Yorkshireman Coby Job, Harry Derham and Emma Shepherd were crowned champions of the 2025 Race to Woodhall Spa, sponsored by Your Golf Travel, after winning their respective finals at the home of England Golf.
Beverley and East Riding-based Coby won the men’s title – while Harry (Davenport) came out on top in the junior event, and Emma (Rowlands Castle) was victorious in the women’s final.
Coby won a thrilling men’s event – beating Oliver Olliff (Honiton) to the title on countback after both players shot 41 points. Nine-handicapper Coby, 23, overcame a tough start to rally with five birdies and eight pars to claim the title over 12-handicapper Oliver.
“It means a lot, I only started playing golf a couple of years ago,” said Coby. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work and it’s paid off for me. I started playing two years ago off a 27-handicap. I’ve been playing consistently with help from the pro at my golf club and I’ve progressed quite quickly and it’s paying off now.
“I had a tough start – I was four over-par through five and then I made a triple-bogey on five. Then I made five birdies to get back to four over-par for my round. On the sixth, the 200-yard par three, I hit a four-iron and stuck it to 4ft and made a birdie. On 17, I was in the trees and I had to punch out and I had 220 yards in, so I hit another four-iron and made that putt for a birdie as well – they were probably my two standout holes. Now I’m going to celebrate with a couple of pints!”
Meanwhile, Harry, 15, became the first winner of the Junior Race to Woodhall Spa – winning the inaugural event on countback over Oliver Harrison (Rowlands Castle) after both players finished tied on 38 points.
Finally, Emma won the women’s final after shooting 38 points on the Bracken Course. In a strong field of 53 players, it was the 57-year-old, playing off a handicap of 36, who came out on top as she edged Jocelyn Bowe (Davenport) by a single shot.
The Race to Woodhall Spa sees club golfers qualify for regional finals held across 11 different venues across England, with the leading players from those regional tournaments competing in the finals at Woodhall Spa.
