Ladies Pairs Open at Rufford Park

Entries for the 2011 Ladies Pairs Open at Rufford Park Golf Club are now open.

This popular 4-Ball Betterball Stableford will be held on Thursday 28th April 2011 and places are expected to go very quickly.

Entry is good value at £40 per pair as this includes a buffet meal. The handicap limit is 36 and a 3/4 allowance will be applied.


About the course
Set in the heart of Sherwood Forest, Rufford Park Golf and Country Club, boasts a 6,368 yard, par 70 golf course set in over 200 acres of beautiful parkland and woodland. This makes it one of the most memorable Nottinghamshire golf clubs.

In addition to the course the venue also has excellent practice and tuition facilities including a 16 bay floodlit driving range.

Silsden Rabbits Open

Whilst competitions from all categories have just been listed in Yorkshire a number of Rabbits Open events are now up on the site.

One of these competitons is the tournament at Silsden Golf Club. This Rabbits 4-Ball Betterball competition will take place on Sunday 3rd July 2011 and has an entry-fee of just £20 per pair.

The format is 4BBB Stableford with a maximum handicap limit of 24. A 3/4 handicap allowance will be applied at this well organised tournament.

As well as the main event there will also be a nearest-the-pin, longest drive and putting competition.

Tee times are available from 8am until 2.30pm and always go quickly whilst food will be available to purchase on the day.


About the course
Silsden is a 5,062 yard parkland golf course situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales just two miles from Keighley.

With spectacular views of the Aire Valley, it is a good test for the experienced golfer and a great place for the inexperienced player to hone their skills.

The club has a tranquil playing atmosphere and friendly clubhouse.

Nefyn & District Golf Club 2011 Opens

Nefyn & District Golf Club are now accepting entries for their open events in 2011 so be very quick if you want to secure a spot at this wonderful and surreal venue.

There are five tournaments in total, three of which will be played in the month of May.

The first tournament is a 3-Man Team Stableford on Sunday 1st May where the best two scores on each hole count. Entry is £60 per team and there is a handicap limit of 28.

A second Gents Team Open takes place later that month on Saturday 28th May. This time it is an Am-Am Stableford and costs £80 per team of four. Again, the best two scores count and the maximum handicap is 28.

Hot and cold food will be available all day at the above two events, which can be booked on the day prior to your round.

On Sunday 29th May a Mixed Am-Am will take place. This team Stableford is open to men and ladies (two per team) with maximum handicaps of 28 (men) and 36 (ladies). The best gents & ladies score is to count on each hole and the entry-fee is great value at £60 per team.

Moving into June and on Sunday 26th a Ladies Pairs Open will be held. This 4BBB Stableford has an entry-fee of just £25 per pair and a handicap limit of 36.

Finally, a Charity Mixed Pairs Open is scheduled for Sunday 28th August. This greensome Stableford is for couples with maximum handicaps of 28 (men) and 36 (ladies). Entry is £30 per couple.

For the three competitions above there will be a carvery available. This must be booked and paid for at time of entry and costs £8 per person.

All five tournaments take place on the New course and winners must produce a current (dated within one month) active handicap certificate.

About the course
Nefyn is a unique golf course that can be enjoyed by golfers of every standard because in the case of so many of its holes, it invites the golfer to create the challenge – in a phrase, ‘you can do it the easy way or the hard way, the risk or reward is of one’s own making!’.

The course opens with three par fours and a par five which run along the coastline before turning inland and a series of six holes which provide the golfer with the spectacular backdrop of the surrounding mountains.

In open events after 10 holes golfers will then continue on the New course with an opening par three which, depending on the wind, can be a wood or a medium iron. Thereafter, a series of longish par fours and a par five around a coastal inlet brings the golfer back to the 18th tee with its panoramic view of the entire course.

Bridlington Links 2011 Opens

Bridlington Links are now accepting entries for their open events in 2011.

There is a full schedule of competitions at this popular venue with events running from May through until September.

The first tournament is on Monday 23rd May and is a Seniors Team Open (age 50+). At just £48 per team this represents excellent value as coffee & biscuits are included upon your arrival. A Senior Pairs Stableford (£24 per pair) will also be played on the 7th September.

The following month, on Thursday 9th June, a Ladies Pairs Open will take place. This is a Betterball Stableford for female golfers holding a handicap of 36 or less. The entry-fee of £24 per pair also includes a 2's sweep. A Ladies Team Open also takes place later in the year on the 4th August.

The very popular Links Mixed Pairs Open will take place on Friday 15th July next year and is open to couples with maximum handicaps of 24 (men) and 36 (ladies). Meanwhile a Seniors Mixed Team Open is scheduled for Friday 19th August for men and ladies who have attained the age of 50.

