The white rose of Yorkshire bloomed for the second successive year as the Virgin Atlantic PGA National Pro-Am Championship supported by SkyCaddie went back to 'God's own county'. In the tropical climes of the Bahamas it was Pannal Golf Club that etched itself into PGA history with victory in Europe's largest pro-am, which saw more than 50,000 amateurs and 700 clubs embark on the chase for the cherished silverware.

It ended up in the firm grip of PGA professional Dave Padgett and amateur partner Jonathan Honeysett, who basked in glory with a one shot success after two majestic days of golf over the sun-kissed Emerald Reef Golf Course at Sandals Emerald Bay Resort on the island of Great Exuma (pictured). The Harrogate-based duo were overjoyed having come from a shot behind the overnight leaders Windermere to capture the title, which also secured Padgett a £5,000 winner's cheque. They completed the win in front of their wives to cap a memorable day and follow in the footsteps of fellow Yorkshire club Far Grange Park who won last year. Six handicapper Honeysett quit banking to run his own golf clothing distribution company. The duo's card was a mixed bag with a nett eagle, five birdies and four bogeys spread across it. But it was enough to thwart the challenge of Windermere pro Simon Edwards and his amateur John Baines, whose second round 71 saw them close at six-under-par.

Beeston Fields pro Lee Clarke and amateur John Hawley, who had been a tied second with Pannal at the start of the day, added a 71 to their opening 68 to finish in third place at five-under-par. It earned Clarke £3,600. A total of 16 teams competed at the grand final in the Bahamas with the tournament carrying a £30,000 professional prize fund.

A 25-foot birdie putt on the third extra hole steered Adam Frontal to victory in the English County Champions Tournament after a dramatic three-way playoff over the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa.

The Yorkshire Champion (Picture © Tom Ward) had finished in a tie on 143, three under par, with James Crampton from Lincolnshire and BB&O’s Tyrrell Hatton.

Crampton and Frontal both birdied the first playoff hole to eliminate Hatton, who took par, then they both missed chances at the second, the long 18th, having to settle for a half in pars. But when the pair returned to the neighbouring first for the second time, Frontal again conjured up a birdie-three which Crampton failed to match.

“This is unbelievable,” said 37-year-old Frontal. “I didn’t expect this for a minute. In a field with several internationals you don’t expect to be in the frame, after all, these are full-timers and I work for a living. But I’m very pleased to win. You don’t expect it at my age, but I wanted to do Yorkshire proud and not let the county down.”

When he had finished his second round and signed for a three-under-par 70, Frontal was eager to make a hasty retreat and get back to his base at Cookridge Hall, where he is the guv’ner.

Linda Burnley and Janet Tedstone (Willow Valley Golf) started their quest for the Daily Mail Foursomes title in April – seven rounds later they are now through to the last 16 stage. On the way they recorded home victories against Huddersfield Fixby, Crow Nest, Woodham Golf & CC & Owston Hall, plus away wins at Selby, Outlane & Pannal.  The event will be staged at Marriott St Pierre, Chepstow on Monday & Tuesday 18th & 19th October. To take the trophy Linda and Janet will have to win 4 rounds of foursomes golf in 2 days. 

The Willow Valley Ladies Team also successfully defended their Yorkshire ADP title at Allerthorpe Golf Club last Sunday. In the morning semi-final they beat Calverley 2 -1. The team members were Linda Burnley, Denise Page and Diane Greenwood. They then played Flaxby in the final and won 3 - 0, represented by Audra Barlow, Lesley Shaw and Janet Tedstone. This is a fantastic achievement we dont think any other club has won the ADP title in consecutive years! Our picture shows from top left to right - Linda Burnley, Audra Barlow, Bianca Skelly, Denise Page, Lesley Shaw, Janet Tedstone, Diane Greenwood.

Liam Jeffrey won his first Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit title in September when he upstaged a big field of seasoned players in the Ashton Trophy at St Annes Old Links. The Haigh Hall ace defied the elements with rounds of 72 and 73 for a one-over-par total which indicated how tough the conditions were.

Three birdies cancelled out by as many bogeys set him up a one shot lead at the half-way stage as his second round followed a similar pattern. Royal Lytham’s Henry Tomlinson was runner-up on a card play-off from Blackburn’s Steve McGlynn. And merit leader Mark Young (pictured) , from Longridge, added more points to his tally to extend his lead to 295 over Hillside’s Richie Blundell with two fixtures remaining.

England international Nikki Foster scored a splendid 36-hole total of eight-under par to win the Royal Birkdale Scratch Trophy by one shot. The 18-year-old Lancashire player was three-shots off the pace after the first round, when Cheshire’s Emma Goddard returned an excellent six-under 69. Another five players also held a one-shot advantange over Nikki at the halfway stage. However she scored 70 in the second round to overtake them all and move to the top of the leaderboard.

Nikki has been on great form in strokeplay events this season and was runner-up in both the Helen Holm Scottish open strokeplay championship and in the Welsh open strokeplay, where she forced a play-off with a final round of five-under 69. The top ten at Royal Birkdale included two other England internationals, Charley Hull and Charlotte Ellis, and the English girls’ champion Elizabeth Mallett.

CIARAN Doherty captured his first Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit title by an impressive five shots in the Wilpshire Trophy in July, leaving the rest of the field trailing in his wake with a 64 in the second round which he started with a pair of bogeys (pictured is Wilpshire Golf Course).

