Turton Golf Club win the Help for Heroes Lee Westwood Cup

Turton Golf Club Crowned the 2011 Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Champions!

The 2011 Volvo National Golf Club Challenge will be an event not to be forgotten for many years to come for the sixty golfers that qualified for the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge final at the stunning Turnberry Resort in Scotland.

After a well fought event, Turton Golf Club did enough to claim first place in the men's section – becoming the 2011 Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Champions. As well as winning a superb golfing holiday to Greece, courtesy of Starwood Hotels, Turton Golf Club was also presented with the prestigious 'Lee Westwood Cup', created and donated to Help for Heroes by Wedgwood, creators of the World Golf Championship trophies.

Held on the 25th and 26th of October, the final was sponsored by Your Golf Travel, Europe's fastest growing golf-travel company. The two day event brought together the four best men's and ladies teams from qualifying events held throughout the UK in June earlier this year.

The sixty finalists were treated to playing on the historic Ailsa course on both days, with the stunning Turnberry Resort as an awe inspiring back drop. The venue was outstanding, the weather was kind and the golf was challenging – but the finalists had a wonderful time with some excellent scores being returned.

Commenting on their win, Adam Bullough Turton Golf Club Captain said, "Turton Golf Club felt extremely privileged to have even reached the final of such a prestigious and worthy event so for us to then go on and win the Lee Westwood Cup makes us feel very proud indeed. This is by some distance the most significant golfing achievement in our clubs 103 year history."

Runners up in the men's section of the 2011 Volvo National Golf Club Challenge final, sponsored by Your Golf Travel were The Players Club, with Robin Hood GC coming in third place and Guildford GC in fourth.

The ladies section was won by The Nottinghamshire GCC, beating competition from Ladbrook Park GC (runners up), Broke Hill GC (third) and Diss GC (fourth). As ladies champions, The Nottinghamshire GCC will be treated to a luxurious golfing holiday to a top Tunisian golf resort, courtesy of the Tunisian Tourist Board.

Teri Hancox, event organiser from The Nottinghamshire GCC commented, "Not in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that we would qualify to go to Turnberry, let alone win it! We'll never forget the exceptional time that we had at Turnberry and the camaraderie of the competitors. What a reward for supporting a charity that is very close to my heart."

All the finalists were awarded enviable prizes, including golfing holidays courtesy of Sunset Beach Club, La Cala Golf Resort, Marriott Taba Heights and Taba Heights Golf Resort, to top of the range golf equipment from Motocaddy, Direct Golf UK, Titleist and Ping.

As if that wasn't enough, Emma Howie from The Nottinghamshire GCC, having topped the individual order of merit also wins a place at the Volvo World Golf Final at the Fancourt Golf Resort in South Africa. Where she will play alongside amateurs and pros alike in a once in a life time golfing experience, courtesy of National Golf Club Challenge sponsors, Volvo in Golf.

To top the event off, the presentation evening was attended by special guest speaker David Livingstone from Sky Sports. In speaking of his admiration and support for the challenge event and the Help for Heroes charity, David said "It’s heart warming to see how so many golfers up and down the UK have participated in the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge. It’s a tremendous opportunity to bring the Great British golfing community together in supporting such a worthy cause. Our Armed Forces deserve our help."

Aiming to build on its tremendous success as the UK's largest amateur charity golf event, the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge invites golf clubs throughout the UK to take part any day in June 2012 to help raise another substantial amount for the Help for Heroes charity. There is no fee for golf clubs to enter; all that is required is for each club to raise as much money as they can by holding their own charity golf day which also acts as a qualifying event. Golf clubs can enter the challenge charity golf competition at www.ngcc2012.com.

Fishwick Hall 2012 events...

Fishwick Hall Golf Club have just released details about three Centenary events to take place in 2012.

The first tournament will be played on Monday 30th April and is a Senior Pairs Open. This 4BBB Stableford (3/4 handicap) has an entry-fee of just £25 per pair and includes coffee on arrival.

A Mixed Pairs Open takes place on Sunday 29th July and costs only £20 per pair. This competition is also a 4BBB Stableford with maximum handicap limits of 28 (men) and 36 (ladies).

The final event is a Ladies Team Open on Sunday 9th September. It is a team of three competition with the best two scores to count except on the 5th, 11th and 15th holes when all scores count! There is a handicap limit of 32 and an entry-fee of £24 per team.

All three tournaments are expected to fill up quickly, therefore, those interested in entering should send off their entry-forms as soon as possible.

The golf club...

Ideally situated just two minutes from junction 31 on the M6 Motorway, Fishwick Hall Golf Club offers a challenging golf course suitable for players of all levels and ability.

The 18 hole course is set in parkland with magnificent views of the Ribble Valley, part wooded with tree lined fairways, water hazards and bounded by the River Ribble. The variation in holes makes it a challenging course.

Sunday Winter League Series at Portal

We would like to inform you about the new Sunday Winter League Series to be played at MacDonald Portal Championship golf course over the coming months.

The 9 Hole Stableford events will take place every other Sunday from 6th November and cost just £14 to enter. You can play in as many or as few as you like!

The series of competitions are open to men (max handicap 24) and ladies (max handicap 36) and are an ideal way to play some competitive golf over the winter.

Prizes will be awarded at each tournament plus there will be a grand prize for the league winner - a luxury golf break!

Entry-forms can be downloaded here.

The golf club...

Set in the heart of the rolling Cheshire countryside Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa has established itself as a distinctive world class golf venue.

The Championship course opened in 1990, was named 'Golf Course of the Year' in 1995, and is the star of Portal's golfing complex.

Designer Donald Steel has created a challenge that is characterised by unique and distinctive holes; expansive water hazards and cascading waterfalls are among the tests.

Adam is first man at Moortown

Adam Spolnik - Moortown Golf Day Winner

Adam Spolnik blew the field away at Moortown Golf Club in our annual golf day when he posted a splendid 37 points at the famous Ryder Cup venue in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Competitors were greeted with a perfect autumnal morning and a course is magnificent condition for the individual Stableford event.

Spolnik, a member at The Bradford Golf Club, carded 37 points. He scored 18 points on the front-nine thanks to nett birdies at the sixth, seventh and ninth to cancel out single pointers at the first, third and fifth. 