The annual Junior Open is down for the 24th August and at only £10 per person always proves to be one of the most well attended throughout Yorkshire. It is open to boys and girls and takes the form of an Individual Medal.

Finally, a Texas Scramble Open will be held on Wednesday 6th July. This event is open to men or ladies (no mixed teams) and has an entry-fee of £48 per team, which includes coffee & biscuits on arrival.

2011 Entry-forms:

23/05/2011 Seniors Team Open @ Bridlington Links Golf Club - £48 per team

09/06/2011 Ladies Pairs Open @ Bridlington Links Golf Club - £24 per pair

06/07/2011 Team Open @ Bridlington Links Golf Club - £48 per team

15/07/2011 Mixed Pairs Open @ Bridlington Links Golf Club - £24 per couple

04/08/2011 Ladies Team Open @ Bridlington Links Golf Club - £48 per team

19/08/2011 Seniors Mixed Team Open @ Bridlington Links Golf Club - £48 per team

24/08/2011 Junior Open @ Bridlington Links Golf Club - £10 per person

07/09/2011 Senior Pairs Open @ Bridlington Links Golf Club - £24 per pair

About the course...
Bridlington Links Golf & Leisure Estate is a top quality golfing venue, perched on a magical part of England’s heritage coast that still manages to exceed expectations.

It boasts a fine 6,719 yard course with a distinctive “links feel” and breathtaking views of Bridlington Bay and the town. The par 72 layout offers spectacular holes along the cliff tops and Danes Dyke and is a challenge to all levels of golfer.

Piece of cake for Taylor

BARRY Taylor can afford to pay for an extra tier on his wedding cake when he marries his partner Shirley next month.

The Houghwood assistant eclipsed a big field for the second week running in the Mansell Finishes Winter Series at Royal Liverpool to add another £400 to the pot.

“It could not have come at a better time,” said Taylor who fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to beat Pryors Hayes professional Freddy Valenti by a shot and Prestbury’s Mark Pilling by two.

“It was a case of in one hand and out of the other. The money is already spoken for because we’re going to New York for our honeymoon!”

Highlight of his round was an eagle at the 496-yard par five 14th where he arrowed a rescue club to 10 feet. Five birdies also went down on his card and a couple of other chances slipped by.

Consistency was the key to his game. “I hit all the fairways and greens in regulation,” he added.

Taylor had another reason to celebrate – this was his 90th win in seven years as a professional.

And he repeated his success from the previous week at Formby by winning the pro-am section with Blundell Hills member Mark English whose handicap had been reduced by two to seven.

They hold healthy leads in their respective Orders of Merit as the series reaches its half-way stage. The action resumes at Hoylake on February 28.

DETAILS (par 72): 65 Barry Taylor (Houghwood); 66 Freddy Valenti (Pryors Hayes); 67 Mark Pilling (Prestbury); 68 Jeff Mathews (Mytton Fold), Ian Singleton (Whalley), Steve Parry (North West GA), Andrew Barnett (North Wales DR).

REMAINING FIXTURES. Feb 28: Royal Liverpool. March 7: Formby; 28 St Annes Old Links.

CROWN GOLF IS 'GROUP OF THE YEAR' 2010

Golf owner / operator receives major leisure industry award!

Crown Golf has received a major award from outside the golf industry, in being recognised as the UK club industry's 'Group Of The Year' in the annual Club Awards 2010.

In an awards ceremony at Manchester's Palace Hotel on November 10th 2010, Crown Golf beat fellow nominees Rileys, the snooker specialists, and holiday park operators Park Holidays, to win the industry's top award for groups.

Crown Golf is also the current holder of Clubhouse magazine's 'Golf Group Of The Year' award, having won the title in both 2007 and 2008. The Clubhouse Awards return in 2011.

The Club Awards, now in their 18th year, celebrate the dynamism and professionalism of the £5 billion clubs industry around the UK. Crown Golf is the industry's first 'Group Of The Year', as the award was new to this year's Club Awards.

Clubs play a pivotal role in communities across the UK, encouraging all ages to participate in grass-roots sports and fitness activities, providing local social and entertainment centres, and creating the infrastructure for the country's leisure and holiday network.

At the heart of the UK club industry is Club Mirror magazine, owner and organiser of The Club Awards. Editor and Head of Judges Caroline Scoular said: "Crown Golf's achievements are impressive. In the face of tough economic conditions, the group has managed to identify and drive new markets through tailored initiatives.

"For example its 'Discover Golf' activity was launched across 12 of its Crown Golf Academy venues. For a monthly fee, beginners can sign up to a three-month programme which lets them attend classes of their choice - whether it's driving, gripping, rules or etiquette, they can identify which they want to focus on. It's a model which works well for health clubs and is clearly working for Crown Golf.

