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Upper Wensleydale Golf Society, Leyburn (2026)

18/06/2025

Ding ding round 2
So we kicked off our second event of the year at Malton and Norton golf club and it was ace, 27 different holes of varying difficulty but by en large an excellent test of one’s ability to play or not play golf.
Testing at times and not terribly forgiving and comfortably the best greens we’ve seen in a good while often leaving you botty twitching 8-10 footers to save shots as the speed of the greens was lethal at times especially if your were the wrong side of the hole. So to win it would take some effort, a little luck and a shed load of nerve on and around the greens.
With a line up of 22 braving what looked like a rainy day out, 2 trophies to play for and the usual along the way competitions it turned out to be a beautiful day as the sun shone and the rain clouds ebbed away and we explored, between us, every inch of the course hunting for errant drives, thinned approaches and shanked wedges.
Comedy moments included a Hamlet cigar moment in a bunker, (you tube it if you’re a millennial) KJ upsetting the president on the last 3 holes and earning a golden ball in the process, hitting a drive into the water on the front nine, taking a drop and then following the first ball in after it all led to a thoroughly enjoyable day out for the society.

So how did it all end up, well after the first nine our president led the way on 22 points hotly pursued by jimmy Mac, the big fella and blower on 20, however we all know that if form follows form, if you’re winning at lunch you’re not winning at dinner.

And so it came to pass again as form followed form and yep our president didn’t win and the money went to the chasing crowd.

Drum roll then

1st place, yep it was always going to happen as our best golfer sort of slowly wasn’t our best golfer, then he won and is now again our best golfer and has a new shiny handicap that would bring tears to a lesser man…….. yep our winner was Tony Porter with an excellent 61 points playing the 27 holes to around 13/14 over.
2nd was KJ with and equally good round with 58 points and was our afternoon winner with 43 points so that’s going some.
3rd was our president Kevin McDermid who was left rueing KJs last 3 holes and came home with another 58.

The absent 3s and 5s trophy which is still sat on Steve Calvert’s mantelpiece went to our 3rd place man and president Kevin McDermid who was presented with a ball and an imaginary trophy to hold aloft,

Nearest the pin in the morning was the big fella
Nearest the pin in the afternoon was Ben
Nearest the pin in 2 morning was Ben
Nearest the pin in 2 afternoon was the big fella
And to finally break the symmetry
Longest drive went to Martin Sunter, first time winning it and arguably now the best golfer in Simonstone
Best guest was Martin Blacoe.
Not surprisingly we only had one 2 and that went to Ben again.
So after topping up Ben and Tony’s ball collections there’s not much more to add other than the usual thanks.
So a big thankyou to Malton and Norton for having us, it’s a cracking course and one I’d definitely play again, thanks to the catering who shipped out an excellent steak pie and reinvigorated the golf and steak pie society as we should be known.
Usual thanks to Tony for all he’s does, Ally, kevin and Doggy for keeping us right with the scores, KJ for the handicaps and any one else who gave up their time to keep us all running smoothly.
Next event is at one of my favs, Darlington golf club for the John Brown trophy over 18 holes stableford on Sunday 22nd June.
Any one interested in joining us then get in touch and we will see you then.

18/05/2025

So the clubs were dusted off, cleaned if you’re that way out or if you’re like me, just got them out of the shed in the same state you left them in 6 months ago!
The day had finally arrived, the opening event of the 25/26 season, bring a buddy day and our president Kevin McDermid welcomed us to Richmond golf club on what turned out to be a beautiful warm and sunny day.
A tough parkland course nestled on the north side of the Richmond hill continues to be a challenge to all abilities with its rolling undulating fairways, tight tree lines and brutal greens. Fair to say there isn’t an easy par 3 till the 12th, some of the long 4s are about as tough as you can get and the 3 of the 4 par 5s have greens cut into the hill so if you’re not accurate then it can add up, still it’s a thoroughly enjoyable knock especially when the suns shining, not a cloud in sight and you’re with a bunch of like minded friends just out to enjoy the day, so what more could you possibly want from life.
The usual laughs and giggles echoed around the 18th from the terrace as our closest to the pin competition took place there for all to see, fuelled with ice cold beverages, the amusement at good and bad attempts always puts a smile on your face and the running commentary from Ed on whether the putt would be made or not just added to the atmosphere and so with that in mind it’s on to the good, bad, ugly and comedy moments to savour.
6 guests joined us, hopefully you enjoyed the day and you’re more than welcome to come again, most of us leaving better quality balls than we found for the members to use later, (one of us more so….not me this time but I did leave my fair share), Rob hitting one into the trees and then mis-hitting it closer to the tree and resorting to the only way possible to get it out by playing the next shot snooker style, KJ missing an 8” putt on the 15th and leaving an 8 footer instead, hitting your putt up to the hole leaving it an inch short and then watch it roll all the way back to your feet for another crack at it and Ryan’s eagle on the17th to name but a few.
All in all a great day out, so on to our winners on the day;

