adults can now squirrel away £20,000 a year and earn tax-free returns on that money. 

As well as saving more, for many people part of the solution to having a comfortable retirement could be working until they are older. This means you live off your salary for longer, can hopefully save some of these earnings for your retirement, and do not have to draw on your pension and savings until later.

Recent rule changes also mean that individuals have much more fl exibility about how and when they draw an income from pensions. For many people, the increased fl exibility will be welcome, but it also means a risk that individuals withdraw too much too quickly and so run out of money later in retirement.

Saving more, working longer, and having the right fi nancial plan – this combination is likely to be much of the solution for the longer lifespans that many of us hope to enjoy.

For more information, contact Gary Fawcett, Divisional Director, tel 0191 279 7440gary.fawcett@brewin.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

WWW.BREWIN.CO.UK

“We are thrilled with the finished article and the realisation of a project that was started a number of years ago when past captain Bob Stoddart pushed for a new direction for the clubhouse. The aim was to create something more than a simple tidy up and decoration - a product that could service the needs of the golf members as well as drive additional revenue streams.

“When I arrived in 2016, the project was in its formative stage with discussions surrounding a possible new build or a redevelopment of the existing footprint.

“It was agreed that redevelopment would be the preferred option and

City of Newcastle Golf Club, Three Mile Bridge, GosforthNewcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2DRTel: 0191 285 1775 Email: info@cityofnewcastlegolfclub.comwww.cityofnewcastlegolfclub.com

ADVERTORIAL

A NEW DAWN AT NEWCASTLE CLUBIt’s all change at the City of Newcastle Golf Club in Gosforth - so we asked General Manager Michael Rutter to explain a little more about the developments

architects Space ID were appointed to turn our ideas into reality. The new project and plans were presented to the membership in March 2018 and the reaction was extremely positive, with the design providing solutions to problems we constantly encountered while attempting to balance the needs of the members with opportunities for external revenue.

“As most golf clubs will understand only too well, the food and beverage operation is generally subsidised by golfers subscriptions year-on-year. Our aim is to turn the clubhouse into a revenue engine and provide additional funds that can be invested into the golf course.

“On the course, we have started a redesign and shaping of all the bunkers along with much needed woodland maintenance. We have appointed a new Head Greenskeeper, Craig Parkinson, who comes to us with a wealth of experience and we are looking forward to working with Craig to create the best golf course possible.

“In order to reach a January start date, a tremendous amount of work had to be carried out so the project could hit its deadline and budget. A dedicated management team backed up by an extremely supportive committee and a strong chairman has without doubt been

the key to this project not only happening, but meeting the tight schedule.

“Pete Bradley of Kennek Construction was handed the keys on January 21 and work commenced in an e� ort to reopen by the end of May. Not only did Kennek achieve this, they also came in under budget. I would like to also thank our other main sub-contractors who worked along with Kennek to create the finished article, Ridley Brothers Electrical Contractors, Project Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Acorn Kitchens along with the professional contribution of Todd Milburn Partnership.

“The architect and designer, Michael

Simmons, and his team from Space ID have been superb from start to finish and the key to what is now a fantastic new clubhouse.

“When the doors opened on Thursday May 30, it was relief to say the least. Golfers and visitors were highly impressed with the quality of the design and the level of finishings.

“The marketing team has created a nine month strategy prior to opening, which has produced excellent results including the recruitment of over 600 new social members in the first four weeks, all of whom can now look forward to benefiting from the new and improved services

which include a co� ee/breakfast o� ering from 8am and the addition of the new City Bistro each evening.

“Marketing continues to be key in our business plan on an ongoing basis as the foot remains firmly on the pedal as we continue to improve on service standards and quality of o� ering.

“On a personal note, it has been extremely satisfying to be part of this chapter in the City of Newcastle’s history, which has without doubt laid the foundations for the club and its management committee to continue to flourish in what is a challenging marketplace.”

40 NORTHERN GOLFER

“We are thrilled with the finished article and the realisation of a project that was started a number of years ago when past captain Bob Stoddart pushed for a new direction for the clubhouse. The aim was to create something more than a simple tidy up and decoration - a product that could service the needs of the golf members as well as drive additional revenue streams.

“When I arrived in 2016, the project was in its formative stage with discussions surrounding a possible new build or a redevelopment of the existing footprint.

“It was agreed that redevelopment would be the preferred option and

City of Newcastle Golf Club, Three Mile Bridge, GosforthNewcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2DRTel: 0191 285 1775 Email: info@cityofnewcastlegolfclub.comwww.cityofnewcastlegolfclub.com

ADVERTORIAL

A NEW DAWN AT NEWCASTLE CLUBIt’s all change at the City of Newcastle Golf Club in Gosforth - so we asked General Manager Michael Rutter to explain a little more about the developments

architects Space ID were appointed to turn our ideas into reality. The new project and plans were presented to the membership in March 2018 and the reaction was extremely positive, with the design providing solutions to problems we constantly encountered while attempting to balance the needs of the members with opportunities for external revenue.

