Saltburn in Dixon triumph

Oct 9 2008 by Golf North East

SALTBURN were crowned the region's champion club after their unexpected win in the Dixon Cup at Hartlepool.

The Teesside Union top dogs became the second team from their league to win the North East's official club championship following Eaglescliffe's 2006 success.

The cup is a scratch strokeplay competition for the clubs who win the five golf leagues in the North East, with the best six scores counting from teams of seven.

Saltburn's total was 439, six clear of runners-up and favourites Hexham, from the Hadrian League - who had the consolation of taking the President's Cup for the best individual card, Philip Waugh's 68.

Bamburgh Castle (Kaims County Park North Northumberland League) came third on 447, Whickham (Maxim Cleaning Services North Durham Union) fourth on 456 and Prudhoe (Newcastle & District League) last on 463.

Remarkably, Saltburn had two of their best youngsters on show - 17-year-old Ron Brown and Chris Alcock, who is only 15 - while the vastly experienced Noel Emmerson, Jason Jones and Julian Jackson gave the side real backbone.

Colin Mussett, the Dixon Cup organiser, said: "This win was down to Saltburn's consistency. They returned good scores all the way down the team."