"In addition, they recognised that they were low on 19-29 year olds, so they launched a successful intermediate membership programme. And they also raised over £75,000 for charity during 2010.

"There's not enough space to list all of Crown's achievements; a worthy winner."

Crown Golf's Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Lewis, said: "I am very happy to accept this Award on behalf of the 1,300 employees who work at Crown Golf. It is their dedication, professionalism and commitment that is being recognised and acknowledged by receiving the Award. I would also like to thank the Club Mirror Group for organising and sponsoring such a worthwhile and enjoyable event."

Club Mirror Publisher and Managing Director Sean Ferris said: "Now more than ever, clubs are at the heart of communities across the UK. Despite so many closures in other types of local business, the industry will be campaigning and lobbying in 2011 to ensure that clubs remain an integral part of life in this country for many years to come."

Master Penny

Morpeth's Mark Penny, surrounded by many friends & family, finally got his hands on the ZFL North East Masters trophy & a £500 voucher at the weekend.

At the presentation evening, superbly hosted by his home club, Mark was presented with the championship trophy by Morpeth Captain, Steve Wake.

It capped a great season for the former double Northumberland County Champion which saw him win four of the 14 qualifying scratch events that make up the ZFL North East Masters series.

Penny won at Heworth, Seaton Carew, Morpeth & Westerhope & scored points in every one of the other six events he played in. That was enough to secure the title with 1191 points from former Durham Champion, Brancepeth's Michael Curry, who scored 1034 points & won two of the tournaments.

Phil Ridden (City of Newcastle) was third on 913 followed by club mate & defending ZFL Champion, Simon Lee, on 841. South Shields Nigel King finished fifth on 730 narrowly pipping Brancepeth star Richard Aisbitt by 5 points thanks to a sixth place finish in the final event at Woodham.

And Morpeth showed their strength in depth as two more of their players finished in the top 10. Mark's brother & 2010 Journal Champion of Champions winner Craig was seventh & multiple County Champion, Sandy Twynholm, tenth.

ZFL MD, Andrew Leach, said, "I would like to congratulate the hundreds of players who competed in the series this year & especially the prize winners who have showed great skill & tenacity to get into the top five. My special congratulations go to Mark on winning the title. ZFL will be back for a third year & I wish all the players a successful campaign in 2011."

Huddersfield Golf Club Winter Package

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Anybody who books this winter golf package & quotes "GE1" will receive a free bottle of wine per 4-ball with their meal!

Huddersfield Golf Club in West Yorkshire currently have a great value winter package on.

The 'Fixby Winter Package' includes coffee & a bacon sandwich upon arrival at the famous championship course, 18 holes of golf and a 3-course table d'hote meal with coffee. The cost is excellent value at just £40 per person.

An example of the 3-course meal would be soup of the day with a crusty roll, dish of the day served with season potatoes & vegetables followed by a fruit crumble & custard witjh coffee.

Huddersfield Golf Club hosted the Brabazon Trophy North Qualifying earlier this year and is a regular on the Yorkshire County Championship rota. It has held European Senior Tour events and is one of the finest courses in the North of England. The course has USGA sand-based greens which drain extremely well and are playable all year round.

Parties of 4-28 can take advantage of this deal until the 30th April by phoning the office on 01484 426203.

Taylor's suited to a tee

BARRY Taylor was a cut above the rest in the second Mansell Finishes Winter Series at Formby where he topped the 55-strong field with a flawless five-under-par 67.

And after picking up a cheque for £400, he said: "That's already spoken for - I'm getting married next month!"

The Houghwood assistant, who's chalked up eight assorted wins this season including the Liverpool Alliance Championship last week, carded five birdies, three on the outward half.

He prevailed by a shot from Haigh Hall teaching pro Alan Crompton as Moor Allerton's Adrian Ambler claimed third prize a shot further back And Taylor made it a double pay-day - he won the team event as well with Blundell Hills member Mark English.

The series reaches its half-way stage next Monday with another full entry at Royal Liverpool where Crompton's clubmate Craig Corrigan takes a narrow lead in the Order of Merit.

DETAILS (par 72): 67 Barry Taylor (Houghwood); 68 Alan Crompton (Haigh Hall); 69 Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton); 70 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall); 71 Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall), Graham Cox (Davenport), Will Barnes (Garstang Hotel), Gareth Jones (Sandiway), Mathew Ellis (Romiley), Matthew Tottey (North Wales), Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool), Andrew Barnett (North Wales DR).

REMAINING FIXTURES - Nov 22: Royal Liverpool. Feb 28: Royal Liverpool. March 7: Formby; 28 St Annes Old Links.

Your Country Needs You! Sign Up for a “Ryder Cup Moment”

What pride and passion we all witnessed at Celtic Manor! Now it’s the turn of Club Golfers of all standards to experience the emotion of a “Ryder Cup moment” and represent their Country in the 2011 Four Nations Golf Challenge!

