Bishop Auckland Golf Club’s Annodata Matchplay campaign ended with a highly creditable third place finish at Montecastillo Golf Resort in Spain.
The Bishop Auckland team’s bid for the title started way back in March at Tyneside Golf Club in the preliminary round, and ended at the Grand Final event in Cadiz nine months later.
The team battled through in Cadiz, winning the quarter-final after extra holes against Collingtree before facing Ely City.
In the semi-final, Graham Milne led the team from the front and secured a half. Carl Johnson then won his match comfortably before Adam Peart lost his match.
Niall Bennison halved his match after narrowly missing a birdie putt for victory on the 18th, leaving the match in the hands of anchorman Stephen Ridley.
Stephen walked down the 18th all square with James McLaughlin and with the match tied at 2-2. At the green, he lipped out from 15ft to win, forcing the tie into extra holes. In the playoff, Bishops lost at the 20th hole.
Despite the disappointment, the team picked themselves up and beat Fingle Glen in the third place playoff.
Team manager Mark Walker said: “It’s been a great run. The week in Spain was very intense, but it was a fantastic experience. The players made the members, their families and most of all themselves proud.
“After celebrating our 125th year, it’s certainly been a memorable season.”
