I am sitting writing this note reflecting on another fascinating month of golf where youngsters have come to the fore.
The Northumberland Ladies Championship was contested by last month’s teenage cover star Jessica Baker and 15-year-old Rosie Belsham. As you will read on page 15, it was Whitley Bay’s Rosie who triumphed to become the youngest-ever winner of the event – a fantastic achievement.
Down the road, another teenager Jessica Hall continues her incredible run of success, picking up her first national title and breaking Dinsdale Spa’s course record.
Meanwhile, a man just out of his teens put a family hoodoo to rest by winning the Durham County Championship – Chris Handy taking a title his father had just missed out on twice in the past.
It isn’t just the young ones who have excelled during the early summer though with City of Newcastle’s Angie Heads taking the Northumberland vets title while Barnard Castle’s Darren Pearce came within touching distance of the title playoff in the PGA Seniors at Foxhills.
It just goes to prove that golf is a sport for all ages and it is wonderful to see so many winners in our area.
We are delighted to announce that Lookers Renault will be partnering the Northern Golfer Champion of Champion events, which take place at Ramside Hall in September. Thank you to everyone at Lookers for the support – you can find out more on pages 4 and 5.
This month we review two courses celebrating 125th anniversaries, Hexham and Whitby, as well as taking a trip from the Tyne to the Tweed with views to behold at some stunning coastal courses.
Fresh from footballing joy at Wembley, South Shields FC chairman Geoff Thompson takes time out to talk to us about his love of golf while the story of Aaron Mansfield (page 49) can’t fail to make you smile.
Plus we have Gear, Tips, the latest from Chris Paisley, and news from clubs across the North East and Yorkshire in a packed edition. Please keep sending us your news and views.
Finally, I did contemplate devoting this column to my fourth hole-in-one but didn’t want to bore you with the details – if you are interested you can find out more in From the Bunker.
Until next time – happy golfing.
