We make no apology for majoring on the British Masters in this issue with the mouth-watering prospect of some of the world’s best golfers on display.
Lee Westwood and the team at Close House deserve immense credit for putting together such a strong field. Having visited the venue and seen the preparations we’re sure a warm North East welcome, fabulous facilities and a challenging course awaits.
There are far too few top class events held in the North of England – particularly the North East and Yorkshire – despite courses to match any in the UK.
Let’s hope for good weather and huge crowds. We have an opportunity to show top players and TV viewers just how passionate we are about sport and hopefully nudge the organisers of these top events to consider hosting more in the region.
It is also pleasing to see juniors having an opportunity to play in their own tournament. The Junior Masters will give them a chance to get up close to their heroes, hopefully inspiring champions of the future.
Away from the British Masters there is plenty elsewhere to celebrate, not least our own Champion of Champion events at Ramside Hall later this month. Good luck to all competitors and look out next month for news of the winners.
There are plenty of winners featured in these pages – Northumberland took the Big Six for the first time in 21 years, Andrew Wilson won the prestigious Lee Westwood trophy, Alex Stevenson continues her remarkable run of success, Morpeth duo Martyn Jobling and David Clark are national champions, and Arron Edwards-Hill won the North of England Open Amateur Youth Championship with a great display at Middlesbrough Golf Club to name but a few.
Our course reviews take us to Parklands and Ryton, Chris Paisley talks of his delight at securing his card for a fourth year and there is plenty of news from clubs around the region.
It hasn’t exactly been a stellar summer in terms of the weather but the golfers, both professional and amateur have done the North East and Yorkshire proud.
Let’s hope for some late sunshine – especially for the British Masters. Good luck to everyone on and off the course.
