THE 2010 season is upon us and yes, it’s time to get your entries sent in for the Golf North East Match Play Pairs Classic tournaments.
Looking back, it only seems like yesterday when we launched the gents’ competition in 2002. That year the final was held at Slaley Hall where Chris Wall and Marc Newcombe from Cleveland Golf Club lifted the trophy with a 3 & 2 victory over the Hydro players Paul Clarke and Shaun Collier.
The following year, Consett seniors Barry Bromley and Geoff Cook reached the final, again played at Slaley Hall, where they beat Ian Lumsden and Ian Smith from Wearside 4 & 3.
Having now launched a ladies’ event, Ramside Hall was the venue for the 2004 finals. In the gents’ competition, Keith Ridden and Leon Masterman from City of Newcastle took the championship with a 2 & 1 victory over Durham City’s Clive Oliphant and Alan Oliver. And in the ladies’ final, Slaley Hall’s Linda Golightly and Chris Walby surrendered a five-hole lead to lose to Lynne Liddle and Linda Wilson from Gosforth 2 & 1.
In 2005, the ladies’ competition failed to generate enough entries and had to be discontinued. That year the gents’ final was played at Brancepeth Castle where Bishop Auckland duo Sean Nevin and Graham Flockett were triumphant with a 3 & 2 victory against Shaun Coyle and Brian Cole from Billingham.
A mixed event was introduced in 2006 with the finals being staged at Matfen Hall Golf Club. In the gents’ competition, Neil Elborn and Steve Slater from City of Newcastle were crowned champions following a two-hole victory over Gordon Dance and David Hopper from Ramside Hall. And in the mixed, Linden Hall’s Barry Guy and Sarah Phillips triumphed against Iben and John Cocker 2 & 1.
