Excitement is building in what is one of the most momentous months in the golfing calendar.
I am of course talking about the expectations for Northern Golfer’s Champion of Champions at Ramside Hall, which just about secures top billing over the Ryder Cup in Paris.
The best juniors, ladies and men will battle it out to win the trophies over two weekends at Ramside Hall. If your club champion/representative is not yet entered make sure they are before it is too late (see page 6).
All joking apart, there is nothing more mouth-watering as a sporting contest or spectacle than Europe taking on the US in the Ryder Cup. The quality of golf and the drama of the occasion makes each of these incredible contests unique in their own right.
As the last one as a united Europe before Brexit, it perhaps has added significance and Dean Bailey discusses some of the selection dilemmas as well as giving his views on who might triumph.
Elsewhere, we have to say congratulations to South Moor’s Mark Ridley for shooting 59 at Bamburgh, joining an elite club of golfers, and to all the teams who have won their respective leagues, all of which feature in this issue.
It is great to see the youngsters continue to shine with eight-year-old Tom Hartshorne’s victory at Rockliffe, Matfen Hall’s magnificent five wee wonders, and Sam Broadhurst’s success in the North of England Youth’s at Middlesbrough Golf Club particular highlights.
We also feature winners in their eighties and nineties alongside impressive successes for some of the region’s best female talent, all reflecting the strength of the game in the North East and Yorkshire.
Finally it is appropriate that our cover should feature an American who has made the North East his golfing home.
It is a fascinating story of determination and camaraderie – one thing we didn’t ask James Glenn is who he’ll be supporting in the Ryder Cup. I think I speak for the majority of Northern Golfer readers when I say I hope next month’s headlines include Europe re-Bjorn, although there are many twists and turns, hooked drives, missed putts and spectacular shots to be hit before we get there.