The Four Nations Golf Challenge, potentially the most exciting pairs competition for amateur club golfers ever devised, offers the mouth-watering prize of a “Ryder Cup” style finale on one of Europe’s most challenging courses.

Open to men and ladies, The Four Nations Golf Challenge will culminate in a Grand Final to be contested by four teams of 12 players representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales at The Oxfordshire Golf Club in the Chiltern Hills from 25 - 28 September, 2011.

To earn their chance to represent the Champion Golf Nation of the Year, a pair will need to win a maximum of four four-ball, better-ball matches, starting in May, in regional brackets consisting of 16 pairs each. If necessary, depending on the number of entries, a one-day final qualifying event will be held to decide which six pairs will represent their country in the Grand Final.

Roger Brady, Director of organisers Concierge Golf, said: “Even though several national knock-out competitions for amateur golfers take place each year, there are none, as far as we are aware, that offer the chance of an ‘international team’ appearance to club golfers of all standards.”

The cost of entry is just £20 per person (£40 per pair).

The Oxfordshire, a spectacular rolling layout designed by Rees Jones and owned by the Leaderboard Group which also includes Chart Hills, Dale Hill and Sandford Springs, opened its own state- of-the-art four-star hotel last May and every finalist will stay free of charge throughout the four days of the Grand Final, which is planned to be televised.

Since opening in 1993, The Oxfordshire has hosted the Anderson Consulting World Matchplay, the Ladies English Open, and from 1996 to 1999 it was the venue for the Benson & Hedges International Open. The latter boasts an enviable list of winners including Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer and Darren Clarke. The Oxfordshire will provide a proven setting for club golfers to experience the passion and thrill of playing for their countries for the first time.

As Roger Brady says: “Just think: it could be you on the last day, all square in the deciding match, your team-mates behind the final green willing you on to hole the putt that gives your country victory! Where else could you feel that ‘Ryder Cup moment’?”

Entries are open to every golfer with a CONGU ‘active” handicap and will close on 30 April, 2011.

For tournament registration or any other queries, please click on to www.fournationsgolfchallenge.co.uk or call 01276-35505.

Hawkstone Park 2011 Opens

Hawkstone Park Golf Club are now accepting entries for their open competitions in 2011. There are a dozen events in total with something for everyone.

Open tournaments at Hawkstone notoriously fill up very quickly but we have provided priority entry-forms below for you to sure a place.

The first event of the year is on Friday 13th May and is a Men's Veterans Betterball competition for golfers aged 60 and over. Further opens for senior golfers take place in June, July and September - these three are available to those who are aged 55+. Entry is between £46 and £48 per pair for each event.

Lady golfers will be pleased to know that two team competitions will be held at the Shrewsbury-based golf club during the year. The first, an Am-Am Stableford, is on Friday 3rd June whilst the second, a 3-Ball Alliance, takes place on Monday 11th July. Both offer fantastic days of golf!

If it is Mixed golf that you are looking for then you won't be disappointed either! There are three competitions in total with a Mixed Greensomes Open on Wednesday 15th June (£48 per couple). A Mixed Betterball Open (£46 per couple) is scheduled for Tuesday 19th July whilst a Mixed Team Stableford will be played on Friday 9th September (£96 per team).

The very popular Hawkstone Team Open takes place next year on Saturday 11th June. This 4-person Team Stableford is open to gents, ladies or mixed teams. Entry is £100 per team with spaces expected to be taken very quickly.

The famous Sandy Lyle Salver, a 72-hole scratch strokeplay championship for boys under the age of 18 will be played on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th August.

A meal for competitors is included in all the above competitions and there are some wonderful prizes to be won too!

Both the Championship and Hawkstone courses are used for opens, please check each entry-form for full details.

The Wem Bowl
In 2011 the prestigious Wem Bowl will take place on Saturday 27th August. This 36-hole scratch tournament attracts some of the best golfers from across the UK. Entry is £30 per person, which includes lunch and an evening meal.

Played over both courses entry is open to male golfers with a ballot taking place to eliminate the higher handicaps.

2011 Entry-forms

13/05/2011 Veterans Pairs Open @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £48 per pair

03/06/2011 Ladies Team Open @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £96 per team

08/06/2011 Senior Pairs Open @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £48 per pair

11/06/2011 Team Open @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £100 per team

15/06/2011 Mixed Pairs Open @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £48 per couple

05/07/2011 Senior Pairs Open @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £46 per pair

11/07/2011 Ladies Team Open @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £73.50 per team

19/07/2011 Mixed Pairs Open @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £46 per couple

04-05/08/2011 Sandy Lyle Junior Salver @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £26 per person

27/08/2011 Wem Bowl @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £30 per person

02/09/2011 Senior Pairs Open @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £46 per pair

09/09/2011 Mixed Team Open @ Hawkstone Park Golf Club - £96 per team

The race to Alwoodley

Amateur golfers in the North of England will have a brand new matchplay competition to compete in next season.

