Big names fall as class of 2010 show form

Play-off winner - Craig Marwood

Results from second round matches are coming in on a regular basis and there have already been some upsets with a number of grand finalists departing the competition.

There will be a new name on the individual trophy after defending champion, Teejay White from Rotherham, went down to Mike Connelly at Hallamshire. Another notable name to exit was Southport & Ainsdale's Tony Miller, Lancashire champion last year, who lost out to Chris Owens of West Derby. John Leonard was another grand finalist who faltered when he lost at home to Lee Wilson from Carus Green.

Michael Whalley (Marsden Park), a pairs finalist last year, departed the singles event going down at Rochdale to Callum Lynch whilst he and his doubles partner, Gordon Whinkup, lost to Stephen Barnes & Steve Birt (Colne) in the betterball event. Cumbria finalist in 2011, Ian Scraggs from Workington, also went out in the second round at Silloth on the first extra play-off hole to David Bell. 

However, Newbiggin's John Mather has progressed to round three. The Northumberland champion from last year won through away at Hexham. Meanwhile, father & son duo, Peter & Sean Hoskin of Workington, are through to the 3rd round and will be hoping to go one better than the Cumbria regional final that they reached last year.

The big name exits have opened the way for remaining competitors and those who performed well in 2010 are making their mark. 2010 winner, Andrew Lee from Northcliffe, has moved to the third stage of the event, and after a hiatus in 2011, now remains unbeaten in nine Northern Matchplay matches.

Another 2010 grand finalist showing form is Middlesbrough's Craig Marwood. He played Aldwark Manor's Chris Lennox and came through at the first extra play-off hole. He said, "We both played a little poorly which evened us out and we had a great head to head battle for 18 holes. Chris was one up on the par 3 18th hole but after missing the green I played a good bunker shot to win the hole. At the 19th we both missed the green but I managed to win. I enjoyed the day and had great host in Chris."

2010 finalist Paul Clarkson

Birley Wood's Paul Clarkson, also reached the individual grand final in 2010, and has reached the third round of the doubles with his partner, Carlton Hollis, this time around.

Elsewhere Yorkshire finalists last year, James Skirrow & Andrew Goldstein (Fulford / Crosland Heath) are through to the 3rd round, although Skirrow exited the singles event at Rudding Park against Mark Inman.

There have been many exciting matches reported but one that stands out is John Hooton's performance when the Herons Reach player finished birdie-eagle to turn a one hole deficit, with two to play, into a victory in his pairs match. What makes it more remarkable is that he was dormie two-down in his singles match and finished birdie-birdie eventually winning at the first hole of a sudden death play-off!

The third round draw will be made this week and any ties where both players/pairs have completed their games will be emailed out. Second round games have a deadline of Friday 8th June.

1st round review

Despite the atrocious weather over the past few weeks all first round games have been completed and the second round draw is now live on the Golfdelaluz.com Northern Matchplay website. 

Well done to all those who braved the elements during April to get their games completed in good time and let's hope for a nice summer now!

The good news for those who didn't make it through the first round is that you have a second chance to reach to grand final at Arcos Gardens in Spain (where I'm sure the weather won't be a problem!) and that is by playing in and winning one of our two stand alone tournaments.

As always with the 'home and away' legs in the first round there were some very close games that went right down to the wire, many going to extra holes. We even heard about a hole-in-one but unfortunately that wasn't enough to help claim a first round victory.

2010 champion Andrew Lee through to round two

Defending champion, Teejay White from Rotherham, progressed into the second round as did other 2011 grand finalists John Leonard (Penrith), John Mather (Newbiggin) and Tony Miller (S&A). Andrew Lee, the winner back in 2010 also won his opening round tie and could be a force to be reckoned with. 

A beaten regional finalist last year, Ian Scraggs from Workington, won his first round tie. Simon Bedford (Bramall Park), a pairs grand finalist last September, lost his betterball match but is still in the singles. 

Interestingly Michael Adams (Runcorn) and Stephen Ridley (Bishop Auckland) - individual finalists last year - are through to the second round, but in the pairs event as they didn't play the singles this year. Likewise with Andrew Lincoln, who made the Yorkshire individual final last year, he has bowed out of the singles but is still in the pairs. Middlesbrough's Craig Marwood, a finalists in 2010, also moved into round two.