His back-nine of 19 points was more consistent with nett birdies at the 13th and 16th whilst his only blemish came at the 14th where he dropped a shot to par. His performance was rewarded with a £150 Marks & Spencer voucher.

Stuart Crolla

Spolnik's tally, in a competition played off three-quarter handicap, was three better than anyone else in the field with Blackpool North Shore's Stuart Crolla next best on 34 points. A double-bogey on the last spoilt what was otherwise an excellent round of golf with gross birdies coming at the first and 17th as he carded a 75 to claim the best gross prize.

The only other two players to break the 30 point mark were Mark Walker from Bishop Auckland, who won the runners-up prize, and Charles Turner from Howley Hall, who was the leading golfer aged 50 years or more. Walker also picked up the nearest-the-pin prize on the par-three 17th whilst Kwan Wong (Silloth on Solway) was the closest on the short 4th.

39 golfers took part in the competition with a photo gallery available to view online here - please feel free to join our Facebook group and tag yourself!

Scores:
Player, Golf Club, Hcp = Points
Adam Spolnik , Bradford , 12 = 37 points
Stuart Crolla , Blackpool North Shore , 3 = 34
Mark Walker , Bishop Auckland , 10 = 31
Charles Turner , Howley Hall , 6 = 31
Sean Sim , Brancepeth Castle , 7 = 28
Mick Whalley , Marsden Park , 8 = 28
John Taylor , Ashbourne , 9 = 28
Kamal Lakhani , Wokefield Park , 12 = 28
Mark Colley , Dewsbury District , 5 = 27
Dennis Chadwick Rayner , Garforth , 9 = 27
Andrew Yarrow , Knaresborough , 7 = 26
Matthew Whitehead , Bridlington Links , 6 = 25
Iain Clarkson , Skipton , 16 = 25
Andrew Povah , Wrexham , 9 = 25
Connor Millard , Normanton , 11 = 24
Gary Prentice , Dewsbury District , 4 = 23
Robert Poole , Silsden , 7 = 23
Doug Gordon , Huddersfield , 10 = 23
Tim Knowlson , Easingwold , 14 = 23
Mike Horsfall , Oulton Hall , 13 = 23
David Proudlove , Grimsby , 10 = 23
Stephen Greenwood , Ghyll , 6 = 22
Kwan Wong , Silloth on Solway , 3 = 22
Andrew Lincoln , Catterick , 10 = 22
Tony Greenhalgh , Horsforth , 4 = 22
John Prentice , Dewsbury District , 10 = 21
Richard Lamming , Low Laithes , 7 = 21
Gary Dunkley , Dewsbury District , 6 = 21
John Thompson , Prudhoe , 12 = 21
Alistair Steel , Grangemouth , 14 = 20
Stephen Manchester , Hart Common , 6 = 19
Alex Jerman , Wilmslow , 9 = 19
David Summerfield , Ineos , 12 = 18
Frank Wilson , Bridlington Links , 13 = 16
Paul Murray , Stamford , 19 = 15
Joe Lincoln , Catterick , 14 = 15
Steven Garbutt , Wilton , 12 = 13
Paul Johnson , Huddersfield , 4 = RET
Lee Shaw , Normanton , 11 = ?

'Ryder Cup' Revenge for Single Figure Golfers

Amateurs edge professionals in 2011 SingleFigureGolfer Challenge Cup at Trevose

A team of leading amateur golfers edged out former Ryder Cup and Walker Cup stars in a thrilling contest to reclaim the 2011 SingleFigureGolfer Challenge Cup in Cornwall.

The links course of Trevose hosted the 4th annual fixture on October 19th – 20th, where Walker Cup captain Peter McEvoy’s Team SFG played a team captained by former Ryder Cup vice-captain Peter Baker.

Baker took to the tee alongside fellow professionals including Paul Broadhurst, David Gilford, Paul Way, Steve Richardson and Gordon Brand Junior.

The amateur team had qualified throughout the season on the Single Figure Golfer Challenge Tour sponsored by Srixon. The final ten golfers had already emerged from the Qualifying School which was played over two days at the same venue on October 17th-18th.

Day One saw the amateurs make a flying start in the Fourballs, taking a 5-0 lead thanks to some insightful pairings from McEvoy. The lead was extended to seven points during the morning Foursomes on Day Two, meaning the McEvoy’s team needed just two points from the afternoon’s singles to secure victory.

However, with the expansive links greens becoming faster and the Championship Course playing its full distance, the professionals countered. Opening professionals Paul Broadhurst and Roger Chapman impressed as the clash went down to the penultimate game on the 17th green before the amateurs finally sealed a 10 ½ - 9 ½ victory.

Delighted Team SFG Captain Peter McEvoy said: “We knew that players of this calibre who have won at the highest level of the game and in similar situations would mount a fight back. Watching events unfold it is again so obvious that shots become more important the closer to the hole one gets.

“The pros know this and they have not forgotten it. They make considered, managed decisions on every shot, every hole and every round. Lessons to be learned for club players. Luckily for us, this year we managed to put enough clear water between us before the inevitable charge commenced.”

Peter Baker commenting on his teams valiant efforts said: “After my inaugural victory as captain last year I was delighted to lead the team this year in trying to retain the trophy.

“With the couple of new selections I made of players who are currently in fine form, such as Paul Broadhurst, I knew we would be hard to beat and even after the foursomes thought we had a chance on this course, in these conditions.

“This is not a pro-am, this is team golf with real pressure, and my players were hurting so I knew what they were capable of and we almost did it, but congratulations to Team SFG on their thoroughly deserved win.

“I feel this event is unique in the golfing world and one which gives the opportunity to good club golfers to compete in a competition which recognises their endeavors and rewards them with an experience they will never forget. Here’s to next year when I will seek to ensure we return better than ever, to reclaim the trophy.”

Previous SFG finals were played at Woodhall Spa, the Twenty Ten course at Celtic Manor, and Trevose last year. After the success of the 2010 tournament, the testing return to links golf was chosen for 2011.

Once again the course could not have been in better condition and with the superb facilities offered, it was a fitting venue to host the final. Owner Nick Gammon commented: “We were honored to be asked to host the final again and are delighted that so many great players have played and most importantly enjoyed the course this week”

For more information visit www.singlefiguregolfer.co.uk

One tee-time left at Moortown tomorrow

We have one tee-time still available for our annual golf day at Moortown Golf Club tomorrow (Friday 28th October 2011).