The Northern Matchplay Golf Championship is a season-long tournament initially split into six counties; Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland and Yorkshire.

There is an Individual and Betterball Pairs competition both played off handicap. The opening round is played over 36 holes on a ‘home & away’ basis so players are assured of at least one round away from their home course. A draw is then made for home advantage in subsequent rounds.

To minimise travelling distances golfers will initially compete locally where they will be aiming to reach their ‘county’ final. The winners at each regional final venue will then progress to the two-day expenses paid Grand Final at The Alwoodley Golf Club in September 2011 to determine the overall champions.

Regional final venues include; West Lancs, Wallasey, Silloth-on-Solway, Seaton Carew, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Pannal, all of which have hosted Open Qualifying events. Tournament Director, Edward Battye, said, “To have some of the finest courses in the North of England as regional final venues is a real coup and will certainly give entrants an extra incentive.”

In 2010 Battye, who is founder of the popular Golf Empire website, ran a similar event but just in Yorkshire and received over 300 entries. He explained, “The response to the Yorkshire event was absolutely fantastic and means that we are now able to roll it out across other counties in the North.”

To enter you must be a male golfer, aged 16 or over on 31st March 2011, with an active CONGU handicap held at a golf club affiliated to one of the above County Golf Unions. The entry-fee represents good value at just £15 per person or £25 per pair.

Those interested in entering should log on to www.northernmatchplay.co.uk for full details.

Calling all Northern Golfers – The Race to Alwoodley

Amateur golfers in the North of England will have a brand new matchplay competition to compete in next season.

The Northern Matchplay Golf Championship is a season-long tournament initially split into six counties; Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland and Yorkshire.

There is an Individual and Betterball Pairs competition both played off handicap. The opening round is played over 36 holes on a ‘home & away’ basis so players are assured of at least one round away from their home course. A draw is then made for home advantage in subsequent rounds.

To minimise travelling distances golfers will initially compete locally where they will be aiming to reach their ‘county’ final. The winners at each regional final venue will then progress to the two-day expenses paid Grand Final at The Alwoodley Golf Club in September 2011 to determine the overall champions.

Regional final venues include; West Lancs, Wallasey, Silloth-on-Solway, Seaton Carew, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Pannal, all of which have hosted Open Qualifying events. Tournament Director, Edward Battye, said, “To have some of the finest courses in the North of England as regional final venues is a real coup and will certainly give entrants an extra incentive.”

In 2010 Battye, who is founder of the popular Golf Empire website, ran a similar event but just in Yorkshire and received over 300 entries. He explained, “The response to the Yorkshire event was absolutely fantastic and means that we are now able to roll it out across other counties in the North.”

To enter you must be a male golfer, aged 16 or over on 31st March 2011, with an active CONGU handicap held at a golf club affiliated to one of the above County Golf Unions. The entry-fee represents good value at just £15 per person or £25 per pair.

Those interested in entering should log on to www.northernmatchplay.co.uk for full details.

Davies Digs Deep at Final Event to Retain Order of Merit Title

Shane Davies retained his Gtour Order of Merit title after winning the last event of the 2010 season at De Vere Staverton Park.

Davies needed a first or second placed finish and hope that others around him failed to score well in order to retain his title.

Just like last year the Gtour season went to the final event and once again after being in second place for the majority of the season Davies clinched the top spot with a win on the final day.

“It’s fantastic, it’s what I set out to do at the start of the year but had no expectation of achieving it”, said Davies.

“I managed to pull some great golf out from somewhere today as I haven't been playing too well over the last few months, I was very pleased with 36 points with only a couple of bad holes. Overall I was delighted with my performance on the day.”

Tournament Director Colin Astbury said that the 2010 season couldn’t have gone better:

“Its been a fantastic season, and to top it off we were again blessed with good weather for the final and watched Shane (Davies) repeat his performance of 2009. Sitting in 2nd for the majority of the year just as he had in 2009 only to launch a late attack on the top spot right at the last event, Unbelievable! what a great year its been.”

After the event it was announced that the 2011 season is going to be named ‘The Race to Cyprus’ after one of the tours main sponsors Aphrodite Hills announced it will host the grand final in November next year.

Qualifying events throughout the year will culminate in a 2 day UK semi final in the Autumn of 2011. The top ten from the semi final will then compete to become the Gtour champion over 2 days hosted by Aphrodite Hill Resort Cyprus

“It’s fantastic news” said Astbury. “The obvious step for us was to take the Gtour abroad and we are very fortunate to have partnered with Aphrodite Hills and the Cypriot Tourist Office in 2011.”