1st Gary Richardson with an extraordinary 45points
2nd Tony Lambert with a brilliant 44points
3rd Keith Johnson with 44points and ruing missed putts on the 15th and 18th
Best guest was Rob Hunt with 39 points. Well done Rob.
Nearest the pin was KJ
Nearest in 2 was Ross Cadman
And the biggest brute longest drive was the big fella Tony Porter,
2s and a ball went to John Pickard, Ryan Richardson, Ben Lambert and Nigel Ellis.

With the prizes done and dusted the evening relocated to spoons where Gary shrewdly bought the first round with his winnings and left the rest of the round wondering who was going to get the expensive round later on, winner winner chicken dinner and no flies on Gaz there.. and as the night ebbed away with what could of been, we laughed and joked the hours away and gave no thought whatsoever to the impending bad head and the aches and pains of just getting old.

So finally thanks to Richmond for hosting us, great burger that even Ally had, first time in 20 odd years we’ve not seen him have the chicken, big thanks to Tony, Andrew, Keith, Ally and doggy for all the hard work and helping get the day done for us all to enjoy.
Finally the next day out is Friday 6th June at Malton golf club, 27 hole stableford, with unusually, a separate 9 so any chance of correcting a mistake in the morning isn’t going to happen! Anyone fancying joining us you’ll be made more than welcome so please get in touch.

22/09/2024

Final day dawned at catterick and unlike the zombie movie 23 years later being filmed in redmire ???? We were all bright eyed and bushy tailed for the onslaught of 3 of the toughest opening holes on any golf course around. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again get to the 4th tee with more than 4 points and that’s a pretty good start in anyone’s book.
So the Grand Prix had warmed up nicely, Barr had inadvertently snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with 2 of his unusually poorer rounds and opened the door for a pack of new and old dogs to chase down, as it happen Ross was actually in the driving seat and in reality it was his to loose……., but we’ve been here before, especially last year when only one possible set of results could upset the positions and that’s exactly what happened. So a nervous 18 for Ross then with those chasing, quietly hoping for an indifferent round from our leader and a good or winning round from themselves.
Remarkably, looking at the weather forecast leading up to Sunday, I’d spoken to Martin before the St Leger and as betting men it was about a sure thing as you can get that we were going to get wet, very wet. However, somewhere along the way in a Micheal Fish type of weather forecast faux pas it was warm, dry and still, perfect golfing weather, remarkable!
So with that pleasant surprise in hand a remarkable 44 of us turned out to play our final event of the year.
As our out going president Dave Allen teed off for the last time before he officially becomes an “also has been” like the rest of us, there was a bit of reflection of the year and general consensus was that it’s been a very enjoyable one and I don’t think anyone can doubt that, so well done doggy thanks for that.
So no need to wax lyrical about catterick we’ve all played it loads, a tough course, long and accurate driving needed most of the time especially on the back nine, it’s a course that can round wreck in an instant so you can never really relax around there.
On to the thanks for the day, thanks to catterick especially Richard in the pro shop who always helps us out and looks after us, Tony for organising, ally and Barr for somehow keeping track of all the trophies and events, Kevin for doing his bit, scotty and Rambo for doing the running around, KJ for the handicapping (yep I’m trying in vain to avoid a significant hack in my mark) and anyone I might of missed.
As for the year, we’ve had 7 events, 16 guests join us across those events, several with 40+ turnouts and 2 great bus trips out so a huge thankyou to all that attended the days this year and all the people behind the scenes pulling the strings, this society wouldn’t survive without all that hard work and participation for all.
So to the main events, the winners, amusingly as I’ve said before we give out so many trophies at this event if you don’t win one then you feel like you’ve missed out.