The format for the competition is an Individual Stableford with an entry-fee of £50. There are gross and nett prizes plus a prize for the best score by a golfer aged 50+ years.

The time is at 10.30am and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

To take the time please enter & pay here: http://www.golfempire.co.uk/moortown-golf-day.htm

Ladies Open at Gatley

Entries have just opened for the 2012 Ladies Team Open at Gatley Golf Club.

This event always attracts a strong field, therefore, in order to secure a place we suggest entering as soon as possible.

In 2012 the competition will take place on Friday 11th May.

The cost of entry is just £30 per team of three. The format is 3-Ball Am-Am Stableford with no handicap limit. There will be no formal presentation as winners will be notified by post or email.

The golf club...

Situated some 3 miles from Manchester Airport Gatley Golf Club is well known for its friendly atmosphere.

It boasts a challenging nine-hole course where visitors are made most welcome. Within the clubhouse there is a modern bar and excellent catering is provided by the resident stewardess and her staff.

2011 HPGA French Pro-Am

Former Cams Hall assistant Justin Sandler (Gerrards Cross) and his team of Jerry Billins, Ron Marsh and Steve Keating won the Hampshire PGA's French Pro-Am, played at Omaha Beach Golf Club in Normandy.

Sandler's team amassed 235 points in the 54 hole tournament to take victory by a single point from Mark Treleaven (Hayling) and his team of Paul Lucas, Mark Ward and Mark Rogers.

Third place went to Richard Lewington's team, the defending champions from 2010, in the tournament that was played at the immaculate 36 hole complex near Port-en-Bessin.

Treleaven, Adam Harnett (Worldham Park) and Shaun Hall (Botley Park) shared the individual professional honours.

The Hampshire PGA travels to Spain in early February 2012 for its 22nd Overseas Pro-Am.

Ladies Open at Rufford Park

Entries have just opened for the 2012 Ladies Pairs Open at Rufford Park Golf & Country Club.

This popular event always becomes full very quickly so early entries are strongly advised if you would like to secure a place.

In 2012 the competition will take place on Thursday 26th April.

The cost of entry is just £40 per pair, which includes a buffet meal. The format is 4-Ball Betterball Stableford off a 3/4 handicap allowance (max 36).

The golf course...

The 6368 yard, par 70 golf course at Rufford Park is set in over 200 acres of beautiful parkland and woodland making it one of the most memorable in Nottinghamshire.

In addition to the course they also have excellent practice facilities including a 16 bay floodlit driving range.

Crowder quick of the mark in winter series

CHRIS Crowder called the shots in the first of six Mansell Finishes Winter Series pro-ams with a superb nine-under-par 63 at St Annes Old Links.

The Lee Park professional started his round at the 10th and reeled off a trio of birdies by the turn.

Then he stepped up a gear with four more on his outward half plus an eagle at the sixth.

Despite a strong wind, the scoring was low with Andrew Barnett, from North Wales Driving Range, finishing a shot back but two ahead of joint third, Didsbury assistant Tom Murray and Freddy Valenti, from Priors Hayes.

DETAILS (Par 72): 63 Chris Crowder (Lee Park); 64 Andrew Barnett (North Wales DR); 66 Freddy Valenti (Priors Hayes), Tom Murray (Didsbury); 67 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall), Alan Crompton (Haigh Hall).

Taylor’s a six hit as he wins Lancs title again

BARRY Taylor captured the Lancashire PGA Matchplay Championship for an unprecedented sixth time in seven seasons at Royal Lytham and St Annes but not without a fight.

It was nip and tuck all the way with the 33-year-old Houghwood teaching professional eventually overcoming Manchester Hopwood assistant Matthew Hough 2&1.

And six proved a magic number twice over for Taylor because that’s how many occasions he has claimed the county’s Order of Merit.

“I knew I could not afford to make many mistakes because Matthew was really up for this. I drove and putted well and the fact that I was never more than one hole ahead showed how close the match was,” he said.

Hough, 26, who has just completed his three-year PGA training, was quickest out of the blocks, a par at the second putting him into the lead.

Taylor, a member of the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup side beaten by the United States at Loch Lomond resort The Carrick two years ago, reached the turn one up before bogeying the 10th to hand Hough a lifeline.

The pair were deadlocked until the 14th, where Hough dropped a shot then conceded the 17th after miss-hitting his approach.

Earlier, Taylor eased to a 3&1 semi-final win over Haigh Hall’s Martin Longshaw while Hough beat Bolton Old Links assistant Mark Hancock on the home green.

It’s been another successful season for Taylor who has racked up 10 assorted wins and finished seventh in the PGA North Region Order of Merit.

“This was the biggest one,” he stressed, revealing that he planned to play EuroPro Tour next season then try for his European Tour card in 2013 after 10 fruitless attempts to qualify in 12 years.

Meanwhile, he also enjoys coaching and derives much satisfaction from teaching brain injury victims at the Transitional Rehabilitation Unit at Haydock.

Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Final at Turnberry

The Volvo NGCC is very pleased to announce the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Grand Final, sponsored by YourGolfTravel.com, and hosted by Turnberry.

• DATE: Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th October 2011
• TIME: All day.
• VENUE: The Turnberry Resort
• LOCATION: Maidens Road, Turnberry, KA26 9LT, Scotland

The Volvo National Golf Club Challenge team will be pleased to welcome qualified media to the 2011 Help for Heroes Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Grand Final.

The two-day event, to be held on the 25th and 26th of October 2011 will bring together the top four men’s teams and top 4 ladies teams from qualifying events across the UK - to compete for the right to call themselves the ‘2011 Help for Heroes Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Champions’.

Thousands of golfers, from golf clubs around the UK have competed in the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge. Each club hosted their own Help for Heroes charity fundraiser in June, while at the same time competing against each other to win the right to attend the final to compete for some fantastic golf prizes, and to be crowned Champions.

The two day grand final is being sponsored by Your Golf Travel.com, Europe’s fastest growing golf-travel company. Your Golf Travel.com have been a key sponsor for the Volvo NGCC, seeing it as a great way to bring the Great British golfing community together to hold hundreds of charity golf days in support of the Help for Heroes charity.

The Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Finalists (Men’s Section)

The following four golf clubs will send the ten best golfers from their event to play in men’s section of the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge final at Turnberry.