Asked if the Tour could grow even more following this news, Astbury added: “The sky’s the limit.”

Final Event Scores: 1st - Shane Davies 36 points, 2nd - Ian Hirth 35 points,3rd - Pierre Featherbe 35 points,4th - Graham Miles 35 points,5th - Kamal Lakhan 33 points,6th - James Bishop 33 points

2010 Gtour Order of Merit Standings and Points: 1st - Shane Davies 16520 points,2nd - Andrew Lee 16125 point,3rd - Kevin King 16070 points,4th - Gary Walker 15810 points,5th - James Bishop 14125 points,6th - David Roth 13350 points

New Cotswolds Amateur Golf Tour Launched

A new amateur golf tour for golfers in the Cotswolds has just been launched!

The Golfing Days Cotswolds Tour is a series of golf competitions for male golfers of all standards who are seeking competitive golf at quality courses in the Cotswolds.

Six tournaments take place throughout the year at some of England's finest 'hidden gems' with prizes up for grabs at each event. There is also a season-long order of merit where the overall winner receives a luxury golf trip to Andalucia.

If you enter all six events at the same time you will receive a 15% discount. Or if you enter five events at the same time you will receive a 10% discount.

Order of merit points are accumulated from each event so the more tournaments you enter the better your chance of finishing the season as the Golfing Days champion golfer of the year!

There is a winner on the day for each of the competitions, which take the format of an Individual Stableford, plus a great prize table including nearest-the-pin and longest drive awards.

Every event is subject to a maximum handicap of 28 with competitions played off full and 3/4 handicap during the season.

What's more, if you take part in a Golfing Days event you will be greeted with bacon rolls, tea & coffee on arrival and a meal on completion of your round before the prize presentation.

The 2011 event can be seen below:

11/03/2011 The Oxfordshire Golf Club - £80 per person

06/05/2011 Studley Wood Golf Club - £60 per person

10/06/2011 The Vale Golf Club - £60 per person

15/07/2011 Southfield Golf Club - £60 per person

12/08/2011 Cotswold Hills Golf Club - £60 per person

30/09/2011 Studley Wood Golf Club - £60 per person

Seniors Open at Alder Root

Entries are now open for the Senior Pairs Open at Alder Root Golf Club.

To be played on Thursday 16th June 2011 this Gents Betterball Stableford competition is expected to fill up quickly as the entry-fee is just £18 per pair. A two's sweep is included and a prize table of over £500 is expected!

Entrants must be male golfers aged 55 or over with a maximum handicap of 24. A 3/4 handicap allowance will operate on the day.

Alder Root Golf Club is a parkland course in Cheshire. It boasts a tough par of 71 that will challenge any golfer regardless of ability.

Download an entry-form.

Bromborough 2011 Opens

As usual Bromborough Golf Club have a full programme of open events next year and they are now accepting applications via the Golf Empire website.

Bromborough truly is the Wirral's 'Parkland Jewel' and places in their open competitions are very much sought after, so don't delay if you wish to secure a place in one of them!

There are 8 tournaments including the prestigious Bromborough Bowl, a Northern Order of Merit qualifier for men with handicaps of 7 or below, to be played on Thursday 30th June.

A Senior Pairs Open (£36 per pair) will also be held in June whilst in May a 4-person Team Open (£72 per team) is scheduled for the Bank Holiday Monday. A second Senior Pairs Open will be played on Friday 2nd September whilst another Team Open will take place on Sunday 7th August.

A Ladies Team Open will be held on Wednesday 20th July and at £54 per team of three represents good value in this competition where the best two scores on each hole will count.

August is a busy month at the club that held the English Amateur Championship in 2005. Apart from the afore mentioned Team Open there is also a Junior Open (£15 per person) and a Pairs Open (£36 per pair).

Woolton Golf Club 2011 Opens

We've just added some new open golf competitions to our website in the county of Lancashire.

Woolton Golf Club are now taking entries for their 2011 open golf competitions.


The first event is a Seniors Team Open on Wednesday 18th May. Entry is £50 per team of four in this Stableford competition for golfers over the age of 55. Similar events are held later in the year on the 15th June and the 7th September, each of which fill up very quickly.

A Mixed Pairs Open is held the following month on Sunday 5th June. This Greensome Stableford competition is for couple with maximum handicaps of 24 (men) and 36 (ladies). The cost of entry is £25 per couple.

A Senior Pairs Open will take place on Friday 29th July. This is a 4BBB Stableford played off 3/4 handicap allowance and has an entry-fee of £25 per pair.

Ladies Team Open
The Ladies Team Stableford at Woolton Golf Club is one of the post popular and well supported in Lancashire.

In 2011 it takes place on Wednesday 17th August and will cost just £36 to enter a team of three (best 2 scores to count).

