Top Honour For Hunley

Nov 4 2009 The Journal

THE cream of England's young golfing talent has been on show at Hunley Hall in North Yorkshire. The cliff-top course at Brotton near Saltburn has just staged the prestigious England v Ireland Under-16 boys international.

The English squad swept to a comfortable victory 16.5-3.5 in the two-day weekend event, which is the first international to take place at the club since it opened in 1993.

Hunley has been host to several Yorkshire Union divisional championships, but this was the first time it has had the privilege of holding an event of such stature. The golf club and hotel were chosen for the high standards of the golfing facilities on offer, the comfortable accommodation available and the unrivalled location, set amidst the North Yorkshire countryside and on the doorstep of the nearby Heritage Coast.

Three sets of matches took place across the two days with four foursome matches, followed by eight singles matches on day one and another eight singles matches on day two.

All the matches were played over Hunley's Morgan's Course which, at almost 6,900 yards with small and undulating greens, presented a fair challenge to all the players.

England was represented by Colin Walsh, Liam Harper, Toby Tree, Sam Edwards, Nick Newbold, Oliver Carr, Max Orrin and Seb Crookall-Nixon.

England manager Tommy Flinn said: "We have found ourselves a real jewel of a venue. That has only been made possible because Hunley Hall was kind enough to fit in with our modest budget because they wanted the honour of supporting England.

"I wish the sort of memorable experience we have had at Hunley could be laid on everywhere we take the boys.

"The Morgan's Course at Hunley is a great test of golf with superb coastal views and it is beautifully manicured.

"Then there is the advantage of a hotel being on site, so the lads don't have to commute.

"And the food and the service has been absolutely magnificent. Hunley Hall have done themselves - and England - proud."

The Morgan's Course is noted for its tricky dog-legs, plateau greens with small and undulating surfaces, and fearsome water hazards.