The race to Portugal concludes at Moortown
Clubhouse Leaders
Event Series #9: Moortown Golf Club
Tensions were high against the magnificent backdrop of Moortown. A tight finish to the season meant that 8 members were still in with a chance of winning the trip to Portugal.
With the players going out based on their standings in the Order of Merit there was real pressure on those at the top of the table to perform.
Moortown was the host course of the first British hosted Ryder Cup, and it provides a testing challenge over the first few holes. This provided a tentative start on the leaderboard.
It remained close throughout the front nine until a stunning spell of golf from second place, Hugh Spillane, which saw him score 13 points in 3 holes. This propelled him into a 4 shot lead and left the pack needing to produce something special to get back in contention.
The first nearest the pin competition came on the signature hole, Gibraltar. Known for it’s sloping green and intimidating bunkers, it failed to test Ashley Jacques, who found the centre of the green to set a challenging marker. As the other groups played through the hole no-one could get close.
Pressure didn’t effect Hugh on the back nine and he managed to keep the chasing pack at arms length. It became clear that he was on his way to Portugal. Hugh was last out, playing with Allan Underwood, who had led the leaderboard from the first competition of the year. Allan handled the disappointment magnanimously and they both had a great round with lots of support for each other. Allan very deservedly hit a brilliant shot into the 17th to get a consolation prize on our second nearest the pin.
As the final group played down the 18th, other Clubhouse Leaders members gathered to watch Hugh and Allan come in. Our Golf Genius software meant that everyone knew what was happening as they approached the green, and Hugh was applauded to victory in our final round of the season. The first Clubhouse Leaders Champion Golfer of the Year has been crowned.
It was a superb way to conclude our first season, one that has been full of drama, laughter and fun. We can’t wait to do it all again in 2025!
Strong winds and a battle to the finish at Malton & Norton
Clubhouse Leaders
Event Series #8: Malton & Norton Golf Club
A bright, autumnal day provided the backdrop for the penultimate event in the Clubhouse Leaders’ series at Malton and Norton Golf Club. Strong winds were enough to blow the leaders in the Order of Merit off course and bring a new name into the challenge.
Despite heavy rainfall the day before, Malton was in excellent condition, with the greens as superb as ever.
Early signs were that it was going to be a close affair with with those that made quick inroads, falling back into the pack in the tough wind. That didn’t stop Hugh Spillane from producing a brilliant approach shot into our first nearest the pin.
His effort finished around 6 foot away and, despite being the first group through the hole, it was enough to take the honours.
With the lead swapping on a regular basis it was proving difficult to see who was going to win. As we got into the closing holes, Martin Mellor’s consistency saw him open up a lead on the chasing pack. Part of that excellent run of golf saw him win our second nearest the pin competition, with a well judge shot into a tight green.
As he played the last he was three shots clear of the pack, with the nearest contender, Michael Goodare, in the same group. Martin failed to score any points on the last and Michael had a very makeable putt to draw level, however with the pressure on his shoulders he was unable to take advantage, allowing Martin to win the day on 37 points, with Michael on 36.
There is everything to play for as we head to Moortown for our finale on Thursday 10th October.
What a fantastic end as we wait to see who will win our race to Portugal and be crowned Clubhouse Leaders’ Golfer of the Year.
Changing leaders at Ilkley, the Course did not disappoint!
Clubhouse Leaders
Event Series #6: Ilkley Golf Club
Our re-arranged event at Ilkley ensured that we were able to have pre-round lunch on the veranda overlooking the course and the beautiful River Wharfe.
Although the round started in bright sunshine, the weather took a turn for the worse and a wet, chilly back nine was on the cards for all. As with all events so far, it was a tight affair with the lead changing hands numerous times.
David Goldsmith made a superb start and was quickly four under and sitting on a comfortable lead. However a close chasing pack developed and, when David’s game dropped off after the front nine, there were a number of contenders looking to take advantage.
Playing some solid golf, as ever, was Dave McIntyre. His iron play was on display early on as he took the nearest the pin prize on the tough hole number 2. He managed to maintain this with by hitting the 15th green and celebrate a double win for the day.
Unfortunately for Dave he couldn’t quite maintain his push up the leaderboard and it was left to Rehan Ahmed and James Thompson to push at the top. Early challenger, Paul Grace, also struggled to continue his challenge but finished a respectful 6th.
