NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY SENIORS.
Welcome to the Senior’s Section of the NUGC website
I hope that you find the information helpful and informative.
Paul Clarke (Hexham GC)
Captain
Contact Information
Richard Farrelly (Secretary) richard.farrelly@talktalk.net
0191 267 7662
Paul Clarke (Captain) pa.c@sky.com
Denis Martin (Committee) denmart69@hotmail.com
Latest News
The Annual General Meeting was held on Friday 14th October at the Northumberland Golf Club
Richard Farrelly was voted in as Secretary/Treasurer and the vacant position on the committee was taken by Denis Martin. Paul Clarke continues as Captain for his second year.
A vote of thanks was passed for all the hard work our retiring Secretary, Tim Bull, has put in and wish him well with his golf in the coming months. Our thanks also go to all the clubs who have helped us throughout the year with special mention for our hosts of the day. They were Newbiggin, Whitley Bay, Stocksfield, Arcot Hall, The Northumberland and Berwick on Tweed (Goswick)
The annual match with the County Ladies was played at Hexham Golf Club on Friday the 23rd September. For the first time in a while the men ran out winners by the odd point. 3 1/2 - 2 1/2
Northumberland 3rd in BIG SIX at Lancaster
Mike Fleming 2nd with an astonishing 75 in gales and heavy showers.
EGU Northern Counties Seniors Championship (Big Six) at Lancaster Golf Club
On the 6th September 2011 the EGU Northern Counties Seniors Championship (Big Six) was held at Lancaster Golf Club. This is a teams championship involving teams from Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, the Isle of Man and Northumberland competing over 36 holes with the best 5 scores out of 6 counting. At least that’s the theory.
Hurricane Irene arrived in the UK and caused havoc on the M6, A6 and other roads around Lancaster. Thankfully everyone made it to the course in time for the regulation start of 7:40. Not a chance. Not only were the greens flooded but also bridges across fairways couldn’t be accessed. What to do? What else, we retired to the bar. Would there be any play, if so how many holes and when would the new start time be?
A phone call to the Isle of Man suggested good weather was approaching fast. The greens were ‘Ironed’ not only saving them from being cut but clearing away water. Pumps were set to work on fairways. The start time would be only two hours late – amazing. The competition restricted to 18 holes.
That only left the wind and intermittent heavy showers, a mixed blessing, the wind blew away the rain but made shot making all but impossible. I stood at the first green watching players of repute getting bogeys, double bogey and sadly worse. Par was cause for celebration until at last there was a birdie. The learned spectators amongst us suggested a good score in these conditions would be 85. Indeed our score averaged across the 6-man team was 83. Our 5-man aggregate of 409 gave us a more than creditable 3rd place only one shot behind Cheshire though 15 behind the strong Lancashire team.
Only four players broke 79. Mike Baker (Durham) 74, Robert Fox (Lancs) 75, Alan Squires (Lancs) 75 and our Mike Fleming (Whitley Bay) 75. Mike came second on count back a great reward for a fantastic score in those conditions.
But it is a team game and the team held it together well despite some terrible upsets. What pleased me as much as anything was the way they battled on to give the best score they possibly could given the conditions.
Steady Eddy Bill Blackie 83 despite carding 3 7s.
David Peel 88 - admitted to struggling in the conditions but kept going despite the frustration of driving nicely but not scoring.
Alan Ross 86 - a creditable performance aided by caddy Tim Bull. Shows how important it is to keep going, thanks Alan.
Iain Logue - 84 despite a ball blown o/b
Jimmy Johnston 81 – a star performance, relegated to the best of the rest.
The full result can be found on the Northern Counties web site.
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David Peel
wins the E.G.U. Northern Counties Seniors Championship
at Silloth on Solway with 74 74 = 148 to win by a single shot.
The first day saw a modest breeze, certainly by Silloth standards. A few early showers but then as good a day as you might expect on any links.
The second day was a different matter with a proper links wind. With the back nine being the harder nine so to hold on to a score over that nine was exceptional.
