Home advantage proved key in a quartet of Durham County Championships.
Derek Collinson, who plays off 13 at Bishop Auckland, put together a nett score of 66 to win the Durham County Third Division Championship by one shot from South Moor 12-handicapper Reese Murray and Wearside’s Stewart Ditch, who plays off 15.
It was also a close call in the Durham County Clubs Teams Handicap Championship at Woodham Golf Club.
The host club’s team of Ian Broad (70), David Morgan (73) and Michael Sproates (74) finished on 217, two under-par, as did Billingham’s Jonathan Dobson (70), John Winning (79) and Dennis Wright (68).
However, the title went to Woodham on countback. Seaton Carew were third on 227.
Billingham had plenty of consolation when their team of Jenny Garbutt, Alice and Simon Jones and Neil Kerr won the inaugural Durham County Mixed Teams Championship with a score of 89 points over their home course.
Wynyard were second on 86 while Houghton, Heworth and Wearside were all on 84. Billingham now go to the national final at Woodhall Spa.
Brancepeth certainly made home advantage count in the Durham County Clubs Championship Qualifier with Richard Aisbitt and James Glenn both shooting 67 and Daniel Fox weighing in with a level par 70 for a total of 204.
That saw them finish 10 shots clear of Heworth to lead the 12 qualifiers for the championship proper at Ramside Hall on August 5 alongside the four exempt clubs – holders South Moor, Consett, Durham City and Wynyard.