• The Player’s Club
• Guildford Golf Club
• Turton Golf Club
• Robin Hood Golf Club

The Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Finalists (Ladies Section)

The following four golf clubs will send the five best lady golfers from their event to play in the ladies section of the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge final at Turnberry.

• The Nottinghamshire GCC
• Ladbrook Park Golf Club
• Diss Golf Club
• Broke Hill Golf Club

Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Prizes

Each team will win an outstanding prize, from unbeatable golfing holidays courtesy of Starwood Hotels, Sunset Beach Club, La Cala Golf Resort, the Tunisian Tourist Board, Marriott Taba Heights and Taba Heights Golf Resort, to first class golf equipment and accessories from Motocaddy, Direct Golf UK, Titleist and Ping.

The Lee Westwood Cup

Both the men’s and ladies champions will also be presented with the stunning Lee Westwood Cup. Commissioned and donated by Wedgwood for Help for Heroes to use in conjunction with the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge. Wedgwood is no stranger to producing prestigious golf trophies, having created the amazing World Golf Championship trophies.

Amazing Opportunity For the Top Scoring Finalist

The leading individual player in the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Final will qualify to play in the Volvo World Final in January 2012 at Fancourt, South Africa. The final’s leading player will be joining other amateurs from around the world who have qualified for the Volvo World Final which provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to play alongside European Tour professionals in tournament conditions.

For more information on the 2011 Volvo National Golf Club Challenge final please go to www.ngcc2011.com.

Final call for Yorkshire winter pairs

Entries for the 2011-12 Yorkshire Matchplay Winter Pairs knockout close at noon on Friday 21st October, so if you want to play in this off-season event you have less than 48 hours to sign-up!

The competition has an entry-fee of just £15 per pair and with EIGHT pairs making it through to Huddersfield Golf Club next March you only need to win a maximum of FOUR games to reach finals day!

You can enter online here if you want to take part.

Summary:

• Open to male members of a club affiliated to the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs
• Only £15 per pair to enter
• Win a maximum of FOUR matches to reach finals day
• Early rounds played on a regional basis to minimise travelling
• EIGHT pairs make finals day at Huddersfield Golf Club in March 2012
• Brunch, golf & dinner included at finals day
• Excellent prize fund

Jones puts his back into it to land Cheshire title

THE old adage “Beware the injured golfer” rang true as Michael Jones won the Bathgate Cheshire & North Wales Matchplay Championship at Wilmslow.

After finally shrugging off dogged resistance from Hawarden professional Alex Rowland, the 27-year-old Carden Park assistant revealed that he’d been struggling with a back problem for the past three months.

“I’ve been receiving treatment from a muscle imbalance and I probably won’t play again for a few more weeks to ensure I don’t do any more damage,” he said.

Jones admitted that he felt no ill-effects as he first eclipsed former winner Tim Maxwell, the Knutsford professional, 4&3 in the semi-finals then dispatched Rowland 2&1.

“I was pleased with both my performances because I’ve only played seven times since early August,” he said.

“That was also the number of events I competed in on the EuroPro Tour this season but I missed every cut so I’m hoping this victory will change my fortunes next year.”

Jones, who also retained the Skycaddie PGA North Region Assistants’ Championship at Ilkley earlier in the campaign, added that his confidence had received a further boost after consulting putting guru Phil Kenyon.

And it showed as his skill on the greens helped to keep Rowland in check as he powered to a three holes lead after four.

“The secret is to make all the crucial putts,” he said.

Pity Rowland, who beat Sandiway’s Gareth Jones by one hole in the semis, didn’t heed that advice – he took three to get down at the short ninth after reducing the deficit to one and despite boxing a bunker shot for a winning birdie at the 16th, it was all over at the next.

Sandbach-based Bathgate, who supply sand to some of the world’s top courses, also sponsored the Cheshire and North Wales Open at Mobberley last month.

Moortown golf day on Friday 28th October 2011

There are just a handful of tee-times left in our annual golf day at Moortown Golf Club on Friday 28th October 2011.

39 golfers are currently signed-up to play and we have room for just half a dozen more in the Individual Stableford event that is open to all.

There is room for a three-ball at 9.20am whilst there are single slots at 9.30am, 10.30am and 11.00am.

Prizes will be awarded for the leading nett scores, the lowest gross round and the best nett score by a golfer aged 50+ years.

More details and online entry can be found here.

Whitefield Golf Club and Golf Authority buck the trend.

In the worst economic conditions for many years, Whitefield Golf Club is delighted to report that this will be one the best financial years in their history with a record number of visitors and a large influx of new members.

A major flood has recently forced part of the clubhouse to be temporarily closed, but during this time the restaurant / bar and locker rooms have remained open. The refurbished clubhouse will be fully functional on 1st November. The course and Pro Shop have been unaffected and have been open for business throughout.

Whitefield Golf Club was established in 1932, and is one of the best and most challenging courses in the local area. Green fees during October are £15 during the week and £20 at weekend. Visit www.whitefieldgolfclub.com for more information or details of fantastic membership deals.

In early 2011, Whitefield Golf Club announced an exclusive retail and tuition partnership with new golf retail business, Golf Authority.

Keith Robinson, Chief Executive of Golf Authority commented “We are delighted to be partnered with Whitefield during our first season in business, and have seen amazing numbers through the Pro Shop given the desperate economic climate. Personally, I look forward to working with WGC for many years to come, and building on the success of 2011.”

Golf Authority operates retail and tuition for Golf Clubs, and is currently looking to expand operations in the North West. Any Golf Club, but especially those currently without a Shop or Professional, should contact Keith Robinson directly for an innovative business solution.

Help for Heroes acknowledge UK's biggest amateur charity golf event

Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Receives Help for Heroes Award!

The National Golf Club Challenge, sponsored by Volvo, are very pleased to have been recognised at a recent Help for Heroes awards evening. The awards dinner was hosted by Help for Heroes founders Bryn and Emma Parry with the purpose of recognising fundraising projects that have given outstanding support to the Help for Heroes charity.

In receiving the Hero Award, the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Event Director Stacey Jeffries commented, "It's wonderful that the challenge won an award but as I stated on the night, it is dedicated to all the golfers and clubs that have supported our events. I'm just a guy that loves golf and is passionate about helping our injured troops; the real credit goes to all the fundraisers, golfers, supporters and sponsors that continue to make the challenge a wonderful success."