“As most golf clubs will understand only too well, the food and beverage operation is generally subsidised by golfers subscriptions year-on-year. Our aim is to turn the clubhouse into a revenue engine and provide additional funds that can be invested into the golf course.

“On the course, we have started a redesign and shaping of all the bunkers along with much needed woodland maintenance. We have appointed a new Head Greenskeeper, Craig Parkinson, who comes to us with a wealth of experience and we are looking forward to working with Craig to create the best golf course possible.

“In order to reach a January start date, a tremendous amount of work had to be carried out so the project could hit its deadline and budget. A dedicated management team backed up by an extremely supportive committee and a strong chairman has without doubt been

the key to this project not only happening, but meeting the tight schedule.

“Pete Bradley of Kennek Construction was handed the keys on January 21 and work commenced in an e� ort to reopen by the end of May. Not only did Kennek achieve this, they also came in under budget. I would like to also thank our other main sub-contractors who worked along with Kennek to create the finished article, Ridley Brothers Electrical Contractors, Project Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Acorn Kitchens along with the professional contribution of Todd Milburn Partnership.

“The architect and designer, Michael

Simmons, and his team from Space ID have been superb from start to finish and the key to what is now a fantastic new clubhouse.

“When the doors opened on Thursday May 30, it was relief to say the least. Golfers and visitors were highly impressed with the quality of the design and the level of finishings.

“The marketing team has created a nine month strategy prior to opening, which has produced excellent results including the recruitment of over 600 new social members in the first four weeks, all of whom can now look forward to benefiting from the new and improved services

which include a co� ee/breakfast o� ering from 8am and the addition of the new City Bistro each evening.

“Marketing continues to be key in our business plan on an ongoing basis as the foot remains firmly on the pedal as we continue to improve on service standards and quality of o� ering.

“On a personal note, it has been extremely satisfying to be part of this chapter in the City of Newcastle’s history, which has without doubt laid the foundations for the club and its management committee to continue to flourish in what is a challenging marketplace.”

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42 NORTHERN GOLFER

John Harrison

tel 01661 886 400

www.matfenhall.com

GOLFERTIPS

PITCH PERFECTPitching from tight, firm lies requires a lot of feel and confidence – here are two tips to get the ball close from these positions.

First, place your weight slightly more on your left side (for the right-handed golfer). This will create a slightly steeper angle in the ball, preventing the club striking behind the ball, bouncing off the hard turf and causing a thin strike.

Second, in the downswing, imagine there is a race between your hands and the clubhead that always ends in a dead heat. This will ensure you’re in the correct position at impact – eliminating the chance of creating too much shaft lean and stopping any scooping with the hands through impact.

NORTHERN GOLFER 43

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44 NORTHERN GOLFER

GOLFERPROMOTIONS

winNorthern Golfer competitions are also listed on our website www.northerngolfer.co.uk/competitions Alternatively, you can post your entry to: Competitions, Northern Golfer, Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL Please include your contact details and telephone number. Closing date Thursday August 1, 2019. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Who won the 2018 Seniors Open Championship?

One of Northumberland’s finest parkland course, City of Newcastle is always a pleasure to visit.

Between Durham and Crook, Brancepeth remains one of the finest examples of Harry Colt’s design work in our region.

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT CITY OF NEWCASTLE

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For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Which course will host the 2020 Open Championship?

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Set in the shadow of the magnificent Matfen Hall, the 27 holes here are set out on a classic parkland landscape with many unique obstacles.

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For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Who won the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach?

Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Boldon - Tony Bowman of Sunderland • Rockliffe Hall - Richard Heath of Sunderland Swing Speed Golf - Michael Cox of Cramlington

Burgham Park’s journey to becoming one of the best courses in the county has taken a big step in the right direction with the appointment of new Head Greenkeeper Paul Walton.

Paul was the Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Hexham Golf Club and comes with excellent knowledge and experience.

A greenkeeper for 11 years. Paul said: “In the last 11 years I have met some great like-minded people and love everything about the industry. Working at tournaments and attending education days, I have met a lot of peers who have become good friends.

“I’ve also been fortunate to work at several European Tour and PGA Tour events too, and these events have been a big part of my career - giving me a lot of knowledge to share with fellow greenkeepers.

“The last tournament I worked was the 101st PGA Championship at Bethpage (Black)

Golf Society.Booking taken 7 Days a week, minimum 12 Persons.Phone for Prices.