Elsewhere in the pairs section Sean Jackson & Neil Mclachlan (Magdelene Fields), Michael Whalley & Gordon Whinkup (Marsden Park) and Christopher Lee & Tony Woodford (Mellor & Townscliffe) are three pairs that are still on track to reach the grand final again.Whalley has also entered the singles and came through his opening encounter too.

Peter & Sean Hoskin hoping to go one better

Father & son duo, Peter & Sean Hoskin, who lost out in a regional final last year are also into round two as are Jason Dowson & Eddie Freeman (Castle Eden), James Skirrow & Andrew Goldstein (Fulford / Crosland Heath), John Carmichael & Darren Glynn (Dean Wood / Grange Park) and Peter Mountford & David Murray (Prestbury). The latter defeated last years runners-up, Sean Finlay & Steven Boswell. Skirrow also won his first round individual tie. Meanwhile champions in 2010 and grand finalists last year, Ashley Ibbotson & Ben Ryland (Wheatley), moved ominously into the second round.

Performance of the opening round goes to Gavin Elliott who found himself dormie four down only to win all of the remaining holes before clinching victory at the second extra play-off hole!

The deadline for completing 2nd round matches is Friday 8th June and as always players are urged to make contact and arrange games as soon as possible.

2nd round draw

The 2nd round draws for the 2012 Golfdelaluz.com Northern Matchplay Golf Championship are now available online.

They can be seen here. Matches are to be played by Friday 8th June.

Fixby Challenge 4-Ball for £100

There has been an amazing take-up to our '4-Ball for £100' offer when entering the Fixby Challenge.

This 18 Hole Individual Strokeplay event at Huddersfield Golf Club on Friday 27th July offers an alternative route to the grand final in Spain. The player with the lowest nett score will book a place in the Arcos Gardens showdown between 14th & 18th October 2012.

It's a second chance for anybody eliminated from the knockout stage or ideal for those who missed the closing date for the matchplay section.

Last year the event was won with a level par score of 71 (by John Goodland pictured above) so anyone playing to their handicap on the day will be in with a real chance of making the four-night overseas trip which includes flights.

Many players have been entering individually at £30 but the special offer of a 4-Ball for £100 has proved to be very popular and will continue to run until the start-sheet fills up. The course is booked for the whole day (8am - 4pm) and we are approx 60% full so anybody wishing to secure a place is advised to enter asap.

This can be down by downloading the entry-form or entering online.

There are also still some times left for the Cleveland Classic, our Betterball equivalent to the Fixby Challenge.

Reflections on first round draw

Teejay White begins the defence of his title

Rotherham's Teejay White will start his defence of the Golfdelaluz.com Northern Matchplay Championship with a tie against Richard Jezusek of Tankersley Park.

That game is just one of hundreds of opening round matches with several catching the eye.

It will no doubt be a tough assignment for the South Yorkshire youngster who plays the first leg away from home before entertaining the six-handicapper at the Thrybergh Park course in the return fixture.

2010 winner, Andrew Lee of Northcliffe, also plays away first in a match against Baildon's Gary Stevenson (11 hcp).

Finlay & Boswell hoping to go one better in 2012

With last years pairs champions, Allan Williams & Kevin Dyson of Seaham, electing to go out on a winning note, and not defend their title, attention will turn to runners-up, Sean Finlay & Steven Boswell (Tytherington/Wilpshire), who face a tricky contest against Prestbury's Peter Mountford & David Murray.

Mountford & Murray had a good run last year but eventually lost out in the Cheshire regional final at Wallasey. Their victors on the day, Simon Bedford & Alastair McGowan from Bramall Park, will play Simon Carless & Ian Wadsworth of Shrigley Hall in the 36 hole opener.

All eyes will also be on 2010 pairs winners and grand finalists last year; Ashley Ibbotson & Ben Ryland. 

Proven track record - Ibbotson & Ryland

The Wheatley duo have an exceptional record in the event and kick off their 2012 campaign with a match against Ian Houghton & Chris Stocks representing Renishaw Park. The pair they beat in dramatic style during the Yorkshire regional final at Pannal last year, Andrew Greetham & Trevor Hewson (Hessle), will be another strong pairing and open with a tie against Skidby Lakes double Paul Grainger & David Horswill.

And the double act of James Skirrow & Andrew Goldstein (Fulford/Crosland Heath) - beaten in the semi-final at Pannal - will be another that fancy their chances of success this time around. Another player who lost out in the regional final at Pannal last September, Catterick's Andrew Lincoln, will be hoping for another good run and plays in both the individual and pairs event with son Joe.