The event, played off 7/8 handicap allowance, is for lady golfers with a handicap no higher than 30.

Emotional Return To Heworth For Penny

Back in May, Morpeth's Mark Penny kickstarted his 2010 ZFL North East Masters campaign when he won his first 36 hole scratch event; the inaugural Keith Shivers Bowl at Heworth.

The popular Durham club, established in 1912, had dedicated the event in honour of the highly respected Keith who had tragically passed away the previous year.

In a nice touch, so typical of Heworth, the club invited Mark to their annual presentation night recently so that he could be specially presented with the trophy - a magnificent £750 Waterford crystal bowl paid for by donations from Keith's many friends.

Following an emotional speech from Club Secretary, Gordon Peters, Keith's mother Mary presented the bowl & was supported by Captain George Chambers. Former double Northumberland Champion Penny said, "I'm so proud to be the first winner of such a memorable trophy. It was really kind of Heworth to invite me back to receive it."

The 2010 ZFL North East Masters presentation is at Morpeth on November 20 when Mark will be officially crowned the Masters Champion.

It's been quite a year for Heworth. For the first time in the club's history, they won the 1st Division title in the North Durham Union of Golf Clubs, established in 1947. Meanwhile, English International Faye Sanderson, captained the English Girls team to success in the Home Internationals & then won the Durham County Mixed Foursomes Championship with partner, Terry McAllister.

2011 & 2012 will also be exciting years for Heworth. In May next year the club will be hosting the Durham County Championship and 2012 is Centenary year when the growing events calendar already includes the EGU's English Seniors County Finals in October.

CROWN GOLF DONATES £24,000 TO GOLF FOUNDATION

Crown Golf has sealed its largest ever commitment to junior golf development, with a £24,000 donation from its members to the Golf Foundation.

In asking its members to contribute £2 per person when renewing their annual membership, the award-winning golf club owner & operator joins the R&A, the PGA, The European Tour and The Ryder Cup as one of the most significant donors to the Golf Foundation, which is a charity committed to the sporting and social development of youngsters through golf.

Crown Golf, which owns or operates 29 facilities in the UK, is currently unique among the country’s major golf operators in encouraging its members to give to the Golf Foundation in this way.

This year’s contribution follows a prior Crown Golf donation, in 2007, of £14,000 to the charity.

Crown Golf CEO, Stephen Lewis, who handed the £24,000 cheque to Golf Foundation CEO Mike Round, said: “Crown Golf is fully committed to developing golf for all ages. The Golf Foundation runs some brilliant junior golf initiatives right across the country, and we’ll continue to strive to money for it in the future.

“I’d like to thank our members, who have consistently responded superbly to our suggestion that they donate to this popular golfing charity. All of us who work in golf should encourage as many children as possible to take up the game – it’s how you keep the sport alive.”

Through its ‘Golf Roots’ programmes, the Golf Foundation aims to reach one million children per year. Golf Roots helps children and young people to develop both playing and personal skills which will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Mike Round, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “We are delighted with the substantial donation that Crown Golf’s many thousands of members have made in 2010.

“Getting support from leading golf operators such as Crown Golf helps us to secure the future of the sport, and helps to fund our Golf Roots initiatives across the country.”

ST MELLION’S NEW HOTEL NETS SILVER AWARD

One of European golf’s most popular resorts, The St Mellion International Resort in Cornwall, has scooped its first major award since a £20m refurbishment in 2009.

In the 2010 Cornwall Tourism Awards presented by the Cornwall Development Company, St Mellion – the flagship of the Crown Golf group – won Silver in the prestigious ‘Large Hotel Of The Year’ category.

The ceremony took place at St Mellion International Resort itself, on Thursday October 7th 2010, when over 300 restaurateurs, hoteliers, and tourist industry leaders gathered in the resort’s St Mellion Suite at to hear the region’s most hotly-anticipated annual tourism awards.

St Mellion’s new 80-bedroom four-star hotel opened in the summer of 2009, with the world-famous Nicklaus Signature Course – rated as one of Great Britain & Ireland’s Top 100 golf courses by Golf World magazine – at its heart. The resort also opened its new-look Kernow Course in 2010, giving St Mellion members and guests 36 holes of tournament-quality golf alongside its many other facilities.

“We’re delighted and proud to have won this award so soon after opening our new hotel,” said Resort Director Stephen Towers. “The level of competition for this prestigious award is testament to the many excellent large hotels now in Cornwall. With quality and a culture of continual improvement central to what we do, our golf courses are known for being among the best in the region, and it is extremely satisfying that our hotel team has now also been recognised in this way.

“With another year under our belts at the next Awards, we have the Gold award in our sights for 2011!”

