Paisley free for Arcot challenge

Jun 18 2009 by Tim Taylor, The Journal

CHRIS Paisley’s premature exit from the British Amateur has left him free to play a part in Arcot Hall’s already highly successful centenary season.

In their time, Arcot have staged Open qualifying and ladies European Tour events on their James Braid-designed course and they are going to great lengths to make their 100th year something special.

Paisley, from the Stocksfield club, who holds a top-20 spot in the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings, is now available to go for his second Northumberland County Championship title.

Arcot are the host club and Paisley will be going round their course twice in the 36-hole strokeplay qualifying tournament on Saturday, teeing off at 9.06am and 1.52pm.

This week’s blip for Paisley at Formby has already been brushed aside by last year’s English Amateur finalist, one of the most positive-minded men in golf.

He said yesterday: “I have put my disappointment in the British Amateur aside.

“It’s on to the next tournament and I am looking forward to playing at Arcot Hall.”

The matchplay rounds of the county championship start on Wednesday and finish the following Saturday. Wednesday is also the date allocated to Goswick for regional qualifying for The Open Championship, although Paisley is exempt until the final qualifying stage.

Arcot’s immediate festivities start on Friday, when the Duchess of Northumberland will open their newly-restored walled garden, which used to be impressive until, as committee man Jim Pearson, put it, “It all fell into rack and ruin”.

The 71-year-old Pearson, a former secretary and captain at Close House and a keen gardener, has led a six-strong team from the club who have spent almost four years putting things to right.

“It looks great now, about the third of the size of a football pitch and an absolute picture,” said Pearson.

“And to get the duchess here to open it, well, that’s like having your golden goose and all your golden eggs coming in one year.”

Sunday brings to Arcot an occasion for their members which could well become standard procedure at all clubs every year, a family day including a hog roast.

It includes a Territorial Army climbing frame, birds of prey, a magician, face painting, and Greek style smashing of cutlery.

One of Arcot’s best known former juniors and top amateurs is Andrew Leach, the custom-fit clubs expert whose ZFL Golf company in Benton do a lot to support the sport.

And a club member of 40 years’ standing is Ray Whiteman, who organises the Newcastle and District League so efficiently.

No doubt all the above, and many more, will earn honourable mentions in the club’s centenary history, being written by Alan Hedley, the former golf and rugby editor of The Journal.

Alan said: “How many golf clubs do you know who have their own ghost and where there have been two murders and at least two more suspicious deaths?

“And how many golf clubs do you know who have a clubhouse built with the spoils of soldiering in India?

“Or who lost their original course in a compulsory purchase and survived a traumatic move to flourish on a lay-out designed by James Braid, one of the game’s greats who made such a good job of it that little has needed to be changed over the years.

“This is all true of Arcot Hall, which began life as Benton Park Golf Club.”

ALAN Hedley would like to hear from anyone who may have any information, brochures programmes photographs about Arcot Hall down the years.

He can be contacted on (07702) 886057 or by email on alanhedley937 @btinternet.com