The stirring awards evening was held at Tedworth House which is being converted using Help for Heroes funds to become a major rehabilitation centre with state of the art equipment and facilities.

Commenting on the National Golf Club Challenge's success, Bryn Parry OBE, CEO and Help for Heroes Co-Founder said, "Everyone at Help for Heroes (H4H) is thankful for The National Golf Club Challenge's achievements over the last two years. You, as golfers, have made a significant difference to the lives of our wounded Heroes and Help for Heroes thank you for your support and dedication."

Looking to the future, Bryn continued "The Road to Recovery is a very long and hard path, these are young men and women today but they will grow old. We at H4H want to ensure that when the current level of public support has passed, as it inevitably will, they are not forgotten; they deserve the best and we are doing our best to get it."

"So, I encourage Golf Clubs and Golfers across the nation" Bryn concludes "to take up the challenge in June 2012 to make next year's event the most successful yet. Your support has been invaluable and we couldn't have done it without you. Thank you; we are truly grateful."

The final speech of the inspiring awards evening was given by Major Peter Norton, who was very severely injured by a buried victim-operated IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Despite horrendous injuries Peter remained conscious, lucid and acutely aware of further devices that he suspected might be in the area that could cause danger to his team, refusing to be evacuated until he was satisfied that his instructions were understood prevented further injury and loss of life.

Major Norton eloquently thanked all those receiving the Hero Awards for their contribution to Help for Heroes having experienced first-hand the good work the charity does. This received a standing ovation with everyone in attendance expressing in no uncertain terms that he and his colleagues are the real heroes.

For more information on the 2012 Volvo National Golf Club Challenge please go to www.volvongcc.co.uk.

Barnes wins Lawrence Clarke Order of Merit

Ampfield's Jon Barnes has won the Lawrence Clarke sponsored Hampshire PGA Order of Merit for 2011. It is the 8th time that Barnes has won the Order of Merit title since 1996.

Barnes finished the Hampshire PGA season over 40 points ahead of Andrew Cloke (Corhampton) with Rob Gowers (South Winchester) in third place.

Barnes only won two events in the 2011 season (Paultons Golf Centre Pro-Am & HA Fox Alresford GC Pro-Am) but he was the model of consistency with a whole host of top six finishes.

Cloke won three times and other triple winners included Richard Adams (South Winchester), David Porter (Wellow), Kevin Saunders (Brokenhurst Manor), Mark Treleaven (Hayling) and Roger Tuddenham (Hedge End Golf Centre).

Two timers included Martin Adams (Swanmore Golf Centre), Gowers, Shaun Hall (Botley Park) and Chris Hudson (Southwood).

Lawrence Clarke will be sponsoring the Order of Merit again in 2012.

Final 2011 standings

Jon Barnes (Ampfield) 452.03

Andrew Cloke (Corhampton) 410.35

Rob Gowers (S Winchester) 396.13

Gary Stubbington (Hockley) 353.55

Kevin Saunders (Brokenhurst Manor) 339.37

Mark Treleaven (Hayling) 335.37

McGlynn targets England spot

STEVEN McGlynn is hoping that his victory in the Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit won’t have gone unnoticed by the England selectors.

“Representing for my country is my next target,” said the 23-year-old Lancashire player who finished 120 points clear to claim one of the region’s most coveted amateur titles.

“After that I’ll aim for a Walker Cup place,” he vowed.

But if he doesn’t reach such a lofty height, his dream of turning professional could be in jeopardy.

McGlynn saw his former county team-mates Tommy Fleetwood and Jack Senior join the paid ranks after competing for GB&I in the biennial showdown against the United States.

“I played with them several times and they were my role models,” he said.

With refreshing honesty, the plus three ranked Blackburn member admitted: “I don’t believe I would make it on the tournament scene without playing at that level.”

He could, of course, ultimately change his mind but McGlynn is very much a realist who knows what it takes to get into the big-time.

“A lot of youngsters sign up as professionals when they’re not ready and that’s just throwing money away but I still want to make a living from the game even it means qualifying as a teacher,” he said, revealing that he might never have got started but for a coach at a driving range near his Rishton home.

“He spotted I had potential and gave me a few lessons,” he recalled, although with his mum Nicola, nee Smith, a former Lancashire player and his dad Mark and grandma Joyce also devotees of the game he was always going to follow in their spikemarks.

McGlynn, who studied sport for three years at Indian Hill Community College in Iowa, started the season on scratch but earned a plus three ranking with several high finishes including second in the Lee Westwood, Trophy and third in the North of England Youths.

“I’ve been told to play in more national tournaments next year, including the Lytham Trophy, if I want to get into the England squad but as a full-time amateur I have to watch the finances,” he added.

He concedes getting the rub of the green when he clinched the Order of Merit, the biggest in Europe with several events counting for amateur World Ranking status, because he won the final fixture, the Pendle Witch at Clitheroe, by a massive nine shots without worrying about the two remaining challengers.

Title-holder Mark Young, from Longridge, and Hillside’s Richie Blundell were playing for the six-man Lancashire team beaten in the English County Finals at Ganton.

Ironically, McGlynn was the non-travelling reserve for that match but he observed: “I missed some events they played in so that’s the way I look at it.”

Golfshake Can Get Your Game on Track to a Lower Handicap

Golfshake has recently released more in-depth information for amateur golfers to track their game as they continue to lead the way in golf score tracking and game improvement.

The improved game improvement functionality will now provide golfers more than just their golf handicap but their handicap across the whole game identified from their strengths and weaknesses.

The Golfshake score tracker system has led the way for online score tracking over the last 10 years providing the most comprehensive system for game analysis and presently provides over 30 in-depth game reports and analyses stats on over 50 categories.

Analysis of 100,000’s of rounds provides an insight into how the average golfer plays the game and more importantly improves. This data provides the benchmark for the new functionality allowing targets to be set in pursuit of a lower golf handicap.

Building on the existing system the exciting updates will now show a golfer how their game stacks up based on their handicap and the benchmarks set. The 14 key game improvement stats are tracked across the whole game from the stats entered and focus on: off the tee, approach, around the green and putting, ultimately providing strengths & weaknesses which can be used to focus on game improvement.