The Bury player quickly atoned for the lapse with seven birdies as he coupled his score with an opening 69 for a five-under-par total. Longridge’s Mark Young, who won the Wilmslow Crow the previous day, extended to merit lead to 150 points by finishing runner-up but his nearest rival, Richie Blundell from Hillside, stayed on his tail as he claimed third place.

Horsforth Golf Club's President Malcolm Elrick hosted his Rabbits President’s Day on Saturday 17th July.  The strong wind and blustery showers didn’t appear to cause too problems for the 157 entrants. The overall winner of the Rabbits President’s Trophy (the winner must have a handicap of 16+) was Steven Walton with a score of 40. Members also enjoyed an evening dinner dancing to music by “Touch Wood”, with a theme of “Flower Power”.  Pictured is Chris Hirst the Rabbits Captain & wife Sally who as you can see were deserved winners of the prize for best dressed.

Following Horsforth Golf Club’s Tony Greenhalgh’s gross score of 66 in the 1st round of Northern Counties Seniors Championship at York GC on Wednesday 21st July (the best score of the championship!) he has been selected to play for the Yorkshire Seniors County Team against Cumbria at Penrith in August.

Mellor & Townscliffe’s President Pat Chamberlain was on the first tee to greet a full field of ladies playing in his competition early in July, reports Colin Hughes.

Although the course was in excellent condition the strength of the wind was a problm as they set off. The result was close as Pauline Thomlinson and Christine Troughear came in with good scores, however they were just pipped at the post by 23 handicapper Lesley Parkinson's fine nett 69.

After receiving her prize from the President, Lesley told her fellow competitors that it was her first major victory and she was proud to get her name on the Honours Board even though her handicap was reduced by 2 shots!

Initially set up by one of the members, Danny Kitching, the 19th Annual Charity AM-AM will take place at Horsforth Golf Club on Friday 9th July 2010 it is hoped to continue the trend of raising over £10000 for the Bexley Wing at St James.  Over the years more than £180000 has been donated, initially to Cookridge Hospital and latterly to the Bexley Wing. Donated prizes from Phillips UK, Havells Sylvania, Mr D Butchart, Mico Lighting, Osram, General Electric, Musgrave and Sagar and many more make up a prize table valued at over £3500. A top class buffet is included along with an evening of entertainment, all for £150 a team.  The ladies run a tombola and raffle throughout the day. Prizes are given to 16th place with a nearest the pin prize donated by Queensbury Jewellers.  The teams play from the white tees in a four man team stableford competition with two scores to count.  There are still times available for this years competition, anyone interested should contact Lesley or Liz on 01132586819.

YORKSHIRE’S top golf competition has a double winner on its historic winning trophy – Castlefords Nick Ludwell. Ludwell (Selby Golf Club) clinched his 2nd Yorkshire PGA Championship title after 2 putting the last hole to win by one stroke over his nearest challenger Haminder Matharu (Cookridge Hall).

On a stunning sunny day in superb conditions at Willow Valley Golf near Brighouse, Ludwell finished on -1 (143) after 36 holes. Behind them were a clutch of players, including last years’ winner Robert Wragg from Sheffield and Beverley’s John Wells. Ludwell maintained his rhythm throughout and could have easily won by more after several putts burnt the edge of the hole on the back 9. He started one shot behind overnight leader Geoff Harris (Rudding Park) who unfortunately fell away with a final round of 82. Ludwell put his success down to keeping the ball in play only using his driver 4 times around a Willow Valley course he described as brilliant. Julian Haworth, club professional at Willow Valley Golf – which has agreed a deal to stage the event until at least 2013 – said: “The competition again highlighted the depth of quality professional golfers in Yorkshire and we are delighted that our course once again proved an ideal venue to showcase it."

LANCASHIRE powered to their second Northern Counties Championship in three years and by an astonishing 30 shots over Roses rivals Yorkshire at Wallasey. The winning margin is believed to be unprecedented and almost certainly the 22-stroke advantage at the end of the first round has never been matched. Matthew Nixon and fellow England international and Walker Cup ace Tommy Fleetwood both carded 67s to lead the way in the morning and with none of the six players over the par of 72 the accumulative total was a remarkable 20 under.

The contest was effectively over by then but Lancashire kept their foot on the pedal although as the strong wind blasted away the benign conditions earlier in the day morning the scoring was never expected to be quite as impressive. Yet that was not the case with Mark Young, the 2009 county champion, who was a mind-boggling eight-under-par after 14 holes before closing with a 67 to add to his opening 69 to win the individual title.

Lancashire, who are celebrating their centenary, now qualify for the September English Finals at Hunstanton, which they won in 2008.

DANIEL Osbaldeston survived a potential disaster by cancelling out back-to-back bogeys with a pair of successive birdies over the closing seven holes to win the Prestbury Open on his home course. The 20-year-old signed for an eventful 69 which added to his opening 70, three-under-par. It was enough to earn him his first Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit victory. But “only just” as he only won on a lower second round score after his total had been matched by Hill Valley’s Joe Miller and 16-year-old Daniel Young, a member of the host club, who led the way in the morning with a superb 66. With many of the leading players either competing in the St Andrews Links Trophy or Lancashire Amateur Championship, there was no change at the top of the merit where England international James Robinson holds an 80-point advantage over Formby’s Ian Winstanley.