PRUDHOE Golf Club is really living up to its “Home of Champions” tag in 2010 . . . winning a golf league is always a great achievement, but to win two in the same season is something really special.

And that’s what Prudhoe has done, capturing both the Newcastle & District and Hadrian Leagues in successive weeks. In each case, the teams had to do it the hard way, travelling as league leaders to tough away matches against the second placed clubs in the last matches of the season.

Both leagues have 16 clubs, six of which play in both leagues. According to the District League, established in 1951, and the Hadrian League (1974), the double has never been done before. It nearly happened in 2009 when Prudhoe won the Hadrian League for the third time and finished runners up in the District League which they have now won six times.

One of the benefits of winning a league title is the opportunity to play in the Dixon Cup – an end of season strokeplay tournament for the winners of all five leagues in the North East. The 2010 “Champion of Champions” scratch shoot-out is at Arcot Hall on September 26. Each title-winning club has to field a team of seven golfers, giving Prudhoe the enviable problem of having to find 14 of their lowest handicap players.

Club captain Malcolm Ward ran the District League squad while vice captain, Phil Pallister was responsible for the Hadrian side.

“Our policy has been to field the strongest sides possible in each league team,” said Malcolm. “However, some players don’t have the time to play in both sides. But, during the season we have used only 14 of our best players for the six-man league teams and the two reserves needed.

“I am very proud of the players’ achievement which really shows their commitment to the club and themselves. I am also so grateful to all the supporters who have travelled many miles to encourage the lads.”