Hexham course comes under the rule of Law
Published at 09:05, Monday, 30 July 2012
THE best women amateur golfers from the North of England headed to Hexham for a prestigious tournament.
More than 50 top competitors participated in the English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) Northern Women’s Championships at the club.
Hexham was chosen as the ideal choice to host the tournament, and the set-up impressed both players and officials.
Heather Stonebank, an EWGA Northern representative, said: “Hexham is one of the best courses in the county and, as well as being beautiful, it is a good test of golf.
“What we found over the three days is that everybody at the club has been so helpful, and they have all gone above and beyond the call of duty.”
Over the three days, the 50 plus entrants on the opening day were whittled down to the two finalists, Curtis Cup player Bronte Law, of Bramhall, Cheshire, and Brogan Townend, of Pleasington, Lancashire, who has represented England.
In the 36-hole qualifying event, Townend returned the best gross scores for the morning and afternoon rounds by carding 76 and 74, and it was her county who claimed the best nett and the best gross team prizes.
The top 16 made it through to the matchplay stages of the championship, while those finishing between 17th and 24th place competed for the Millennium Bowl.
Scooping the Millennium trophy was Hannah Holden, of Lightcliffe, Yorkshire, after defeating Hollie Vizard, of Pleasington.
Attention turned to the main final where, after a close fought encounter, Law claimed the top prize to bring an exciting three days of golf to an end.
Ladies’ captain Joan Dinning said: “Hexham Golf Club have been excited for this tournament since last year and it is nice that it is finally here!
“We are extremely thrilled to host the competition, and feel privileged to have been chosen.
“It has been a very enjoyable three days and it has brought everybody out to watch such wonderful golf.”
A charity golf day at Close House Hotel and Golf Course in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund will have a local poignant feel to it.
For the winning team at the Heddon-on-the-Wall event will pick up the Campbell Gillies Memorial Trophy in honour of the young Scottish jockey who recently died in a swimming accident while on holiday.
The 21-year-old was a popular rider at Hexham Racecourse, riding both his first (Gunson Hight in 2007) and last (Fog Patches in June, 2012) winners at Yarridge Heights.
His agent, Hexham-based BB Jockey Management, is helping to organise the Injured Jockeys Fund Charity Golf Day, and was touched that the trophy was named in Campbell’s honour.
BB’s Paul Brierley said: “I was Campbell’s agent since he was 15 and he was a very close friend, virtually like a son, so we are pleased to be involved with the golf day.
“A lot of known jockeys and owners are going to be playing on the day, and it will be a great sporting event.”
The hotel’s championship Colt course for the Monday, September 3 event has been donated free of charge by owner Graham Wylie.
In teams of four, people will battle it out to be crowned best performers in the 18-hole stableford competition.
Organisers are already considering extending the number of teams from 24 to 30, such has been the interest in the event.
Anyone interested in sponsoring or entering a team can contact Karen Sharpe at ks@ijf.org.uk or Paul Brierley at bbjockeys@hotmail.co.uk
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk
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