The pars threes were very long irons and for most woods and some of the par 4 were unreachable. In other words a normal Silloth day. Yet David contrived to score the same on such different days.
David has always said he loves Silloth but Silloth never liked him, well I think they've just made up.
Northumberland Seniors beat Yorkshire Seniors at Rotherham Golf Club on Monday 11th July 2011 7.5 to 4.5 (Full Match Details)
Your winning team
Back Row - George Sales (Backworth), Mike Nicholson (Northumberland), David Peel (Slaley Hall), Iain Logue (Northumberland), Trevor Gascoigne (Backworth), Jimmy Johnston (Northumberland), Alan Ross (Northumberland), Mike Brown (Morpeth)
Front Row - Richard Farrelly (Ponteland), Bill Blackie(Magdalene Fields), Denis Martin (Newbiggin), David Watson (Hexham)
Now this was some match. Unsurprisingly the players will all tell you what a lovely Parkland course Thrybergh is. Though I didn't play in the match I would heartily recommend the club especially the course layout, some great holes .
The morning Greensomes saw no less than three matches halved. This would prove to be a feature of the match, very close games all day long. We went into lunch a point ahead due to wins by the Bill Blackie David Peel and Denis Martin Trevor Gascoigne pairings.
The afternoon 4BBBs saw us up in 4 games at the halfway stage and that remained the same after twelve. They weren't the same four games! By the time the games got to the 18th tee and four matches did, we were up in three. Of the other two honours were even. Nicholson and Brown winning their game whilst Sales and Watson were impressed by their opponents!
Now the 18th at Rotherham is a great driving hole unlike any I've ever seen. The drive is blind going down a hedge line on the left with as much draw as possible! Even when you knew what to do it was hard to believe it. The two best were by Mike Brown (game over) and Denis Martin (game very much alive), both hit beautifully controlled draws. It was that 18th hole that proved decisive in giving us the win we so clearly deserved. Out of these four tight matches we prevailed in 3.
The team was made to feel very welcome and our thanks go to Rotherham Golf Club and our Yorkshire hosts
Paul Clarke
Northumberland Seniors v Cumbria Seniors
at Arcot Hall on Monday 4th July 2011
Result: 6 - 6 draw
Both the morning and afternoon series were halved in this match. Of course in a drawn match every putt becomes the focus of the players post match analysis. However as Captain and watching the ebb and flow of this match it always looked like a draw from mid way through the afternoon round. Then the Cumbrians got ahead in matches I had hoped to win. But Northumbrians are made of sturdy stuff. One match that had been reversed was once more in our favour due to a sublime run of attacking golf resulting it three birdies on the trot - game over. Another match which was drifting away from us was turned into a half point with a magnificent putt from the back of the final green, courtesy of Mike Nicholson. So it has to be said we snatched a halved match from the jaws of defeat. Dinner tasted a little sweeter.
Alan Ross
Seniors Champion 2011
Seniors Championship at Burgham Park 2011
This year the championship was held at Burgham Park. The course was in excellent condition, fairways wide, big greens and long holes. Many competitors, who had not played the course for a while where impressed with the way the layout has matured into the fine course we played.
The first day is about qualifying for the low men (top 15) and the net competition. The competitors’ handicaps ranged from 1 to 17 and even for those who didn’t figure it was a good day out.
The net prize went to Mike Barlow with an impressive 76 – 7 = 69.
The fifteen qualifiers came from all over the county with 12 clubs being represented, however The Northumberland club are to be congratulated for having 4 members in the later stage. It was a delight to see David Faulder competing again as only he knows how, welcome back David.
On a more windy but largely dry second day only five players bettered their earlier scores. This proved to be decisive as all made serious moves up the leader board; indeed ‘improvers’ filled first, second and third places. The biggest mover was David Peel 79 – 74 153 to come second for the second year running, better luck next year David. It was however Alan Ross with a solid first round of 77 followed by a gutsy 75 and a total of 152 giving him the win by a single shot.
