Stoneham GC were crowned national mixed team champions today after a fantastic finale to the inaugural 2022 British Clubs Mixed Championships.
The Hampshire top 100 club defeated Northumberland’s Stocksfield GC 3.5-1.5 to take the title in beautiful sunshine at Boavista GC in Portugal’s beautiful western Algarve.
Louise and Mark Caplen gave the Southampton side the perfect start with a two hole victory over Finton Kealy and Jo Blackburn in a game that went to the last hole.
Mother and son combination Linda and Ben Squire gave Stocksfield hope with a convincing 5&4 win over Bridget Stow and Neil Beazley in the second game.
But Sandy Wiswould and Khalid Aslam triumphed 3&2 over Alison and Simon Martin while Rachel Hanbury and Gordon Harris beat Sonia and Raymond Kennedy 4&3.
That meant the last game which ended in a tie between Stoneham’s Elaine and Graham Hutchins and Stocksfield’s Sue Brown and Gary Kennedy didn’t need to go to extra holes.
In the third-place play-off between Bedfordshire GC and Belton Woods GC, it was the Lincolnshire side that emerged triumphant – edging a close game 3-2.
And with celebrations due to continue into the night, all four sides – regional winners in their own right – were already making plans to return next year.
The three-day event was the culmination of several months of fierce competition between clubs from all over England, Scotland and Wales.
Each club entered sides of five mixed pairs and then competed over five rounds in the four regions to determine the four semi-finalists and a special trip to the finals in Portugal.
Entries have opened for the 2023 competitions. Just email info@mixedgolfevents.com to enter.