Harburn Club Championship Finals day
Henderson trio triumph in historic Championship wins
It was a Club Championship to remember for the Henderson clan as father Nick took the honours winning the Gents Club Championship and son Ryan winning the ”C” Class event and their namesake Alistair winning the “B” Class making it a unique occurrence where all three winners have the same surname.
Our Club Champion Nick Henderson last lifted the trophy in 2001 - some 24 years ago - and the win today gave him a fantastic “double” having been crowned Gents Seniors Champion last month.
Nick took on the Under 30’s Champion Paul Adamson in today’s 36 hole final in what was a fantastic contest played in the warmest conditions we can remember on Finals Day. Paul got the better of a really tight morning contest taking a 1 hole lead into the afternoon play.
Nick had to rely on his wealth of match-play experience in the second round to get the better of his younger opponent who fought hard all the way. Nick got himself into a position of 2 up after the 34th hole and needed a half at the 35th to take the title which he duly did with a majestic pitch to around 7 feet and a simple two putts to earn a 2&1 win and give him the long awaited championship win.
Huge credit to both players having played 7 rounds of golf in a week!
Not only was Nick delighted to win for himself but 30 minutes earlier his son Ryan took the C Class title beating our young Norwegian player Jurgen Vatn at the 17th hole, making it a double for the family. This was another tight affair and just like his Dad he was behind at the half way stage. However a fantastic three hole sequence of wins at 10,11 and 12 turned the game around in Ryan’s favour.
Jurgen produced a brilliant birdie at 15 to narrow the lead to just one but an errant tee shot at 16 handed Ryan his two hole advantage back and a half at 17 was good enough to give Ryan victory.
The Henderson “treble” was duly completed by Alistair who had to use his wealth of match play experience and guile to see off new member Gordon Ireland at the 18th hole. Alistair played very steady golf tee to green all day and an unlucky second shot to the 18th green by Gordon saw his ball roll into a greenside bunker which cost him his par and the match.
All three Gents matches were tight, all going to the final or penultimate hole.
In the Ladies Championship Finals it was another contest between Harburn’s top ladies players Jennifer Bryans and Aileen Kennedy.
Each year recently both players have wrestled the title from each other so no surprise that reigning champion Aileen was keen to keep hold of the trophy this year.
However, it was Jennifer who started best going 3 up after four holes and she extended her lead to 5 up at the turn but an uncharacteristic mistake at the 10th, putting the ball in the water gave Aileen a lifeline , which she took advantage of winning one back.
A poor tee shot at 11 had Aileen on the back foot and Jennifer restored her lead and was never troubled again on the home stretch coming in and won convincingly in the end.
The Ladies Handicap Championship Final was played between Sarah Mcgregor and Janet Hardie and it was Janet who started the best playing some very consistent golf from the off with Sarah struggling to stay with her.
Four up after 10 holes gave Janet a comfortable lead and although Sarah battled hard to stay in the game Janet was a worthy winner on the 15th green. This was Janet's first victory in the event for 49 years. Well done Janet well worth waiting on!
A huge thanks to the greenkeeping team for presenting the course in fabulous condition this week and to all the members and families of the players for giving such great support and encouragement all week.
Thanks to all the caddies who gave up their time to be "on the bag" for their respective players and to all the qualifiers this week,well done!
Finally, huge thanks to the M&H teams for administering the Championships so well this week and for the narrative updates each night of the competition results, and to Kevin for his social media updates whilst on holiday in Germany.
A great week at Harburn GC.
Our Club Champion Nick Henderson last lifted the trophy in 2001 - some 24 years ago - and the win today gave him a fantastic “double” having been crowned Gents Seniors Champion last month.
Nick took on the Under 30’s Champion Paul Adamson in today’s 36 hole final in what was a fantastic contest played in the warmest conditions we can remember on Finals Day. Paul got the better of a really tight morning contest taking a 1 hole lead into the afternoon play.
Nick had to rely on his wealth of match-play experience in the second round to get the better of his younger opponent who fought hard all the way. Nick got himself into a position of 2 up after the 34th hole and needed a half at the 35th to take the title which he duly did with a majestic pitch to around 7 feet and a simple two putts to earn a 2&1 win and give him the long awaited championship win.
Huge credit to both players having played 7 rounds of golf in a week!
Not only was Nick delighted to win for himself but 30 minutes earlier his son Ryan took the C Class title beating our young Norwegian player Jurgen Vatn at the 17th hole, making it a double for the family. This was another tight affair and just like his Dad he was behind at the half way stage. However a fantastic three hole sequence of wins at 10,11 and 12 turned the game around in Ryan’s favour.
Jurgen produced a brilliant birdie at 15 to narrow the lead to just one but an errant tee shot at 16 handed Ryan his two hole advantage back and a half at 17 was good enough to give Ryan victory.
The Henderson “treble” was duly completed by Alistair who had to use his wealth of match play experience and guile to see off new member Gordon Ireland at the 18th hole. Alistair played very steady golf tee to green all day and an unlucky second shot to the 18th green by Gordon saw his ball roll into a greenside bunker which cost him his par and the match.
All three Gents matches were tight, all going to the final or penultimate hole.
In the Ladies Championship Finals it was another contest between Harburn’s top ladies players Jennifer Bryans and Aileen Kennedy.
Each year recently both players have wrestled the title from each other so no surprise that reigning champion Aileen was keen to keep hold of the trophy this year.
However, it was Jennifer who started best going 3 up after four holes and she extended her lead to 5 up at the turn but an uncharacteristic mistake at the 10th, putting the ball in the water gave Aileen a lifeline , which she took advantage of winning one back.
A poor tee shot at 11 had Aileen on the back foot and Jennifer restored her lead and was never troubled again on the home stretch coming in and won convincingly in the end.
The Ladies Handicap Championship Final was played between Sarah Mcgregor and Janet Hardie and it was Janet who started the best playing some very consistent golf from the off with Sarah struggling to stay with her.
Four up after 10 holes gave Janet a comfortable lead and although Sarah battled hard to stay in the game Janet was a worthy winner on the 15th green. This was Janet's first victory in the event for 49 years. Well done Janet well worth waiting on!
A huge thanks to the greenkeeping team for presenting the course in fabulous condition this week and to all the members and families of the players for giving such great support and encouragement all week.
Thanks to all the caddies who gave up their time to be "on the bag" for their respective players and to all the qualifiers this week,well done!
Finally, huge thanks to the M&H teams for administering the Championships so well this week and for the narrative updates each night of the competition results, and to Kevin for his social media updates whilst on holiday in Germany.
A great week at Harburn GC.