Winners
THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE PADDY BAKER ROSE BOWL. Best gross score over 36 holes. Alan Ross (Northumberland) 77 75 152
TIM BULL CUP Best net score over the 1st 18 holes. Mike Barlow (Northumberland) 76 -7 = 69
THE RICHARD JOHNSON TROPHY Best gross score for the over 65’s. Bob Steel (Westerhope) 80 83 163
Alan Ross
Seniors Champion 2011
Lancashire v Northumberland Seniors
Preston Golf Club
Monday 20th June 2011
Result: 8.5 – 3.5
The county seniors’ team kicked off the 2011 Northern Counties Seniors League with a disappointing defeat away to Lancashire at Preston Golf Club.
To explain to our regular followers the scoring system has been changed for this season to 1 point for a win and half point for a halfed match both morning and afternoon.
Northumberland trailed 4.5 to 1.5 following the morning Greensomes with wins for Iain Logue and Richard Farrelly, and a halved match for Alan Ross and Mike Fleming.
Despite a valiant effort by all in the afternoon Fourball better ball matches Northumberland could only improve their standing with wins from the partnerships of Bill Blackie and David Peel, Trevor Gasgoine and Denis Martin. Result here
Sincere thanks to Preston Golf Club for hosting the event and providing a challenging course for this match.
The Northumberland team contained two debutants for this match in George Sales (Backworth) and David Watson (Hexham) congratulations to them on their selection and we hope they enjoy their association with the County Seniors. We were also delighted to have John Bell along as travelling reserve his support was welcomed.
Our next match is at home to Cumbria on Monday 4th July at Arcot Hall Golf Club tee off 10am. Supporters would be most welcome.
A Preview of Lancaster Golf Club
Northern Counties Team Championship 2011
(Seniors Big Six)
The Seniors Team Championship, commonly known as the Big 6 is a 36 hole stroke play event in September, where each of the Northern Counties teams are represented by 6 players and this year will be played on the glorious parkland links of Lancaster Golf Club. For those who are selected, this synopsis of the course should whet the appetite of those playing when anticipating this event.
I was fortunate to play Lancaster Golf Club on Thursday 23rd June and it was indeed an absolute pleasure in every way. I cannot recall playing a better course in the last 10 years. Both myself and my two playing partners, one a professional, could not find one criticism of this fantastic golf course. The fairways were manicured to perfection, the green surrounds; bunkers (perfect consistent sand) offered the sort of conditions you would expect at only the country’s top venues. Now the greens; fast, true, perfect undulating surfaces, running at major championship pace which will test the best putters amongst those participating in this event. Get on the wrong side of the pin then be prepared to say a few prayers.
On arrival at the course you are greeted by the spectacular castellated club house in immaculate grounds and a professional shop purposely built by the first tee, which is huge and offers everything imaginable for your golfing needs. As you stand on the first tee the outlook to the course is one of a tight parkland track but very appealing to the eye. Without going through each hole, suffice to say that the course is extremely fair, with wide fairways but with a premium on placement from the tee to give the player the best angle into these wonderfully challenging greens.
If you're selected look forward to it, this is a seriously good golf course. If you don’t make it this time put this course on your list of those to visit, the staff are incredibly attentive and you would be guaranteed the warm welcome which we received that Thursday.
Regards
Iain Logue
About the County Seniors
In the first instance to qualify for the Northumberland County seniors section you must be 55 years of age and a member of a Golf Club affiliated to the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs. If you are over 55, have a category 1 handicap and would like to be involved we would make you most welcome. (Please see contact details below)
The County Seniors play representative matches annually against the other Golf Unions within the English Golf Union’s Northern Counties, namely Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and Durham and additionally provide a 6 man team to compete in the Northern Counties (36 hole) stroke play Championship. LEAGUE RULES LEAGUE FIXTURES AND RESULTS
In addition we play several friendly fixtures throughout the season and endeavour to ensure that all our members get the chance to play.
Contact Information
If you are interested in taking part with the County Seniors or want any further information please contact:
Paul Clarke (Captain) via e-mail on pa.c@sky.com
or
Richard Farrelly (Secretary) via e-mail on richard.farrelly@talktalk.net