The putting trophy was tied with Stuart Meikle and Blower both on -2. Unfortunately poor old Stuart wasn’t quick enough to pipe up the often used phrase with this trophy “you can have it” so he won it and I just snaffled a ball much to Andrew’s objection.
Best guest putter was Dave Harmsworth at -1

20+ handicap went to John Hestletine with 40 points
0-19 handicap went to a resurgent Steve Raw with 39 points
Over 65 (not handicap but age) went to Ally Pratt with another 39 points
Ex presidents cup went to Ed Ward who maintained yet another season with winning something whether a ball or money from the bookie very little seems to pass by Ed, still we reward him with getting him to organise the Christmas party.

The main prize “the niblick” went to:
1st Mark Alder 40 points
2nd John Hestletine 40 points
3rd Steve Raw 39 points

Best guest was Scott Partridge with 33 points

Longest drive went to Eddie Baker, awesome Ed
Nearest the pin in two went to Gary Richardson with a bad shoulder?
Nearest the pin went to JH no not welly doggy…. Jack Hammond
Amazingly for the first time in a while we had some 2s Tony Lambert, Scott Partridge and the big fella, Tony Porter, no bacon butty this time.

Yep we had a golden ball, awarded for golfing brilliance or more often than not golfing muppetry and todays went for the latter catergory.
So Lloyd Lloyd Lloyd, not sure how you missed the sign saying do not use anything above a 7 iron in the practice net but you did. Nice warm up swing and a wedge in your hands, well what can we say as the ball flew up, hit the metal frame of the nets, flew out of the frame over everyone’s heads, bounced once narrowly missing a guest, hitting the pro shop window bouncing into my hands only for me to give it back to you. Yep it was pretty funny and how you avoided any breakages or injury is beyond us all and I would say that getting a euro millions ticket on Tuesday was a good idea.

Just as a note to those newer members and guests that have played with us, it’s not really about your score, it’s about the day, win, lose or draw, good round, bad round, it doesn’t matter at all it’s about enjoying the day with a group of like minded fellas all wanting a laugh and break from the grind of life off the course.
I joined the society in 2001 and quite honestly “papped me keks” first time I played catterick as I was wanting to join that day. I played with my mate Dave Cockett and we shot 115 and 116 respectively and quite honestly we thought we could hear the black balls clicking in Keith’s pocket and being warmed up, but no we were in and in 2005 I won my first trophy “the niblick” for the first time shooting 87 and coming in with 39 points. Mind having said that it’s been 19 years in between, nuff said!

Right finally, feel like I’ve written a book today, the Grand Prix, the one we all want to win
So pre catterick Ross had a healthy lead of 10 points with 73, followed by myself on 63, Ben lambert on 62, Barr and Martin on 58.
To say it would need a set of extraordinary results for that lead to be over turned would be an understatement but yep it nearly happened, but Ross to his credit played very well and came in 6th which gave him a 2 point cushion and the Grand Prix title so very well done Ross, you’ve been in the running for it now for a few years and you’ve finally won your first trophy and it’s a good one to win.
1st Ross 90 points
2nd Blower 88 points
3rd Steve raw 68 points

So nothing much more to say, we’ve already booked a few courses for next year, our new president Kevin McDermid will welcome us in May at our bring a buddy day and get the season under way. Until then if anyone out there likes the cut of our jib and wants to join us for the day please get in touch via this, messenger, what’s app, any guest and you’ll be made more than welcome.

Thanks again to all for coming to a great set of events, fun was easy and golf was played but mostly beer was drunk and good times were had.

