Totally Dumbstruck

May 12 2008 by The Journal

Bishop Auckland's Steve Keay could not believe his luck in winning one of De Vere Slaley Hall's spot the ball competitions but he was totally dumbstruck when he won the final prize - golf and leisure membership for a year for two people worth more than £2000. From June to December, De Vere Slaley Hall challenged Golf North East readers to use their golfing knowledge and skill to spot the golf ball on the resort's two championship courses.

The monthly winners all won a days golf for four on the Hunting or Priestman courses followed by a two-course meal in the hotel's newly refurbished clubhouse, The Claret Jug.

Last month, all the winners along with a guest were invited back to Slaley for a further round of golf followed by the draw for the top prize.

Steve said: "I can't believe it; I'm absolutely over the moon. Believe it or not, I make a point of picking up a copy of Golf North East every month when it comes out and I read it from cover to cover. There are usually quite a few competitions and I thought it was worth ago at the spot the ball - well worth the 39p for a stamp!"

He added: "It will be interesting to see how many friends I've got now for the second membership. My wife doesn't play, so I'll quite happily give it away to one of them providing we get the benefit from it. I think though, that I'll have to do some work on my game and invest in some lessons. To play here to handicap is going to be a big challenge for me."

Although Steve has been playing golf for 15 years, he has only being playing competitive golf for the last two seasons. He said: "I was a member at Brancepeth for ten years but I only played on weekdays and usually hacked the ball round the course by myself. I then moved to Bishop Auckland where my handicap is 22 but it's going to be hard work to play to that around here."

As Steve says, for the price of a stamp the next big winner could be you ...