Stephen Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of St Mellion’s owners Crown Golf, said: “On behalf of Crown Golf, I am delighted that St Mellion International Resort has been the recipient, in its first full year of operation since its redevelopment, of the Cornwall Tourist Awards Silver Award.

“It is a tremendous credit to Stephen Towers, the Resort Director, and the whole team at St Mellion who demonstrate such a high level of commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism in delivering the customer experience.

“Launching a new hotel product as an independent multi-faceted resort produces many operational challenges which the team address with great passion and determination. I am very proud of their achievements and they should be justifiably proud of this industry recognition of their efforts.”

Photo above shows Stephen Towers and the St Mellion International Resort team receiving their Silver Award from TV celebrity Ben Fogle.

Penwortham Golf Club 2011 Open Events

We've just added more new open golf competitions to our website in the county of Lancashire. These events include five tournaments that will be taking place at Penwortham Golf Club next year. More details below.

The first event, the Penwortham Rose Bowl, will take place in May. More details about this prestigious tournament can be found below.

On Thursday 9th June the ever-popular Senior Pairs Open will be played. This 4BBB event has an entry-fee of just £25 per pair, which includes a 2's sweep and halfway refreshments.

The Penwortham Am-Am is scheduled for Sunday the 26th June with early bookings highly recommended. The cost of a 4-person team is great value at £60 as this includes a nearest-the-pin and 2's sweep. This event is open to men and women (in any combination) with the best 2 scores to count on all holes except the 18th where everybody must score!

The Junior Challenge Trophy will be held on Thursday 4th August and attracts golfers under the age of 21 from all over the North of England. Entry is £8 and players must have a handicap of 18 or less.

Finally, a Ladies Team Open will take place on Thursday 25th August. This competition usually fills up very quickly and at £50 per team of four it's easy to see why! There are prizes for the top three teams and a complimentary 2's sweep.

Penwortham Rose Bowl
The Rose Bowl is one of the highlights of the year at Penwortham Golf Club. It is a 36 Hole Individual Medal that is on the Northern Order of Merit schedule.

Open to male golfers with a handicap of six or less it will take place in 2011 on Sunday 29th May.
Entry is £18 per person and a form can be found here.

Come on Latics, says Craig

CRAIG Corrigan is hoping some of his recent success will rub off on his beloved Wigan Athletic.

The 41-year-old Haigh Hall teaching professional has supported the club through the good and bad times all his life.

And after losing 2-0 at Fulham at the weekend they found themselves hovering just above the Premier League relegation zone.

“We’re not having the best of starts to the season but I didn’t either because I’ve only just recovered my old form,” said Corrigan after winning the first of six events in the PGA North Region Mansell Finishes Winter Series at St Annes Old Links.

“But I don’t want Latics to leave it too late to find their feet,” he added after firing a seven-under-par 65.

Corrigan, whose caddy and clubmate Phil Dermott is a referee who also runs the line in the Npower League, got off to a flying start with birdies at the first and fourth holes then drained a 12-foot eagle putt at the fifth.

He picked up a hat-trick of birdies from the eighth before rolling in another at the 17th to win by a shot from Vale Royal Abbey assistant Paul Grannell.

“I hit it close to the pin all day and could have scored lower,” said Corrigan who blotted his card just once with a three-putt bogey at the third.

The seaside air clearly does him good – 10 days ago he won the Lancashire PGA Matchplay final at Royal Lytham and St Annes and was third in the De Vere North Region Championship at Blackpool’s Heron’s Reach at the end of September.

And he also warms to the winter schedule, having won five overseas pro-ams in six years this decade.

“I’m playing in all the Mansell events,” added Corrigan whose pro-am partner was sponsor Keith Heggarty.

DETAILS (par 72): 65 Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall); 66 Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey); 67 Will Barnes (Garstang Country Hotel), Darren Hopwood (Penwortham), David Shacklady (Mossock Hall), David Smith (Swinton Park), Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton); 68 Gareth Jones (Sandiway), Steve Parry (North West Golf Academy), Graham Cox (Davenport).

REMAINING FIXTURES: Nov 15 Formby; 22: Royal Liverpool. Feb 28: Royal Liverpool. March 7: Formby; 28 St Annes Old Links.

Autumn-Winter Golf Opens in Lancashire

We've just added two new open golf competitions to be played in Lancashire later this month.

Hart Common Golf Club

The first event is a Singles Stableford at Hart Common Golf Club.

This competition will take place on Tuesday 9th November and has an entry-fee of just £13 which includes coffee & a bacon roll on arrival.

An entry-form can be found here or you can make a booking by calling 01942 813195.

Accrington & District Golf Club

Accrington & District Golf Club have just announced that they will be holding an additional Pairs tournament on Thursday 25th November.

The format is 4BBB Stableford and the entry-fee of £15 per pair includes coffee & a bacon roll on arrival.

An entry-form can be found here.