A Close Thing For Amateur Classic

Feb 18 2009 The Journal

The Golf North East Gents Amateur Classic is now into its sixth year and we are pleased to announce that Close House is to take over as the official sponsor of the competition and will be hosting the final on Thursday, September 3, 2009. Initially launched in 2004 and sponsored by Mill Volvo, the final was held at Consett Golf Club and on the day that Bernard Langer lifted the Ryder Cup, Martin Ellis from South Shields was presented with our crystal claret jug.

This competition has now become well established in the golfing calendar and hopefully this year, the weather will be a lot kinder and we won't have a repeat of last year's dreadful summer.

All North East Golf clubs will shortly be receiving an invitational letter and will be asked to nominate one Gents Medal throughout the season to act as a qualifying competition. There is no cost attached to the entry however there is a minimum age of 18 years and a handicap limit of 18 on the day of the final.

The winner of the qualifying competition will represent their club in the final with a chance of winning our magnificent crystal claret jug trophy which will retained by the player's home club for 12 months.

The 2009 champion will also receive a replica trophy and an invitation to take part in the Golf North East and Golfing Holidays Algarve Invitational Tournament week in Portugal in November.

In addition, there will be prizes for those players finishing in the top 12 and on-course prizes for closest to the pins and longest drive and so on.

On the day of the final, all players will receive coffee and biscuits on arrival and a two-course meal after playing their matches. The day will be comprehensively covered in the following edition of Golf North East along with photographs and details of the day's events.

John Glendinning, the Golf Manager at Close House, said: "We are very privileged to be holding the Gents Amateur Classic final. It is a great event and is obviously going from strength to strength each year.

"With all the facilities improving here at Close House, it's a terrific final for us to stage and

hopefully the qualifiers will enjoy playing the golf course and seeing the improvements we have been making."

He added: "I think the course will be a good test. The greens are quite tricky and although the course isn't the longest course in the world, it is challenging and I think the players will find it enjoyable and a very good test. The course will be set up to play its full length and hopefully the greens will be at their quickest."

Since his purchase of the golf course, Close House Mansion and the estate, owner Graham Wylie has overseen the transformation of the course into one of the finest in Northumberland.

Opened for play in June 2007, the new layout at Close House offers a great challenge to golfers of all abilities and with its USGA specification sloping greens, four new holes and a longer length, the course has now become one of the most sought after venues in the North East of England.

Although the new 'top spec' club house will not be ready for the event, all the qualifiers will have the opportunity to relax and dine in the luxurious mansion house overlooking the 5th and 7th greens.

Here at Golf North East, we are looking forward to our relationship with John and his staff and we firmly believe that this year's event will be better than ever.

All golf club secretaries and managers are asked to register their intention to participate in this year's tournament no later than March 31st along with the date of their nominated qualifying competition.