Tough assignment for Chris Brindle

Michael Whalley & Gordon Whinkup (Marsden Park) who finished third overall last year play Chris Adams & Michael Henry (Burnley) whilst Whalley also goes in the singles section and will be familiar with his opponent because he faces 2011 Lancashire runner-up Chris Brindle in what promises to be a close game.

The player who defeated Brindle at West Lancs, Tony Miller of Southport & Ainsdale, will begin his road to Spain with a tie against Craig Sweeney of Mossock Hall. The pair that Whalley & Whinkup overcame at West Lancs, John Carmichael & Darren Glynn (Dean Wood / Grange Park), will no doubt once again be strong contenders.

Sean Jackson & Neil McLachlan (Magdalene Fields) will be one of the favourites in the North-East & Cumbria section. They start out with a game against Alnwick Castle duo Steve Barron & Neil Armstrong whilst other strong North-East pairings will be Castle Eden's Jason Dowson & Eddie Freeman who lost out at Seaton Carew in the Durham final last year and Peter & Sean Hoskin who just missed out on a spot at Alwoodley when they lost at Silloth in the Cumbria final.

John Mather - one to watch in North-East & Cumbria

Three individual grand finalists from last year - John Mather (Newbiggin), Stuart Conley (Seaton Carew) & John Leonard (Penrith) - have all re-entered and are placed in the North-East & Cumbria draw. Ian Scraggs - runner-up to Leonard in the Cumbria final - also goes again this term. There's a chance they could all make the regional final at Silloth in September and will the ones to beat. 

2011 Fixby Challenge winner, John Goodland (Haydock Park), is another hoping to go slightly further this year and faces two-handicapper Andrew Blackedge (Dean Wood) in the home & away first round.

Two other individual grand finalist last year have switched to the betterball  format. Michael Adams (Runcorn) will partner his son in the North-West section whilst Stephen Ridley from Bishop Auckland pairs up with Matthew Tyrie in the North-East & Cumbria region.

All first round games can be seen here with a deadline of Sunday 13th Sunday for completing them.

First round draw now live!

The draw for the first round of the 2012 Golfdelaluz.com Northern Matchplay Golf Championship has now been made and published on the website.

Details of the draw can be found here where regional draw-sheets can be downloaded and printed if required. They are in pdf format but should anybody require them in a different format they can email hello@northernmatchplay.com

Below are some important notes about the first round:

• The first round is played over 36 holes on a 'home and away' basis.
• The player/pair on the left has home advantage in the first leg.
• Full handicap allowance in the singles and 3/4 in the pairs - golfers with 19+ handicaps must reduce to 18 before any calculations are made.
• The score after the first 18 holes (ie: 4 up) carries over to the start of the second leg where the game is played to a conclusion (if required sudden death is played at the venue of the 2nd leg).
• Whatever your handicap is at the start of the first leg should be used for the second leg as well (ie: if it changes between legs).
• We advise taking a copy of your current active CONGU handicap to the game.
• The closing date for first round matches is Sunday 13th May and no extensions will be granted.
• Please contact opponents to arrange the dates of both legs asap and contact us if you have any difficulties arranging.
• Results should be sent by the winners to results@northernmatchplay.com
• The full rules about the competition can be found here.

Draw published at noon today

Entries are now closed for the 2012 Golfdelaluz.com Northern Matchplay Golf Championship.

The draw for all regions will be published on the website before noon today (Thursday 5th April).

Entries close at noon today!

Entries for the 2012 Golfdelaluz.com Northern Matchplay Golf Championship close at noon today (Monday 2nd April).

Hundreds of golfers have registered since entries opened last year and a late flood of entries means that the 2012 event will once again be keenly contested.

For those new to the competition you have to win a maximum of six games against local opponents to reach a 36 hole regional final at Formby, Alwoodley or Silloth on Solway. Win two more there and you qualify for the 4-night, expenses paid, overseas grand final at the stunning Arcos Gardens on the Costa de la Luz in Spain.

You can find out more and enter online via the official championship website.

Eagle two helps Stephen & Iain to winter pairs win

Winter Champions

Stephen Greenwood & Iain Clarkson's long wait for victory finally ended when they claimed the Yorkshire Winter Pairs title at Huddersfield Golf Club today.