22/09/2024

Longridge saw our penultimate event, 27 holes of stableford golf on one of the steepest hills I’ve ever had the pleasure of walking down and up and I have to say it makes the first at Hollins look like a mole hill! In reality, it’s just the first, second, seventeenth and eighteenth that are the killers for a fat old unfit man, the rest of the course in a word is great.
From the moment we landed and were greeted with the welcome sign it just felt like a going day. A course we hadn’t played before although I do think a few members had played it previously (Barr does seemed to of played most courses within a 2 hour drive) it was unknown territory for us all.
Well got to say it’s a hidden gem, the greens were brutal but then again thats its defence as it’s not overly long, but accuracy and finesse were definately the way to play it as sheer length and power often found the proverbial cabbage, out of bounds and lost balls.
I do think in hindsight we will have to award a retrospective golden ball baring in mind the result but more of that later.
So the first at the top of a hill that as a child I would of laid on my side and rolled down and thoroughly enjoyed rolling down it, but as age, a gippy gut, dodgy knees and generally roundness has taken over a vision of a cartoon like snowball gathering more momentum and grass cuttings etc left me thinking I’ll give that one a miss and wish I’d been quicker in the uptake of a buggy spot.
So looking at 312 yards down hill, it’s drivable right, yeah it’s drivable, got to be drivable as me and Dan kept saying and as Nige says why bring the driver with you if you’re not going to use it, watching my playing partners and others sensibly taking irons and utilities then a driver really in hindsight probably wasn’t the best choice I made that day.
Walking down was the easy part, finding one’s ball slightly trickier, and then once at the bottom the realisation I’ve then got to hit a ball a mere 244 yards back up the hill dawned on me that this might be a tougher day than the scorecard depicts.
Once up the hill and across the road in to uncharted fields revealed a series of holes that stretched your game, long par 5s long par 3s and par 4s that seemed reachable but just weren’t in the wind.
So baring in mind that 54 is the target for points to handicap, no one reached it which is either we were all pants on the day or it was a tougher course than we gave it credit for.
First nine saw early leaders in Rambo on 20, Ben lambert and Ed on 19 and a sack full of us languishing a fair few shots back, setting it up for a close completion over the next 18.
So to the result, if we’d known at the time that nick Oliver’s third into the 18 would result in what prevailed he’d of got the golden ball there and then but we just simply missed it but to say that it over shot the green and the banking put there to stop any errant balls from hitting the club house was an understatement, it actually hit the wooden railings which you’ll notice in the photos and bounced back on to the green only for him to cooly 2 putt and claim a valuable 3 points and victory on a count back, so for that alone our new president will be awarding a golden ball next season when you rock up mate.
So to the results

1st with 52 points was Nick Oliver
2nd with 52 too was Steve Calvert
Well done to Steve in his first year as a member
3rd with 50 points was Steve Raw

Longest drive went to steve raw and a bacon butty, nearest the pin and nearest in 2 went to the big fella and he got 2 bacon butties to go with a pair of new balls for his bag

And KJ for first 2 in the society in what would appear an eternity
Steve Calvert won I think the fives and threes trophy so again a tremendous effort in your first year.

So to the thanks , thanks to Longridge for looking after us it was a pleasure to play, Tony for the organising, KJ for the handicapping, Andrew and crew for all the running around, Ally and Barr for the scoring and anyone else I might of missed.

22/09/2024

Everyone’s favourite event, well mine anyway, took place at a newly rearranged staging post of Bentham as the deluge of rain 24 hours earlier took its toll on Kirkby Lonsdale and our Texas scramble completion. Unfortunately the experimental handicapping formula didn’t work for the 3 ball this time so that’s going to take some fiddling with to even up the gap between 4 ballers and 3 balls. A close season conundrum for us to figure out!
We’ve been playing Bentham for years and seen it change significantly over that time, once a waterlogged windy old hole which usually was kind of last on the list to play really has blossomed into a tough, tight and true test of your golf. There really are some great holes out there, love the 3rd, the 4th is as tough as they come usually in to a 2 club wind, the 9th is a great long tough par 4 dog leg followed by one of the prettiest par 3s you ever see and I did have the pleasure of seeing Mr P hole in one it many years ago so I suppose we’ve always had a soft spot for it. The 11th is another signature hole for the course, long uphill drive with some mature oaks to overcome once at the top and green cut into the hill. The odd new hole and enough challenges to keep you honest before a really tough 18th par 4 in front of the terrace bar and your colleagues goading you into shots you will probably fluff and never live down. Got to say I’ve really warmed to Bentham over the years and think there are some cracking golf holes on the course and it’s thoroughly enjoyable to play, the bar, pro shop etc look after you and as a package it is great value for your money.
On a lighter note there’s a relief that the lodges haven’t yet been sited on the 2nd as with our golf there’s a chance damage might well occur in the future, probably not just from our society but other golfers too, but I’d say a badly hooked drive could well potentially lead to some slight soiling!
So the bus was laid on to cater for those fancying a few beverages and lite ales afterwards in Costa del Bentham and if peckish a pizza or kebab to replenish vital lost bodily energy. Just a note to say that salad on a kebab does count as one of your five a day, its on Google so it must be true!
So we had 31 land which gave us 7 teams of 4 and the dreaded single team of 3, apologies to them Ed, Welly and Lloyd.
So the way it goes normally is that the handicap can more often than not decide it, well, not today as fair play to the winners who I believe set off like a man on fire and never looked back being gross 4 under after the front nine which was always going to take some reeling in.
With our resident scramble expert missing (Rob Marshall) there was hope for all the teams and whilst we all tried there was simply no catching the winning team.
So a massive thanks to Bentham for having us last minute and doing what they did to get us in and allow us to have a terrific day out, massive thanks to Tony for rearranging it and the stresses and strains it put us under on the Friday morning, we got there in the end and truth be told it was a smashing day out.

