Teams have battled through high winds, rain and sodden courses to enjoy a successful start to the 2024 British Clubs Mixed Championships.
Sussex debutants Eastbourne Downs GC enjoyed 3.5-1.5 victory in their first round local derby against Royal Eastbourne GC.
Eastbourne were 3-1 up, meaning the final pair didn’t need to complete their match after finishing the 18th hole still locked at all square.
It was a similar story for another newcomer Goodwood GC, who pipped Littlehampton GC 3-2 away from home with four of the five games going to the 18th. Both Sussex sides will now meet each other in round two.
Kent’s Nizels GC have two teams this season and have started well with a 4-1 victory over newcomers Sweetwoods Park GC. Next up is a trip to Royal Mid Surrey B, who saw off Clandon Regis A 4-1
Meanwhile in Surrey, the Drift GC beat Betchworth Park GC 5-0, newcomers Windlesham GC edged Farnham GC 3-2 while Camberley Heath GC pipped Foxhills GC by the same score.
One of the closest ties of the round saw four matches go to the 18th and one to the 19th as Clandon Regis GC B edged Enfield GC 3-2.
In Bedfordshire, Cainhoe Woods GC won 3-2 away against Bedford & County GC and will now host 2022 finalists Bedfordshire GC, who also won 3-2 away, this time against Northamptonshire County A GC.
2023 finalists Brampton Park GC started their campaign well with a 4-1 away triumph over Cambridgeshire neighbours March GC. Next up is a home tie against Links GC, who saw off Flempton GC 5-0.
Over in the south-west, Rowlands Castle GC enjoyed a well-earned 3-2 away victory over Southampton newcomers Boundary Lakes GC while debutants South Winchester won 3.5-1.5 against Barton-on-Sea.
Reigning champions Brickendon Grange A are up and running again – but only just after scraping past Buckinghamshire debutants Burnham Beeches GC.
It was left to the final pair to clinch victory with the match tied at 2-2 – and they did so on the first extra hole after the game was all square after 18.
They will now play Mill Ride GC after the Berkshire side enjoyed a 5-0 victory over Eton College GC.
Another Berkshire side debutants Newbury & Crookham GC pipped Royal Ascot GC 3-2 to earn a home tie against Romsey GC, who edged Royal Winchester GC 3-2.
Leominster GC B produced an impressive performance – travelling to Worcester GC and winning 4-1 to earn a home tie against Bewdley Pines GC, who defeated Moor Park GC 4.5-0.5.
Somerset’s Worleybury GC won 5-0 against Exminster GC, although individual matches were much closer than the score suggests.
Two Cornwall teams have made it through to round two after China Fleet GC defeated Exeter GC 4-1 and Lanhydrock GC pipped Stover GC 3-2.
In the Midlands, Norwood Park GC defeated Wollaton Park GC and will host another Nottinghamshire side Beeston Fields GC, who conquered Chilwell Manor GC 5-0.
Newcomers Heacham Manor GC just got the better of Norfolk neighbours Barnham Broom GC 3-2
In Leicestershire’s Kibworth GC beat Willesley Park GC 4-1 and will now visit Glen Gorse GC, who edged Market Harborough GC 3-2.
In Derbyshire, Beedles Lake GC enjoyed a well-deserved away victory over Derby GC 3.5-1.5 to set up a home tie against Bakewell GC, who replicated the performance and the score against Erewash Valley GC.
Lilleshall Hall GC won the all-Shropshire clash with Shrewsbury GC and they will now travel to Newcastle-under-Lyme GC, who pipped their Staffordshire rivals Ingestre Park GC 3-2.
In Cheshire, debutants Mellor GC proved too strong for Lymm GC, winning 5-0 in cold and wet conditions while in Lincolnshire Belton Park GC beat Belton Woods B team 5-0 and will now visit Belton Woods A team, who edged Forest Pines GC 3-2.
Eaton (Chester) GC enjoyed mixed fortunes with their two teams – with their A side beating Mold GC 5-0 and their B team losing 4-1 against Portal GC.
Flying the flag for Wales in the second round is Maesdu (Llandudno) GC, who got past last year’s finalists Rhos-on-Sea GC 4-1.
Further north, a terrific Lancashire derby between Nelson GC and Burney GC went to the fifth pair and the 19th hole with the match poised at 2-2.
And it was the away team who held their nerve as Burnley edged the final hole to earn their slot in round two against Fleetwood GC, who overcame Rochdale GC 3.5-1.5.
In Yorkshire, Wakefield’s Woolley Park GC pipped Ryburn GC 3-2, Howley Hall GC defeated Wetherby GC 5-0, Catterick GC beat Wilton GC 4-1 and 2023 finalists Scarborough South Cliff GC overcame York GC 5-0.
In Northumberland, another competitive entry has seen City of Newcastle GC start well with a 5-0 victory over Bamburgh Castle GC.
They couldn’t quite make it two teams out of two into the second round however as their B side lost 3-2 away to 2022 finalists Stocksfield GC.
This year’s four regional winners will qualify for the finals at Celtic Manor Resort in south Wales at the end of September.