W.W.G.S.
Borders Championship
2023 Borders Championship (Weekend Away).
For 2023 we decided to take a trip "Up North" visiting one of the original courses we first played as in our very first season way back in 2002 along with a new course to the Society. A great turnout of 19 of our 26 Members made the short trip up the Northumberland coast to meet up at our first course for the weekend -
Round 1 - Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club
The Society have visited Dunstanburgh twice before but never has the weather been so kind to us, being dry, calm and for the most part mild. As we gathered in the clubhouse enjoying a bacon sandwich & a cuppa a lot of the conversation centered on football and the upcoming matches on Sunday and Monday for Newcastle & Sunderland. The outcome of each match varied depending on your choice of team. But less about that and more about the main reason for our visit, the battle for the Borders Championship and to decide the custodian of "The Claw" for this season.
Once we were up and running the course provided us with some stunning scenery along the coast towards Dunstanburgh Castle ruins in the distance. Some of the holes were very tough long par 4's and there were only three par 3's and one par 5 on the course. Sadly the course "signature" hole the par 3, hole 13, "Castles" had been spoiled by groundwork's meaning we were playing off a mat on a temporary tee box. Towards the end of the round a chilly breeze came in off the North Sea, an omen of things to come, but more about that later.
Following card scrutiny here are Saturday's results -
Borders Championship round 1, Dunstanburgh, Top 3 -
1) Mark Wilson, on countback with 41 points.
2) Paul Baker with 38 points.
3) Dave Sanders with 35 points.
After a short drive down the coast we reached the venue for our overnight stay, Foxton Hall Hotel. Once we got checked into our rooms and got cleaned up and changed we gathered in the restaurant ready for an excellent three course meal washed down with a few beers. Derek, Rico and myself managed to empty a double size bottle of wine between the three of us. Even after Saturday's exercise and the delicious meal at the hotel some of our party decided to take the trek down into the village to sample all the delights Alnmouth could provide while the rest decided to spend a more sedate evening relaxing at the Hotel bar and playing pool.
Sunday dawned, or rather didn't! as you couldn't see more than 20 yards in front of you due to the thick fog that had rolled in overnight therefore the course was closed. Following a hearty breakfast it became obvious the fog would not lift quickly enough for our game at Alnmouth Golf Club to go ahead. Thankfully the Hotel Manageress had contacts at some of the local courses and she managed to book us into Burgham Park just 20 miles down the road.
Round 2 - Burgham Park Golf Club
When we arrived at Burgham it was a bit of a rush to get the new scorecards marked up and everyone ready for the off but we quickly got into the swing once out on the course. The Society have visited Burgham once before way back in 2012 when the course was very wet in places. Thankfully it was a lot drier this time but sadly the greens were very patchy and poor which detracted from what could be an excellent course if some money was spent on it.
Following card scrutiny here are Sundays results -
Borders Championship round 2, Burgham Park, Top 3 -
1) Gary West (on countback) with 35 points.
2) Andy Trewick also with 35 points.
3) Gordon Grant with 31 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 65 points (35&30) was defending Borders Champion Dave Sanders.
In 2nd place with a total of 66 points (38&28) was Paul Baker.
The winner and new Borders Champion for 2023, with a total score of 69 points (34&35) was Gary West, taking his first Society "Major" win
Congratulations to Gary and thanks to all involved including our two guest players Neil Marshall & Kevin Blenkinsopp who stepped in at late notice to make the number up. Last but certainly not least thanks to Mark Wilson who did most of the groundwork by contacting the courses and agreeing dates and times.
Competition homepage
SEASon REPORT
Latest Match Report
Latest Round results
Latest league table
fixtures list
Tim Aberdeen Shield
three rivers challenge
____________________
/Borders.R.jpg)
The 2022 Borders Champion Dave Sanders.
___________________
Quick Link to the Borders Championship score log HERE