The eventual winner was James Thompson, who played consistently well and took the title with an impressive 37 points. David Goldsmith’s fast start was enough to secure second spot.
With three events to go the Order of Merit is hotting up as everyone is hunting down Allan Underwood for the trip to Portugal. All eyes on Huddersfield next!
Shorts & Sunshine for Fulford’s fairways
Clubhouse Leaders
Event Series #5: Fulford Golf Club
Sunshine, shorts and a superbly presented course made for the perfect golfing conditions as we visited Fulford for the next event in our series. Having recently hosted Open Qualifications, Fulford was a real golfing treat and appreciated by all.
With perfect conditions, the strong field teed off anticipating a great round. Early scoring was good and our in-play, Golf Genius leaderboard showed a lot of movement as everyone jostled for the places.
The first nearest the pin competition came on the tight 5th and was won comfortably by debutant, Alistair Maiden with a great shot into 4 metres from the pin.
Fulford is a fair test of golf, giving reward to straight drives and accurate approach play, but has potential danger for those off-line and with a large number of strategically placed bunkers. The set up keeps you on your toes and kept the leaderboard tight, apart from our very own Nikki Foster, who was making the most of home advantage.
As the competitors turned from home, the 14th provided the second nearest the pin challenge. This was a somewhat closer affair with a number of players bringing out the tape measure in anticipation of writing their name on the board but it was won, once again, by Alistair Maiden who again fired in to around 4 metres. We can only assume Alistair needs to work on his driving and putting!
With the first group coming in, Nikki was well clear with an outrageous score of 46 point. However, she is exempt from winning and so it was Mark Hinchliffe coming in second with 36 points that just pipped James Thompson on a back nine count back. Another close competition, with three players just one point back on 35.
A win for a first timer: Rotherham Golf Club
Clubhouse Leaders
Event Series #4: Rotherham Golf Club
Sunshine and a friendly welcome greeted us as we entered the magnificent clubhouse at Rotherham Golf Club. The memorabilia around the bar, celebrating Danny Willet’s 2016 Masters victory, inspired our members as they prepared for the golfing test ahead.
The course was beautifully manicured and the superb greens were true and quick. Another close contest developed with all competitors in with a shout of leaderboard points throughout the round.
The third hole provided the backdrop to our first nearest the pin contest. A tough 170 yard par 3 meant that with the last group to come through, the marker was still a long way from the pin. Seeing an opportunity to get an early prize, Allan Underwood was up to the task and got his name on the board.
As the wind got up, the course began to show its teeth but gave some good birdie opportunities for those holes downwind. The lead was constantly changing as we got into the latter stages of the round.
The second nearest the pin prize was on the tight fourteenth. Once again, it was left to the final group to take the prize. A well struck iron from Michael Goodare got a little bit of help from the slope to leave him only one foot from the pin.
With a tight finish on the cards, the early starters gathered with their drinks on the patio overlooking the 18 th to see the drama develop. As we all gathered there was a four way tie at the top of the leaderboard. On a back nine count back debutant, Lee Hayes, secured top spot with Hugh Spillane taking the runners up spot.
Warming Up: Scarcroft Golf Club
Clubhouse Leaders
Event Series #3: Scarcroft Golf Club
Our third event of the season found us at the beautiful Scarcroft Golf Club.
With 2024 feeling like the worst year for weather so far, it was good to experience a little sunshine as our members made their way around the course.
Scarcroft provided a great backdrop and challenge to another closely fought competition, with the lead constantly changing throughout the round it was hard to forecast who was going to come out on top.
The first nearest the pin was on the 5th, a short 129 yard hole with bunkers at the front and either side of the green. A superb shot by Matthew Bloxsome proved far too good for everyone else; with the pin in a tricky spot, he left his tee shot just 2 foot away.
The second nearest the pin on the 13th proved a much closer affair, with Mark Hinchliffe looking as though he was going to take the prize, until Hamish McKenzie managed to spin one inside it with the last shot of our groupings. To make it worse, Mark was stood on the next tee looking back to see his chance at the prize disappear!
With the leaderboard compact, Allan Underwood put down an early marker of 38 points and all eyes were on the chasing pack to see if anyone could prevent Allan from securing his second victory of the season. With players faltering under pressure it was left to debutant, James Croxen, to lead the charge. Despite some great golf, he was unable to cut the lead and finished second with 35 points.