Furthermore the system can be updated to allow golfer to set their own targets or working with their PGA Pro or golf coach they can also set targets and provide feedback.

For more information visit: http://glfs.hk/game-on-track

Let the stats do the talking

Golfshake's research shows that tracking your game online is a great way to monitor your performance and lower your handicap, however it’s not just the amateurs that do it as the professionals on tour also look at where they need to improve.

When Golfshake analysed the data they found on average players tracking their scores saved three shots throughout the year.

Part of this is down to regular games, over 50% of members played at least 1-2 times per month, practice and most importantly have the desire to improve and lower their golf handicap. Tracking scores is a key feature and by doing this those tracking are able to monitor their progress and set themselves targets.

For sure the stats can be subjective and maybe you feel that greens are more important to hit then the fairways but everyone is different.

Whilst it's important to get off the tee and hit the fairway, 21+ handicappers average a respectable 60% of Fairways in Regulation compared to a very close 70% for 15-20 handicappers. The more important statistics to help the higher handicapper is Greens in Regulation where those stats change drastically to 28% and 56% for the 21+ and 15-20 ranges respectively.

The Golfshake averages show that high handicappers three-putt 20% of the time, that's almost one every four holes, compared to 10-14 handicappers only doing it once every other round.

Ruling out the three-putts will serve all golfers well in reducing the shots per round and more importantly the handicap but to truly reduce your handicap and get down to the elusive single figures then averaging 31 putts or less is the benchmark for single figure golfer and 29 for those below five. On the Pro tours the worse putters only just creep above 30 putts with the best at around 27 putts per round.

Once you have added a round plus your on-course stats you can then sit back and view your golf in glorious colour through a multitude of easy to use reports and charts that help you unravel the intricacies of your game and spot exactly where you are dropping those shots.

Golfshake has proved over the decade of tracking scores that it really does work if you’re serious about wanting your handicap to drop.

So what are you waiting for? Record your scores and improve your game.

Two tie at South Winchester

Gary Stubbington (Hockley) and Jon Le Roux (Oris Medical) shared victory in the last tournament of the Hampshire PGA’s Order of Merit season at South Winchester on Friday (7/10).

Both shot four-under-par rounds of 68 on a blustery day at South Winchester. Le Roux was only playing in the Tournament as an 11th hour replacement and made the most of his opportunity.

Michael Lord (Meon Valley) won the pro-am with his South Winchester team of Steve McCallum, Steve Witczak and Brendan Friel. Second place went to Rob Gowers, Paul Kille, Paul Neilson and Steve Lyons (130).

The South Winchester GC Pro-Am marked the end of the 2011 Lawrence Clarke Order of Merit season. Ampfield’s Jon Barnes won the OM title for a record breaking 8th time.

Leading Professional scores:

Gary Stubbington (Hockley) 68

Jon Le Roux (Oris Medical) 68

Michael Lord (Meon Valley) 70

Jon Barnes (Ampfield) 71

Nick Redfern (Julius Baer) 71

Rob Gowers (South Winchester) 73

Leading Pro-Am Team scores:

Michael Lord, Steve McCallum, Steve Witczak & Brendan Friel 128

Rob Gowers, Paul Kille, Paul Neilson & Steve Lyons 130

Jon Le Roux, Lynton Jupe, Darren Jupe & David Crowther 131

Ben Stanbrough, Alan Wilson, Steve Prince & Stan Matthews 134

Busby wins to banish 2010 heartbreak memories

JAMES Busby has booked his place on next season’s Challenge Tour after winning the biggest event of the 2011 PGA EuroPro Tour season.

Busby, who had finished second at three competitions this year, claimed victory when it mattered most as he triumphed in the 888poker.com Tour Championships at the Intercontinental Mar Menor Golf Resort in Murcia, Spain.

He led by one shot at the start of the final day but eventually won on the third extra hole of a play-off as he edged out George Cowan after the pair had finished on -14 after three rounds.

Busby, 29, pocketed £15,000 for the win and secured his place in the top five in the Order of Merit to advance to the higher tier and be only one step away from playing alongside Europe’s elite.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said a delighted Busby (The Shropshire). “It was a place in the top five that I was after but the victory was a bonus on top of that.

“The last three years have been tough as I’ve put myself in position for the top five and last year I missed out by one place, which was terrible. I didn’t perform in the Tour Championships last year and that was in the back of mind but this year I’ve finished the job.

“I’ve put in the practice and knew the course so I knew what shots to practice on.

“I’ve played a couple of Challenge Tour events and finished 11th at an event at Stoke-by-Nayland - there is not much difference in the standard between the Challenge Tour and the EuroPro.

“My ambition has been this and beyond and I want to be on the main tour and be well known as a good golfer so hopefully I can get from the Challenge Tour to the main tour. I don’t know where my career can lead to now and there’s a good living to be made.”

Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall) and Graeme Clark (Doncaster) had already secured their places on next year’s Challenge Tour and were joined by Luke Goddard (Hendon), Busby and Jamie Abbott (Fynn Valley).

But there was heartbreak for a number of players including Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey), Paul Reed (Bristol and Clifton), Cowan (Westerhope) and Darryn Lloyd, who narrowly missed out on a top five place.

The tour did not end well for all players as Zane Scotland ended the campaign heading to hospital after an injury sustained by the hotel pool.

“I broke something in my foot or toe. It’s really painful and hospital later,” tweeted Scotland.

All of the event action has been filmed and Matchroom Sport will produce a highlights programme, which will be broadcast on Sky Sports on Wednesday, October 26.

Busby one round away from Challenge Tour

JAMES Busby is one good round away from qualifying to play on next season’s Challenge Tour.

Busby (The Shropshire) holds a one-shot lead going into the final day of the last event of the 2011 PGA EuroPro Tour season – the 888poker.com Tour Championships.

The top five players in the Order of Merit at the conclusion of this tournament will advance to the second tier of golf and Busby is currently fifth in the money list.

However, he is on the verge of claiming the £15,000 top prize that would guarantee his Challenge Tour card in style.

The event features only those in the top 60 of the money list and is being staged at the prestigious Intercontinental Mar Menor Golf Resort in Murcia, Spain.

Busby began the second round two shots behind overnight leader Steve Uzzell (Hornsea Golf Club) but jumped to the top with a round of -6 (65).