So to the winners in the day

With a gross 68 (3 under par) and a net score of 52.5 was
Stuart Meikle, Dave Winspear, Graham the hat Cunningham and Dan Richardson

2nd was Barr, Kevin Mc, Eddie and Ian Sunter with net 53.1
3rd was Blower, Gaz, Rambo and Gus with net 55.1

Longest drive went to me and nearest to the pin was Lloyd.

So well done to all and thanks for landing.

22/09/2024

So Friday the 16th august saw our annual medal competition as Wearside golf club. This will be brief as I was grooving to Becky Hill at the Hardwicke festival.
A tough enough course with some cracking par 3s and enough trouble if you wanted to find it.
27 holes for medal golf can bring lesser mortals to the verge of nervous breakdown as we struggle to avoid the inevitable 9s and dare I say it double figure holes but we’ve all been there and yep it stings but for some unknown reason or maybe it’s just masochism, we pick up the ball, pop it on a tee and go again.
So a thrilling enough day as 26 of us lined up, nine holes in and a welcome butty, chips and cold beer saw John Neild and Gus sharing the early lead with a clutch of golfers within a handful of shots. I suppose the reality of it is that just about anything can happen in medal as every shot counts, air shots, missed tap ins, hamlet cigar moments in a bunker etc, so for our winner to put a back 18 in that he did was really some effort.
So with 106 the target to play to par over the course, anything close would do it.
So to the winner
With a magnificent back 18 of net 59 was and total net 95 was Johnny Guy, I suspect it’ll be the first of many trophies over the coming years for Johnny and in true society fairness it’s another new member winning something which is a fabulous effort.
Second was John Neild with net 104
Third was Tony Lambert with net 106 which is again a terrific effort.

We had 2 guests land and Jimmy McNamara won a ball for his efforts , so nice one Jimmy.

Usual suspects landed the minor balls, longest drive was the big fella again, nearest in two was Barr and nearest the pin was wince. Apologies if I’ve got those wrong

Angus collected the ecliptic trophy for the second year running, just a point to note it’s not the Jules Rimet so winning it 3 times doesn’t mean you can keep it!
Ally was reunited with his old friend the green man and that’ll be helping him sleep at night for the coming year.

So all there’s left to do is to thanks Wearside for having us and I’m sure we will go back again, thanks to Tony for organising, ally and Barr for keeping us straight on the scoring (tongue in cheek on this one) Keith for handicapping us all, Andrew for running around and our president for a cracking day out.

