Top 100 golf clubs are enjoying their time in the inaugural 2022 National Inter-Clubs Mixed Team Championships.
Three clubs who regularly appear in the prestigious national listings of the country’s most challenging and beautiful courses have made it through to the second round – and a step nearer the national finals in Portugal.
Hampshire’s Stoneham GC enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Skylark GC while Surrey’s Camberley Heath GC ended the run of Sussex’s Royal Eastbourne GC, again with a 4-1 triumph and Northampton County GC overcame Staverton Park GC 3.5-1.5.
In the Midlands, a strong turn-out from Lincolnshire teams saw Belton Woods GC A edge Stoke Rochford GC 3-2 while Forest Pines GC enjoyed a comprehensive 5-0 win over Holme Hall GC.
There was a close encounter in Nottinghamshire where Beeston Fields GC pipped Chilwell Manor GC 3-2 with two matches going to extra holes.
Meanwhile in Leicestershire, Beedles Lake GC enjoyed a perfect start to their campaign with a 5-0 victory over Loughborough’s Longcliffe GC.
And another tight game saw Cheshire’s Vale Royal Abbey GC edge their away match with Eaton (Chester) GC to earn a second round home game against Mold GC, from north Wales.
In the west country, Somerset’s Worlebury GC won their clash with Gloucestershire’s Lilley Brook GC – inspired by an epic comeback from their first pair.
Emma and Ross Bourton were four down with five to play – only to win the last five holes to give their team a brilliant start.
Nicola and Chris Wagstaff gave Lilley Brook hope with a 5&4 victory, but wins for Helen Clarke & Steve Taylor, Sam & Graham Hewlett and Audrey Cowlin & Andy Taylor secured the victory.
Next up is a trip to Herefordshire’s Leominster GC who enjoyed an emphatic 5-0 triumph against Worcester GC.
Devon’s Exminster GC earned themselves a second round home tie against Dorset’s Dudsbury GC after an impressive 4-1 away win against Ashley Wood GC.
Up the road in Hampshire, another county with another strong entry from clubs, Burley GC got the better of Barton on Sea GC, winning 3.5-1.5, while
In the northern division, Scarborough South Cliff GC defeated Whitby GC 4-1 while Wakefield’s Woolley Park GC made light work of their visit to York GC – winning 5-0, albeit with several tight games and Rochdale GC edged Westhoughton GC 3-2.
Finally in Surrey, Sunbury GC A enjoyed an emphatic 5-0 victory over Royal Mid Surrey GC B.