His effort included back-to-back birdies at the first and second, the sixth and seventh and the 13th and 14th.

South African Darryn Lloyd sits in second place after also shooting -6 with a round that included three successive birdies from the sixth to the eighth.

The best score of day two came Paul Reed (Bristol and Clifton Golf Club) as he enjoyed a flawless round that included eight birdies in his effort of -8 (63).

Reed is tied third with Scotland’s Duncan Stewart, who are both on -10 for the tournament, two behind Busby.

Five players – Jamie Abbott (Fynn Valley), George Cowan (Westerhope), Chris Kelly (Cawder) and Uzzell are two shots further back on -8.

All of the action is being filmed for television and Matchroom Sport will produce a highlights package, which will be broadcast on Sky Sports on Wednesday, October 19.

Luke Goddard (Hendon), who is currently third in the Order of Merit, is in grave danger of missing out on a top five Order of Merit spot as he is back in tied 43rd with one round left.

All of the players will play the final round – the last of the season – on Friday, October 7.

For more information about the Tour, visit www.europrotour.com.

Mark Foster Gets Behind the National Challenge Charity Event

The entertaining and hugely popular European Tour star Mark Foster has joined Lee Westwood, Paul Casey and Sam Torrance as patron to the National Golf Club Challenge.

One of the most consistent players on the tour, Mark is pleased to add his support in order to encourage clubs all over the UK to take part in the national charity golf event.

“The National Golf Club Challenge is a simple way for every golfer in the country to give a little of their time to support our troops and their loved ones. Please get your friends and golf clubs involved.”

Find out more.

Awesome Uzzell On Top

Steve Uzzell fired a glorious round of 63 to take a one shot lead on the first day of the 888poker.com Tour Championship at the Mar Menor Golf Resort in Murcia, Spain.

The Hornsea-based player birdied the first two holes and stood two under par at the turn, then compiled a blisterting inward nine of 29, with birdies at the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th, to finish eight under.

It's the final event of the 2011 PGA EuroPro Tour season, with the top five on the final money list to land a coveted place on next season's Challenge Tour. Chris Hanson and Graeme Clark are the only players guaranteed to finish among the top five, so there are three places up for grabs this week.

From the Challenge Tour, it's just one step up to the European Tour and the chance to compete for millions of pounds against the world's best players. Last weekend, former EuroPro Tour player Michael Hoey took the 588,000 Euro first prize by holding off Rory McIlroy and co at the Dunhill Links Championship, and all of those in action in Spain this week dream of following his example.

In second place at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Mar Menor is Adam Hodkinson, who had one bogey and eight brdies, including four in a row from the 13th, to finish seven under.

Five players are tied on six under: Steve Surry, Billy Hemstock, James Maw, James Busby and Jason Levermore. Busby, who has finished second in three events this season, lies fifth on the money list so just needs to hold his position to secure promotion. He had seven birdies today, his only blemish a bogey at the 15th.

Round two is on Thursday, and there is no cut before the final round on Friday.

Day one leaderboard

1 Steve Uzzell (Hornsea Golf Club) -8 (63)

2 Adam Hodkinson (GRI Group) 7 (64)

T3 Steve Surry (Cumberwell Park) -6 (65)

T3 Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth) -6 (65)

T3 James Maw (Hallowes Golf Club) -6 (65)

T3 Jason Levermore (Clacton) -6 (65)

T3 James Busby (The Shropshire) -6 (65)

T8 Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw golf club) -5 (66)

T8 Darryn Lloyd (Acrabuild Ltd/W.Ash & Sons) -5 (66)

T10 Chris Kelly (Cawder Golf Club) -4 (67)

T10 George Cowan (Westerhope Golf Club) -4 (67)

T10 Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) -4 (67)

Free golf at Oulton Hall until the end of the year

We have teamed up with De Vere Oulton Hall to offer you 12 months golf membership for just £295.

What's more if you quote "Golf Empire" when you join they will give you FREE golf until the end of 2011!

To join or for more information please contact Paul on 0113 2821000 or by email Paul.Buchanan@devere-hotels.com.

About De Vere Oulton Hall Golf Club

Oulton Hall is a truly impressive Dave Thomas designed, 27 hole golf complex. It boasts the North of England's leading Golf performance centre and is a must for golf aficionados. This is golf at its best.

Oulton Hall has everything you need to have the game of your life. Along with the state-of-the-art golf Academy, Oulton Hall offers a range of other facilities, including buggy hire for navigating across the beautiful course grounds, a practice range for perfecting your putting, and the Claret Jug course restaurant for re-energising after a long day.

* Golf Academy - Our Academy, staffed by four PGA teaching professionals, offers fantastic practice and coaching facilities for novices and experienced players alike.

* Buggy Hire - GPS Buggies are available for hire (weather permitting)

* Practice Range - The driving range has 18 covered and floodlit bays to practice rain or shine, day or night. There are also chipping and putting facilities.

* 19th Hole - The Claret Jug is the venue to relive your triumphs on the course. It serves simple modern food with an emphasis on the freshest local produce to refuel and treat you after your round.

Danny’s the boy in Isle of Man!

DANNY Wardrop claimed his maiden PGA North Region title when he won the Pokerstars Manx Classic at Ramsey.

And he’s hoping it will serve as a springboard to the European Tour which has been his burning ambition since he turned professional eight years ago.

The Didsbury-attached journey man experienced the occasional flirtation with the big time but finishing 25th in the 2009 Australian Open has been his only high point so far.

“I failed to make a cut in the handful of events I’ve played in since but I won’t give up trying to win my card,” said Wardrop who has already cleared the Tour School second hurdle.

He picked up his biggest cheque of the year, £2,500, at Ramsey where he beat his co-overnight leader David Wilcock by a shot after the second round and final round was reduced to nine holes because of fog.

The former England amateur international covered the loop in 34 strokes, thanks to a brace of early birdies, to add to his opening 68 for a three-under-par total.

Wardrop, who missed the early part of the year after undergoing an operation on a big toe, lost his Challenge Tour ranking last season and is determined to win it back this winter.

“I’ve been playing on the Europro Tour but I feel ready to step up to the next level again. It’s difficult making ends meet and I would struggle to survive without sponsorship but I won’t give up my dream.

“I will stop believing in myself when I accept I’m not good enough. Then I might consider the option of going for my PGA qualification and taking the club professional route.

