UK Senior Golf Association
Paul Earland hangs on in the rain to take Gold at Huddersfield
The warm welcome to Huddersfield by James, Alex and the team was matched by the wonderful venue that Huddersfield Golf Club is.
Round 1 kicked off at 10.00 a.m. for a change resulting in a lively clubhouse atmosphere. But the weather was to have it's say as it brought some heavy showers early on and the first few groups suffered. Only the final few groups drove off the first with smiles on their faces as the sun appeared and the dark clouds moved away to the east.
Early round 1 scores were high as the rain added heavily to some tough pins and the squeegees were in action. Messrs Ready and Brewer led for a while with 77's until the in-form Paul Earland shot a 75 with a birdie birdie finish to take a 2 shot lead into round 2.
It was an earlier start for round 2 and the rain had ceased for the early starters but heavy rain was forecast later in the day to trouble the leaders. And it did making an exciting finish that came down to the last hole for the three eventual medal winners.
Whilst Billy Mitchell and Paul Earland, together in the last group, were fighting a tight battle Andrew Clarke, who started 6 shots off the lead was having a great run and found himself 3 over with 4 holes to play and had suddenly caught them. However the tough finishing holes were to cost him dropped shots but his finishing 78 for round 2 was enough to take the clubhouse lead with just one group to come and they had seen the worst of the rain.
In that leading group Paul had enjoyed a solid front 9 to go 5 ahead of Billy but a string on pars for Billy from the turn brought him back in touch. And a further par on the tricky 17th meant there was just one shot in it playing the last. Pars for both on the downhill 18th meant Paul was to hang on for his maiden win by one shot just edging out Billy and pushing Andrew Clarke into bronze by a further shot.
Billy Mitchell picks up the Silver Medal with his 158 total.
Andrew Clarke was very proud to pick up a bronze medal for his 159 total following his strong second round.
Top score in the Super Seniors (over 65) was Billy Mitchell himself so the crystal went to 2nd place Ashley Brewer with a 162 total.
Masters Winner was David Heaton with a 165 total (83 & 82).
The 36 hole net winner was a very happy Matt Crawley with a 72 and a 75 net 5 over. Some crystal and a new handicap for him!
Feedback for Huddersfield was considerable from all. The clubhouse is amazing, packed with history and complete with a super friendly and helpful team who looked after us handsomely. The course was superbly presented and held up very well in some traditional Yorkshire weather and the views from the top of the hill are second to none. There was a clear message that they would like to see us return and perhaps as a regular fixture in the UKSGA calendar and the feeling was certainly mutual
So as Paul Earland revels in his maiden victory the tour moves on some 260 miles south to Stoneham for another golfing treat for the UKSGA.
For the full results at Huddersfield click HERE.
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