W.W.G.S.
Borders Championship
2024 Borders Championship (Weekend Away).
For 2024 we decided to venture south but only 50 miles or so to take a trip to North Yorkshire for the first time since 2015. For this year's Weekend Away trip Mark arranged a visit to North Yorkshire playing Thirsk and Romanby golf clubs and stopping in Northallerton.
In the week leading up to the trip the weather had been poor to say the least. With just four days to go both courses were closed and our trip was in serious doubt, we were even looking into alternative courses just in case. As it turned out the weather played ball on both Saturday and Sunday so both events went ahead as planned.
Round 1 - Thirsk & Northallerton Golf Club
Following the gathering in the clubhouse and the playing order draw we went out on to the course to play the first round of the 2024 Borders Championship. This was our first Society visit here and starting with a long, tough par 4 it quickly became obvious that Thirsk was not going to be an easy course. Given the amount of rain we have had in recent weeks the course condition was excellent, with well manicured fairways, if you managed to find them, if you didn't the rough was brutal in places. The greens were excellent, running true if slightly slow possibly due to the recent heavy and prolonged rain.
Borders Championship round 1, Thirsk & Northallerton, Top 3 -
1) Dave Sanders (on countback) with 33 points.
2) Gary West (on countback) with 33 points.
3) Steve Grant with 32 points.
After a short drive from Thirsk to Northallerton we checked in to our base for the trip, the Northallerton Inn on the High Street in the town. While the rest of my group sat outside in the glorious sunshine enjoying a beer or two I was inside checking the scores and preparing the cards for the next days match during which time the rest of the group arrived then went out on the town for a few bevies
The Senior members of our party (Rico, Derek, John & myself) decided to have a quiet evening by eating in the hotel restaurant. I have to say the food was excellent especially the fish & chips I had. Things didn't quite go to plan regarding the quiet night however as after a few beers and two bottles of a very nice Malbec the conversation turned to Dereks love life. Rico allowed Derek to sign him up to a dating website with hilarious results. Even the guy behind the bar was in stitches listening to some of Rico's answers. Thankfully the restaurantwasn't very busy so we didn't disturb too many other customers.
Later in the night some of the lads who went round the town returned and apparently they all had a great time Dave Coates was even propositioned by a pair of swingers, whatever they are?
Sunday morning dawned even better than Saturday with clear blue skies and beautiful warm sunshine, hopefully a good omen for the day ahead Following a hearty breakfast we packed our bags and clubs into our cars then headed to Romanby Golf & Country Club, a couple of miles away.
Round 2 - Romanby Golf Club
On arrival at the course we were joined by two players who weren't at Thirsk the day before, one guest & one member, Mickey Bell & Paul Baker. Then the rest of the group arrived after the party back home the night before. Once assembled we all headedout on the course for the second round of our Weekend Away trip to contest the Borders Championship, our oldest competition.
We have played Romanby before but that was many years ago and I only remembered a few holes but as yesterday the course was in excellent condition, if anything it had been less affected by the rain than Thirsk. There are a few really tough holes on this course including the daunting par 3 11th over a lake and the immense 541yard uphill par 5 16th to name but two.
Following card scrutiny here are Sundays results -
Borders Championship round 2, Romanby, Top 3 -
1) John Ford with 34 points.
2) Rico Liverani with 33 points.
3) Jim Rooks with 32 points
Now for the Borders Championship itself, following score card checks results were confirmed as -
Borders Championship Final Top 3.
In 3rd place with a total of 57 points (26&33) was Les West.
In 2nd place with a total of 60 points (29&31) was Andy Dodd.
The winner and new Borders Champion for 2024, with a total score of 64 points (30&34) was John Ford.
Congratulations to John and thanks to all involved including our three guest players Mickey Bell, "Boz" & Joe Wilson. Last but certainly not least thanks to Mark Wilson who did most of the groundwork for the whole trip by contacting the courses and agreeing dates and times.
For a full report on the Weekend Away and Borders Championship please click HERE
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The 2023 Borders Champion Gary West seen here with the Society Champion Dndy Dodd.
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Quick Link to the Borders Championship score log HERE