“I regret not having done it earlier but when you’re young you always believe you could become the next Tiger Woods.”

Gathurst assistant Wilcock was left to rue the missed chances as he reeled off nine straight pars.

“I was nervous early in the round because I knew I was in with a chance of my first North Region success but when I settled down I had no luck on the greens with several birdie attempts shaving the hole.

“But this performance will give me a lot of incentive for next season,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aran Wainwright, from Mid Yorks Golf Club, clinched the North Region Order of Merit by 1.5 points from Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady.

LEADING SCORES: 102 Danny Wardrop (Didsbury) 68 34; 103 David Wilcock (Gathurst) 68 35; 104 Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorks) 70 34; 105 Jonathan Cheetham (unatt) 75 30, Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton) 70 35; 107 Daniel Haughian (Golf Works) 73 74, Chris Crowder (Lee Park); 108 Rory Walsh (Ashton-on-Mersey 78 30, Michael Brooks (Malton & Norton) 74 34, Richard Bean (Wychwood Park 73 35, Barry Taylor (Houghwood) 72 36, David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 71 37

Autumn & winter open golf competitions

October usually signals the end of the main golfing season, it's certainly when the number of open golf competitions available to enter reduces significantly.

However, a few weeks ago we asked all the golf clubs in the UK to send us details of any autumn/winter events they are holding and these are now listed throughout our website. We are also starting to see 2012 golf tournaments filter through.

Below are a few of our top choices.

Pick of the bunch:

Probably the best deal we have come across is the Fixby Winter Series at Huddersfield Golf Club in West Yorkshire. There are four 3-person team events held between October & March, which at just £25 per person (including lunch) is an excellent offer. And that's not to mention the voucher you receive to go back and play next summer at 50% fees!

The four events are preceded by the Algarve Trophy, a betterball pairs competition on 7th October (this Friday!) where the best score wins a 3-night trip to the Algarve! The cost is only £50 per pair and again includes lunch so even if you don't win the top prize it's still a great way to play this top course on a Friday afternoon!

Pleasing offer:

Another cracking value-for-money event is the Winter Pairs Open at Pleasington Golf Club in Lancashire.

It takes place on Wednesday 26th October. The price of just £14 per person to play this Open Qualifying course is an absolute bargain!

The format is betterball pairs played over 15-holes and is already attracted a lot of entries.

A quick get-a-way:

Those that can jet-off at relatively short notice should take a look at the Golfing Days Overseas Am-Am. This competition takes place in Antequera, Spain and will be played in early November. Over 40 teams are already signed up but there is still room for three more teams. The cost is £225 per person.

Autumn pro-am:

If you want the opportunity to play with a professional golfer the Oulton Hall Pro-Am on Tuesday 11th October is a must. 

An action packed day can be yours for just £195 per team of 3 amateurs... and that includes your pro as well as a full meal package and top class prizes. 

The annual tournament is organised by See It Now Sports and includes brunch on arrival and a 4-course evening dinner. The number of teams are limited but there is still time to grab a place.

2012 matchplay comp:

Entries have already opened for the 2012 Golfdelaluz.com Northern Matchplay Golf Championship, a season-long knockout competition for golfers in the North of England. There are some top class regional final venues; Formby, Alwoodley & Silloth, with a grand final at the stunning Arcos Gardens in Spain. The same organisers also run a winter pairs event for golfers in Yorkshire.

Our annual golf day:

Finally, we are also running our very own golf day later this month. The Individual Stableford will take place at Moortown Golf Club in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Entry is £50 per person to play this Top 100 and former Ryder Cup venue. We have a handful of times left between 9am and 9.50am and would love to see some of you there!

Ireland triumph in Four Nations Golf Challenge

What a year for Irish golf 2011 is turning out to be! Following the triumphs of Rory Mcllroy and Darren Clarke in the US Open and Open Championship respectively, club golfers representing Team Ireland, followed their success with victory in the 2011 Grand Final of the FOUR NATIONS GOLF CHALLENGE – sponsored by GOLF PLUS DIRECT – ‘ Golf Fees Made Easy’

Plenty of excitement and drama unfolded at The Oxfordshire on 26 th and 27 th September, as the teams of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales battled to become ‘Champion Nation of the Year’. On an immaculately prepared course and in glorious weather, the four national teams of twelve club golfers playing in pairs in a better ball match play format, played out two dramatic semi-finals on Day 1, with both matches finishing level at 3 points each. This necessitated the pre-selected ‘names in the envelope’ to be utilised with one pair per country playing out sudden-death!

The first play-off needed three attempts on the difficult 415 yard, par 4, eighteenth hole before the Welsh pairing of Barry James of Drayton Park and Trevor Harrhy of Frilford Heath edged out Sean Lapper and Stephen King of Cherwell Edge, representing England.

That was followed by Ireland’s Baden and Michael Maher of Killarney taking two attempts to beat the Scottish pair of George Thomson and Graeme McCann of The Glen GC , to join Wales in the next day final.

Day 2 saw the good weather and high quality golf maintained as the Grand Final between Ireland and Wales got underway. Although the duo of David Bailey and Kashif Shabir of St. Pierre got Wales into an early lead in Match 1, Ireland came storming back, taking leads in the next three matches. When the respective play-off heroes from Day 1 finished their head-to-head on the 17 th , there was only one point in it with Ireland having the slender 3-2 advantage! It was all on the last match but the Irish Captain, Ian Dallas of Collingtree Park and his partner Fraser Thomson of Huddersfield GC proved too strong for the Welsh pair of Chris Gunn and Duncan Thomas of Maidenhead, closing out their match 4 and 3 to claim the trophy for IRELAND!

Ian Dallas, Captain of the victorious Team Ireland, said; “On behalf of all the competitors, I wish to thank the FOUR NATIONS GOLF CHALLENGE for such a fantastic event. We didn’t want for anything and we all felt like Ryder Cup players! I cannot believe that as club golfers, we have all received an ‘International Cap’ and to have captained my nation to victory will be a memory for ever”

All the excitement was captured for Sky Sports and can be seen at the following times:

1. 18th October - 17:00 on Sky Sports 4

2. 18th October - 20:00 on Sky Sports 3 (PRIME TIME)

3. 19th October - 01:30 on Sky Sports 3

4. 19th October - 11:30 on Sky Sports 2