11/08/2024

So last month saw Romanby host our yearly local course event “The John Brown” trophy in which 38 of us turned out to compete for.
The weather held on for us with just a smattering of very gentle missal in the air but generally it held fair allowing us all to get round without too many hitches.
So again, heck of a turnout for us, 3 guests in Jack Hammond, Shaun Carlin, Jimmy McNamara and 35 of us stalwarts set to do battle over 18 holes stableford on a tricky enough course.
A mixture of young and old holes, long and short, up and down, it has enough variety to keep us honest in places and with a few round wreckers thrown in for good measure. Accuracy on the first sets it up, the second youve got to be brave enough to have a crack at holding a leftish line to have any chance of a par, then a horribly long par 4, followed by a longish uphill trappy par 3 and then the first of 3 par 5s which feel like they'll never end before a bit of respite before a teaser of a 4 thats drivable and far too tempting for the likes of those who can reach. A nice par 3 followed be one of the signature holes the par 5, 9th which is all about acuracy, love it or hate it, theres no doubt its a cracking hole and escaping with a bogey can generally be taken as a good result.
Theres not a lot of help on the back nine either, with one if the best par 3s in the area over the water. Whether to risk an 8 iron as there’s no room for error and you’ve absolutely got to carry 135, hit a good 7 and make it so long as it’s straight, hit a 6 or anything bigger and definately make it but then risk the cabbage behind, it’s reminiscent of the 5th at Rockcliffe and just as tough. And once you’ve got through that ordeal there’s another par 5 that just keeps on going, a brilliant 13th left to righter followed by finally an area of openess that gives you a bit of a rest, another scenic cracking par 5 and then the second toughest hole on the course before the 18th, do I dare have a crack or not hole and as my rounds gone to s**t, bu**er it! Out with the big dog!
So how did we all fair, there was certainly some good rounds in amongst it all and fair play to those who did play well as it’s well deserved.
Highlights of the day had to be that we saw the return of Dennis McGregor for the first time in many a moon and it was great to catch up with him again, Dickie Megson landed along with a returning from injury Woody and Angus, so yep good to see those faces again.
Guessing I ought to get on with the results etc now as I’ve waxed lyrical long enough.
Many thanks to Romanby for hosting us, Tony for organising as we’d be stuck without him and all his hard work, Keith for the handicaps, scotty and Andrew for running around after us and anyone else I’ve forgotten to mention, we can’t do it without the help so it’s appreciated.

Drum roll please for the results:

1st place went to a newbie whose improvement has been remarkable over the year and rather amusingly whose bestie didn’t back him for the day so well done Martin Sunter with 41 points
2nd keeping it in the family went to father in law Ed Ward with 39
3rd went to Andrew Ramsden with another 39 just losing second on the count back.

So brilliant, well done Martin a tremendous effort only matched by the look of sheer shock on your face that yep you’ve won one!

Best guest was Jack Hammond, well done Jack.

Nearest the pin was Jamie Dodd
Nearest the pin in 2 was Stuart Meikle, tbf it was unbeatable being within 12” so well done there. Thankfully you got the birdie.
Longest drive was Jack Hammond

Only one 2 on the day and that went to Kevin Solly who also had a birdie with his second ball on a hole.

Golden balls, well what can we say, a prize for excellence or muppetry depending on which comes first. This event we had 2 winners, Woody and Brian for the usual kn****ng one off the tee and another feet of extraordinary golfness.

So that’s it, thanks to all for attending and making it an excellent day, just time now to mention our next event which is this coming Friday at Wearside, the much maligned annual medal completion, hottly followed by possibly the most fun event the Texas Scramble at Kirkby Lonsdale. Anyone interested in playing either event please get in touch via the usual channels or through messenger etc.

23/06/2024

Sorry for the delay in posting our last day out, life can be hectic at times and living to work or working to live can take over our lives when we least expect. Still so long as we have our health, our loved ones, friends and an escape to the links every now and then what more could we ask for.
Couple of shout outs first.
Congratulations to Doggy and Pauline on Jennas marriage, one down and one to go!
Angus and woody who are well on the mend and will hopefully be back with us soon.
And to the magnificent 7 who should be just about supping a cold one on the patio looking back down the 18th at Kirkby, here’s some light reading whilst you blow the cobwebs out after the festivities last night.
So Friday 7th June saw our second event at keithley golf course. As a society we hadn’t played it so apart from nige who had and refused to go back we were in for a very pleasant surprise. Honestly I loved it, a real gem nestled in the Pennines foothills and one of those textile/woollen mill towns like Otley, Dewsbury, etc that all have a beautiful industrial rawness to them and all seem to have great golf courses.