BURGHAM, Nr FELTON, NORTHUMBERLAND NE65 9QPE : burghamparkgolfclub@gmail.com W : www.burghamparkgolfclub.co.ukT : 01670 787898 (OPTION 1)

Remaining Opens.Monday 22nd July.Ladies Texas Scramble, £40.00 per team of 4.

Saturday 17th August.Mixed Open Greensomes, £22.00 per pair.1st Prize: 3 Night Stay in one of our luxury cottages, for up to6 persons. Plus prize voucher.

Monday 2nd September.Ladies team of 3, £30.00 per team.

Tuesday 10th September.Seniors 4 Man Texas Scramble,£40.00 per team.

Sunday 6th October. Gents combined pairs, £20.00 per pair.

One of the finest championship courses in the Region.

Pro Rata Golf Membership.from 1st August 2018 - 31st March 2020 (remainder of the 2019/2020 season)

Full 7 Day £390.00

5 Day Mon-Fri £290.00

Pay & Play 7 Day £160.00+ £10.00 every time you play.

Intermediate 22 – 25 Years £240.00

Juniors 19 – 21 Years £140.00

Twilight GolfJULY – SEPTEMBER AFTER 2.00PM

Midweek £18.00 per round

Weekend £20.00 per round

ADVERTORIAL

BURGHAM PARK GOLF CLUBAPPOINTS NEW HEAD GREENKEEPERManager and Director of Golf Kevin Gow promises to make Burgham Park’s golf course one of the best

on Long Island, New York. There is something special about working a major championship - the atmosphere around the place was electric.

“My tasks over the week were varied but my main job was to mow approaches at 5.5mm on the back nine. The standard for everything on the golf course was very high and the detail showed throughout was exceptional - although I’m not too sure club members would appreciate the rough being mowed at 3.5 inches.

“The Ryder Cup returns to Bethpage in 2024 and I have already been asked to return - I’m looking forward to that.

“I am excited to be joining

Burgham in July. I’ll also be at Royal Portrush to help prepare for this year’s Open. The time spent at these events is great experience, which I hope to bring to the team at Burgham Park.

“I have been interested in Burgham for a long time as the course has always had lots of character. It has the potential to be one of the best courses around.

“I start my role in early July. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and getting to know the members.”

Kevin Gow, Manager and Director of Golf at Burgham, added: “We’re ready to move to the next level with a great team behind us.”Burgham Park Golf Club, Near Felton Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 9QPtel 01670 787 898www.burghamparkgolfclub.co.uk email:burghamparkgolfclub@gmail.com

NORTHERN GOLFER 45

46 NORTHERN GOLFER

Welcome to your reader feedback page. We want to hear your likes, dislikes and funny golfing stories, and if you’d like to make suggestions about Northern Golfer, let us know. We want to hear from you!

bunkerfrom the

Yorkshire topped a close County Match Week leaderboard at Seaton Carew Golf Club. Heading into the final day, Lancashire topped the standings and victory over Yorkshire would have given them the title. However, Yorkshire claimed a 6-3 victory to win the title for a fourth consecutive year. Northumberland finished in third place following a final day victory over Durham - who were within touching distance of the top spot following their win over Yorkshire on day three. A close set of matches throughout the week brought together an incredibly strong field at Seaton Carew and the spirit between the teams was highlighted in many of the pictures from the event - a selection of which are above. More pictures from the week are available on the associations’ social media channels.

Cleveland Golf Club captain Martin Fleming completed the marathon task of playing 100 holes over the Redcar links in just one day to raise money for Special Olympics GB (Skelton and Cleveland Branch). ”It’s a fantastic organisation providing a range of sporting activities across Cleveland and the North Yorkshire areas, throughout the year,” said Martin, who played more than five full rounds in one day - and raised more than £2,000 in the process. His effort was sponsored by Steve Duck Integral Collection, Skelton and NH Electrical of Lazenby and he was joined throughout the day by a scorer and playing partner Rob Dove.

Congratulations to 13-year-old Ethan Searle from Parklands Golf Club, who recorded his first hole-in-one on Tuesday June 11 at his home club’s eighth hole.

Things don’t stand still for long at Whitburn Golf Club and having confirmed the plans to install solar panels on the clubhouse earlier this year, the £25,000 investment is now in place. The latest addition to the clubhouse follows the installation of a biomass heating system, the opening of a new downstairs lounge and bar, and changes on the golf course to improve drainage, reshape the 14th fairway and create a new pond on the approach to the 15th green.

Good luck to Wilton Golf Club professional James Kraus, who will be taking on a marathon challenge on July 15 to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK. James will play 10 rounds in a single day without the use of a buggy, trolley or caddy to raise money for the cause, which is the chosen charity of club captain Steve Thompson. To sponsor James, contact the pro shop at Wilton Golf Club.

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Leave A1 (m) at junction 63 Chester-le-Street and follow

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