Our very own Nikki Foster, stepped up to take over when Matty Toole had to dive out after 9 holes to focus on work. She loved the course and the good banter on the way round, managing 20 points from the back 9 it’s a good job she’s not allowed to enter the competition!
Two wins out of three competitions sees Allan take a strong lead in the Order of Merit, with strong claims for the ultimate prize of the trip to Portugal. But with 6 events still to go, and only the best 3 rounds counting; the winner could be someone that hasn’t stepped up to play yet!
Closely contested: Crosland Heath Golf Club
Clubhouse Leaders
Event Series #2: Crosland Heath Golf Club
Crosland Heath in Huddersfield provided the backdrop for our closely contested second event of the season.
Located high up on the Yorkshire Moors, the course threw up a fantastic challenge. Glorious sunshine provided the perfect day to play, with an accompanying stiff breeze providing punishment for poor shots.
Another well draining course ensured firm fairways and superb overall condition. The views from the higher holes were simply stunning.
Competition was unbelievably tight, with just two points separating the top 8 players!
Crosland Heath is known for its challenging par 3s, the majority of which require accuracy as you play across old quarries on to island greens. The wind made getting close to the pins very tough!
The test didn’t intimidate Dave McIntyre, as he fired in to just 10 foot from the pin on the 9th to claim the first Nearest the Pin prize. With Dave’s name also on the board for the second Nearest the Pin on the 17th, it was great to see another member step up in our final Group to make sure that Dave didn’t take a clean sweep. With a well judged shot to around 8 feet from the pin, Rob Burton claimed the glory.
The early clubhouse leader was Hugh Spillane, who had been out in the first Group and grabbed himself a drink to enjoy the sunshine whilst watching the competition play the final hole. The top of the leaderboard was stacked; meaning the 18th provided a dramatic finish and a nervous wait for Hugh. As group after group came through we saw missed putts and wayward approach shots. Hugh remained the outright leader, winning by a single shot, with 34 points. Well done Hugh - you were up for this challenge from the moment you arrived!
We had 4 players grappling for second place on 33 points, with Ashley Jaques stealing the position on a back 9 count back.
As everyone enjoyed the sun drenched terrace, the talk turned to the missed putts that ultimately cost victory.
It was great to see some new faces for this event; bringing together more of Yorkshire’s business community, in a relaxed, competitive environment.
First event of the Season: Selby Golf Club
First event for Clubhouse Leaders.
Event Series #1 : Selby Golf Club
Clubhouse Leaders headed to Selby Golf Club on Wednesday morning (10th April) excited to get our first ever event underway. After months of planning the day had come to welcome over 20 of our members and put on a top class golf day.
As we arrived at Selby early to get set up, we were greeted by the magnificent sight of the course bathed in sunshine, with greenkeepers putting the final touches to the greens. After the atrocious weather we have had over the past few months it was like driving into an oasis. No wading through mud. No plugged golf balls. Just superbly manicured greens and wonderfully shaped fairways.
It was no fluke that we chose Selby. It is widely regarded for providing high quality golfing conditions all year round and, in the most testing of times, it didn’t let us down.
The clubhouse had a sense of first day at school about it as our new members arrived to sign in. Contacts reconnecting and new relationships beginning.
We are pleased that we decided to sign up to Golf Genius for our Event Series; the technology didn’t let us down. Once everyone was comfortable with it, the scoring took care of itself and allowed everyone to relax and enjoy the golf.
As the fourballs made their way to the first tee, the excuses for poor performance began; nobody has been able to play much golf over the past few weeks and everyone was keen to get their tee shot away. The first player stepped up and put it out of bounds! Gradually everyone settled into their rounds, with blustery conditions making scoring difficult.
The first nearest the pin competition was on the 5th hole, a short par 3, with a very small green. The tight target helped focus the mind and we witnessed some great shots. The best by far saw Hamish McKenzie dance the ball around the pin and come to rest a metre away. The first prize of the 2024 series secured.
The second nearest the pin competition was on the 10th, with a strong cross wind; proving a much tougher test. It took until the final group for anyone to hit the Green; with Hugh Spillane taking the prize.
The weather took a turn for the worse over the back nine but the course remained immaculate. The lead took a few twists and turns over the final holes, but Allan Underwood took the title for the first event with 37 Stableford points, with Peter Laing securing second place with 35.
The race for Portugal has well and truly begun!
Lots of chat and a few well deserved drinks followed in the clubhouse. Feedback has been exceptional and plenty of new contacts have already been forged.
