If at first you don’t succeed ... Whitby Golf Club in Yorkshire bounced back to become the England Golf Club Team Champions at their second attempt.
If at first you don’t succeed ... Whitby Golf Club in Yorkshire bounced back to become the England Golf Club Team Champions at their second attempt.
“Last year we were abysmal!” laughed Bob Scott, who teamed up with his partner, Janet McGeehin, and their friends Siew Choon Tan and Mike Coates for both attempts. “We weren’t going to let that lie, so we came back to show that we can play well.”
This year the team grabbed their second chance, hit top form, scored 87 points on the Blue course at Frilford Heath Golf Club in Oxfordshire – and flew the flag for their club.
Whitby is a small club and an ecstatic Siew Choon commented:
“This is a very big deal, it will raise our club’s profile.” Janet added: “I just think it’s absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to send a photo on Whatsapp to my grandchildren. I never, ever, thought I would do anything like this.”
They finished one point ahead of the team from Downes Crediton Golf Club in Devon, represented by David Taylor, Fran Shrubsole, Quintin Payne-Cook and Elizabeth Mapson. Behind them, third place was shared on 81 points by Marriott Worsley Park Golf Club in Manchester and Elton Furze Golf Club in Cambridgeshire.
The championship was the first event in England Golf Week, which brings over 500 competitors to Frilford Heath to take part in a series of finals during the five-day celebration of handicap golf.
This is the second year the Club Team Championship has been held and on both occasions it’s been won by Yorkshire clubs, with Whitby following Shipley’s inaugural success.
Today’s event was played in breezy sunshine, which was no problem for the Whitby team with their experience of coastal golf. “This is a zephyr to us,” said Bob, who runs the bar and catering business at Whitby.
He plays off seven, while Mike is an eight-handicapper, Siew Choon plays off 18 and Janet off 33. “It was good team work,” said Janet. “When one of us got into trouble some-one else stepped in.” Mike, who chipped in at one point, added: “We did a lot of scrambling.”
All four enjoyed the mixed format with the best two stableford scores counting on each hole. “It gets you thinking and plotting,” said Mike.
They’re already hoping to make their third appearance at Golf Week to defend their title next year.
Credit- Leaderboard Photography
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