Teams in the inaugural 2022 National Inter-Clubs Mixed Team Championships have been quick off the block to arrange their early season matches.
Taking advantage of the sunny spring weather, several sides have already progressed to the second round and one step closer to the finals in Portugal later this year.
Royal Eastbourne GC benefitted from home advantage against Surrey’s Clandon Regis GC to run out 4-1 winners and earn a trip to picturesque Camberley Heath GC.
At the other end of the country, City of Newcastle GC are one of several clubs who have entered two sides into the competition.
And their A team started the season with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Warkworth GC. City of Newcastle B will join them is they can overcome Stocksfield GC.
Another Newcastle side (Newcastle under Lyme GC in Staffordshire) also have two teams in the championships – with their A team also progressing by the narrowest of margins.
Travelling to Branston GC, Newcastle edged a terrific game 3-2 – with two of their victories coming on the 18th green (recently voted the best closing hole in Staffordshire) and one on the 19th.
Also making it through to round two are Dorset’s Dudsbury GC, who pipped Knighton Heath GC 3-2 in the south-west division.
The only inter-clubs national mixed team championships in the country, sides are split into different regions and play each other in a knockout format – with the four regional winners qualifying for the national finals in Portugal in November.