The Ghyll duo have played in every event - both singles and pairs - since the inception of the Yorkshire Matchplay back in 2009 and were eventually rewarded when they carded a winning 43 points over the fast running Fixby course.

They were already very much in the mix when they reached the turn in 21 points but an eagle two on the short par four tenth, when Clarkson pitched in for four points, put them very much in the driving seat. They dropped a shot at the par three next but managed to pick up another three shots on the way home to take victory by two points over Norman & Damian Simpson from Woolley Park.

The Simpson's

Greenwood, a six handicapper, came in on the card ten times including a gross birdie at the third and nett birdies at the ninth and 16th whilst Clarkson (17 hcp) also contributed with nett birdies on the fifth, 13th and 15th. The pair win £300 of Marks & Spencer vouchers to split between them.

For the Simpson's, who also turned in 21 points, it was very much a case of consistency but without the putts dropping for birdies.

The father & son pairing didn't lose a shot to par all day and also had an eagle of their own when son Damian, a scratch golfer, eagled the third despite finding trees off the tee. They also picked shots up at the eighth, 10th and 15th to finish on 41 points.

Moseley & Knowles

Third place went to another pair of regulars; James Knowles (4 hcp) & Neil Moseley (5 hcp) who travelled from South Yorkshire. The duo, who reached the final of the summer matchplay in 2010, carded 38 points but rued dropped shots on three holes; eight, 14 and 17. 

Moseley weighed in with gross birdies at the third and last with Knowles carding a three at the par four 15th. Knowles also picked up a two-ball with buggy voucher at De Vere Oulton Hall for his nearest-the-pin on the short eighth - his partner quick to remind him afterwards that he should give it back because he three putted!!

Another father & son pair just missed out on the prizes as Steve & Nick Fairbank from Hessle returned 37 points. Nick posted two birdies on the front nine including a fabulous three at the tough ninth but a 'blob' at the 14th prived to be their downfall.

Nick & Steve Fairbank

A poor back-nine undid Andrew Sutcliffe & Kevin Woodhead of Baildon. They raced to the halfway stage with 20 points - back-to-back birdies coming at the third and fourth - but couldn't keep the momentum going with two blank scores on the inward half despite another gross birdie from Sutcliffe at the tenth. They ended with 36 points as did Eddie Portman & Gary Marshall from Dewsbury District. Two halves of 18 was a good standard on a day when there was a stiffish breeze, the highlight coming at the treacherous twelfth when Marshall produced a birdie three.

Mike Horsfall & Adam Spolnik started well picking up shots at the first two holes but faded to 31 points.

The course proved a good test with the greens running true & quick, especially for this time of year.

Leading scores:

Stephen Greenwood & Iain Clarkson (Ghyll) = 43 points

Norman Simpson & Damian Simpson (Woolley Park) = 41 points

James Knowles & Neil Moseley (Bondhay) = 38 points

Steve Fairbank & Nick Fairbank (Hessle) = 37 points

Eddie Portman & Gary Marshall (Dewsbury District) = 36 points

Andrew Sutcliffe & Kevin Woodhead (Baildon) = 36 points

Mike Horsfall & Adam Spolnik (Oulton Hall/Bradford) = 31 points

You can also see the photos from the day on our Facebook page or for those not on the social network website here.

A reminder that our Fixby Challenge takes place at Huddersfield Golf Club in July whilst entries for the main summer matchplay close at noon on Monday.

Don't miss out on summer matchplay

Golfers have until noon on Monday to enter the Golfdelaluz.com Northern Matchplay Golf Championship.

Entrants need to win a maximum of six games against local opponents to reach a regional final at Formby, Alwoodley or Silloth on Solway golf clubs where food is included and there are no green-fees to pay. Entry is £15 for the individual competition & £25 per pair for the betterball. You can enter online or download a pdf entry-form.

The winners at each regional venue qualify for our all expenses paid (including flights) grand final at the truly stunning Arcos Gardens Golf Resort in Spain.

We're also delighted to advise that thanks to our main sponsor, Golf de la Luz, all entrants will receive £50 off a golf trip to Arcos Gardens when taken before 28th February 2013. The offer is based on a minimum group of two people staying for at least three nights with full details and terms here.

A reminder also that our Fixby Challenge 4-Ball for £100 offer finishes in just over 24 hours. The winner of this 18 Hole Individual Strokeplay event at Huddersfield Golf Club on Friday 27th July will be fast tracked to the grand final!