Silver salver for James

Oct 9 2008 by Golf North East

COUNTY Durham youngster James Ibbetson has lifted the region's premier title for young golfers - the golf North East Junior Champion of Champions title.

Following the success of the inaugural event held last year at Stocksfield Golf Club, James, a member at the Hobson, won the Silver Salver by two shots.

Played this year at Ravensworth Golf Club, James produced solid golf to score a gross 69, one under par.

He said: "This has been a great day. The course was in good condition considering the summer we have had and I played well. I couldn't believe the prizes, they are fantastic."

Daniel Coffey from Whitburn continued his good form and following both his victories in Whitburn's Junior and Senior club championships, he took second place on countback with a gross 71.

Sam Gattens from Alnwick finished third, also on countback, with 71.

Although James fully deserved his victory, Rebecca McGinley, representing Garesfield, and one of just two young ladies in the field, is worth a mention.

She finished in fourth place with 72 minus one courtesy shot, for a 71. At one point in her round, Rebecca looked to be running away with the title.

With three birdies and no dropped shots, she reached the turn in a brilliant 32, three under par.

Unfortunately, Rebecca couldn't keep it going, dropping five shots on the back nine and ruining what would have been an outstanding round of golf. However, her score of 72 set a new ladies course record beating Lynn Steerman's 74 by two shots.

The other young lady in the field, 14-year-old Nicola Haynes from Northumberland Golf Club also deserves a mention.

Although she had no chance in the main event, she played under her handicap scoring 82-13 for a nett 69. And as a consolation, she won a nearest the pin prize at the 154-yard par 3 fifth hole.

The nett trophy was won by 10-handicapper Chris White from Rothbury Golf Club with an excellent 63, which was two shots better than Joshua Timmins and Simon Jones.

A number of North East clubs were not represented at Ravensworth due to the weather throughout August, resulting in postponements of their own junior club championships - but hopefully next summer will be better!

Following the tournament, Ravensworth's club captain Stan Lynch hosted the prize giving ceremony along with Gillian Corney from Golf North East.

Paul Reed from Srixon Sports Europe Ltd. couldn't attend on the day due to prior work commitments, but he did send this message: "Srixon are very proud to once again sponsor the prizes for the Golf North East Junior Champion of Champions event following the tremendous success of the tournament at Stocksfield Golf Club last year.

"I am sure that this year's event has been just as keenly contested and that Ravensworth has proved to be a fair test of golf and produced another worthy champion.

"Bill Symonds and I are very sorry that we can't be there in person as we have been attending Srixon's Annual Sales Conference in London today but we send our congratulations to the prize-winners, our commiserations to those who missed out and our thanks to all at Ravensworth Golf Club for hosting this year's event.

"Finally, our special thanks also go to Paul and Gillian from Golf North East magazine who have worked hard to turn their great idea into a great event and I hope we can continue to support it for many years to come."

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Golf North East Junior Champion  of Champions 2008

Ravensworth Golf Club

Friday 29th August 2008

Pos Name Club Score Nett

1. James Ibbetson Hobson 69 67

2. Daniel Coffey Whitburn 71 68

Sam Gattens Alnwick 71 66

Rebecca McGinley Garesfield 71 71

5. Niall Mannion Teesside 72 71

Elliot Wilson Goswick 72 71

Joshua Timmins Beamish Park 72 65

8. Chris White Rothbury 73 63

Simon Jones Billingham 73 65

Josh Slinger Richmond 73 68

Greg Southwick Houghton-le-Spring 73 69

13. Adam Reay Ravensworth 74 72

Daniel Brown Bedale 74 70

Zak Laws City of Newcastle 74 70

James Simpson Whickham 74 72

Andrew Hastings Consett 74 69

18. Joe Hellens Ramside Hall 76 70

David Burn Woodham 76 71

David Twizell Tynemouth 76 71

Edward Coultas Durham City 76 72

Kieran Ayre Wearside 76 69

23. James Ashton Chester-le Street 77 71

John Howarth Brancepeth Castle 77 73

Andrew Scrimshaw Prudhoe 77 76

26. Daniel Deakin Parklands 78 74

Jake Glendinning M'bro Municipal 78 73

Andrew Gibson Arcot Hall 78 75

Will Brown Hunley Hall 78 76

Chris Parker Birtley 78 74

31. Ryan Chambers Blyth 79 72

James Morrison Washington 79 75

Thomas Hoggan Bellingham 79 74

Lee Warren Newbiggin-by-the-Sea 79 74

James Gerencer Boldon 79 72

36. Kevin Lavery South Shields 80 75

Ali Bailey Longhirst 80 70

Joe Henderson Warkworth 80 68

39. Adam Dutson Roseberry Grange 81 70

Thomas Rowland Slaley Hall 81 77

Joseph Wilson Heworth 81 76

42. Nicola Haynes Northumberland 82 69

43. Chris Simmons Newcastle United 83 79

44. Andrew Stokoe Backworth 84 79

Stephen Johnstone Linden Hall 84 81

46. Andy Thornton Morpeth 86 82

47. Mark Smith Ryton 87 72

Shaun Lambert Thirsk & Northallerton 87 78

49. Dominic Bell Westerhope 92 76

Joe Weddell Alnmouth Village 92 80

51. Michael Handy South Moor 94 80

No Returns:- Andrew Glendinning, Tyneside

CSS - 69

On Course Prizes

Nearest the Pin (5th) - Nicola Haynes (Northumberland)

Nearest the Pin (14th) - Jake Glendinning (M'bro Municipal)

Longest Drive (12th) - Andy Thornton (Morpeth)