As a course it was tough, real tough, if you missed the flat stuff then the cabbage was relentless and I can tell you we left a sizeable amount of balls out there for the members to find especially John Barker who I believe now has shares in Srixon and them on speed dial for more balls, best get 3 dozen this time John as there’s plenty of water at Romanby.
Tight and very long in places meant accuracy was a priority. Standing on the first tee with a daunting 438 yard par 4 ahead isn’t made any easier when the author topped his ball 2 yards and put himself in the frame for a golden one later on, however we persevered, only to face a really stunning uphill and tight trappy par 3 followed by more tough holes and then the 6th, possibly one of the longest par 4s we’ve ever played at 459 yards. At this point if you looked at it rationally most of us had probably used up our handicap allowance if it’d been a medal completion and we were still looking at another 21 holes to go……ouch!
The extraordinary 13th, short enough but with a remarkable 2nd needed to get up the hill to find a narrow green with a pile of scrow all around it and then the view back down from the 14th tee was just marvellous.
I guess though in reality when the fella that designed the iconic 18th par 5 at pebble beach is in charge of it all you’re going to get some beauties to play.
Up and down, left and right the holes came thick and fast, each one a test and a joy to play, great greens to overcome, plenty of 3 and 4 putts so even when you finally got there the respite wasn’t over and yet in all of that you came away thinking yep, wow, that was a cracking course and regardless of how well or not you played it was a great day out and worth every moment.
We were made extremely welcome from the first arrival so we have to thank the club and everyone there for that which set up the day ahead, great food, hospitality and course just made for a thoroughly enjoyable day out. We will without doubt be back and with some course knowledge in the locker now it’d be daft not to.
So 27 of us lined up for a stableford competion and a blind pairs trophy to play for. Money was down and pre tee off favourites Stuart, our president and for some unknown reason Nick Oliver? (he was heard to mutter foolish boys occasionally)
So the morning nine usually set the tone for the whole event, generally a morning round isn’t a pre cursor for who’ll win over the 27 as more often than not a better 18 can often claw back the morning and some respectable scores came in notably Doggy and Jaffa both on 18 points with a slew of golfers lining up behind them.
The afternoon saw, wind and sun and some tricky playing conditions but we got there and out winners were;

1st Dave Moore with and excellent 52points
2nd Dickie Barr (for the 2nd event in a row) with 49 points
3rd Dave Allen also with 49 points

Well done Jaffa, it would appear that the new club storage facility in Carperby is working out well for you.

Blind pairs was won by Ross Cadman and Dave Allen, well done to the both of you and in true presidential prerogative the trophy was given to Ross to get engraved.

Nearest the pins were, Jaffa and Stuart Meikle,
No nearest the pin in 2 as it was the 13th which turned out to be a lot tougher than initially thought
Longest drive went to the author (one of the few that didn’t end up behind a tree or in the cabbage) and I’ll take it.

Best guest a the day was Jimmy McNamara, well done Jim, I thoroughly enjoyed the round with you and I’ve popped a picture on of the WC you hit for prosperity. It did make me laugh inside as it was reminiscent of an old Costner film, Tin Cup where the line “ he’s going to hit it off the s**tter door” came to mind.

And finally golden balls, it was a toss up whether I should receive one but I think we had 2 better candidates.
Firstly to our handicap stalwart who “bigged” up our best player to some local members only for mr P to “knob it 80 yards down the fairway”
Secondly Kevin Solly who hit a nice drive down the 8th and faced with a low 180 yard slider under the wind over some GUR mounds lined up a utility and managed to hit a brick in the GUR and watch his ball retreat back past his bag and clubs an additional 100 yards laying up in completely the wrong direction thus leaving a 280 yard 3rd into the green. Think we were on the 12th and could hear the cursing from there.

So the usual thanks go out to Keithley for putting up with us and making us feel exceptionally welcome, Tony for organising, Keith for the handicapping and addition interests, Ally and Barr for keeping us all correct with the scores and anyone else who helped out where they could, we couldn’t do it without the help so big thanks from all of us.
A light hours pit stop in skipton in the way home to watch a depressing England team on telly didn’t dampen the mood at all but made everyone’s favourite Scotsman happy at least.
Next event is at Romanby, 18 holes stableford for the John Brown trophy on the Saturday the 20th July. Been a while since we’ve been, great course, some great holes, plenty of water and trees which I think Doggy might of planted? So it’s his fault if he did and isn’t if he didn’t.
Of course non of us will forget the last winner there and it was wince who in true style after he’d mopped up with something like 46 points came out with a classic “wince ism” and that was that he knew he was going to win that day but never told anyone so no one backed him.

Upper Wensleydale Golf Society

18/06/2025

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