With the green jacket presented to Danny Willett – we can safely say the golf season is underway.
The fantastic action at Augusta National certainly whets the appetite for what is to come in the North East and Yorkshire.
It is inspiring for Northern golfers everywhere to see Yorkshireman Danny pick up the green jacket, Close House’s Lee Westwood as runner-up and young Matt Fitzpatrick taking seventh place at The Masters. Well done to them all.
Equally inspiring is Stephanie Peareth, whose determination to start playing again despite an incurable brain condition shines through – her incredibly moving story is on page 12.
Still on the inspirational theme – Graeme Storm deserves huge credit having successfully launched his Junior Open at Hartlepool. To see so many youngsters playing great golf and, more importantly, enjoying themselves was hugely encouraging.
It is the most high profile of a number of initatives underway at clubs throughout the region to get more youngsters into the game – including our Junior Champion of Champions. Make sure you enter your club’s top youngster for the event later this year.
Charity also plays a big part in most club golfer’s year – you can find some of the latest events to enter within these pages plus remember to let us know of any causes you are supporting. We would be delighted to feature them.
Our travel feature takes us over to Europe, but if you fancy somewhere closer to home then you would do well to try out the courses we review this month – Backworth and Ripon – or see if you can win a fourball at Allendale, Eaglesclife or Wilton.
Another good way to visit other courses (or welcome competitors to your home fairways) is through our Match Play Pairs and Ladies Greensomes. Entries close at the end of the month so make sure you register – details on pages 58 and 59.
We wish you the best of luck wherever you’re playing – particularly if you are now off the back tees. The region is so lucky to have so many magnificent courses – let us all encourage new, lapsed and regular golfers to give some of them a try.
