County v Cheshire

In the last match of the Daily Telegraph league Durham travelled to Crewe to play Cheshire. James Simpson (Whickham) was making his debut for the County.

The morning foursomes was shared at 3 - 3. Durham won the first two matches and also the last. two matches went to the last hole and went in Cheshires favour by 1 hole. The 4th match was lost 4/3.

In the afternoon singles again the matches were shared at 6 - 6. Michael Curry playing at number 1 won 3/2. There were wins also for Gareth Cooper, Steven Dance, Gavin Nesbit, Chris Hewitt and Julian Wynn. James Simpson played very well and was just beaten by 1 hole. The match finished in a draw 9 - 9. The County Captain stated that the players had performed very well but he was disappointed with the result  as 5 matches had gone down the last hole and Durham had only won 2 of them.

Gareth Cooper (Brancepeth Castle) had been presented with his County colours after the match.

2nd DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2nd Division Championship was played at South Moor Golf Club in very testing conditions. The championship was won by Darren Rigg (Mount Oswald) with a gross 74. The home players,  John Wood (78) and Keith Turner (78) were Darrens nearest challengers. The full results are available under results on the website. 

COUNTY MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Lee McCavanagh (Woodham) won the County Match play championship at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club.

In the match play stages Lee beat David Patterson in the 1st round at the first extra hole when he was 2 down with 3 holes to play.

In the 2nd round Lee beat defending champion Callum Tarren at the second extra hole after winning the 18th with a birdie to take it to sudden death.

In the semi final he beat Gareth Cooper by 5/4 and in the final Lee beat Graeme Marchbank at the 19th hole

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Callum Tarren (Dinsdale Spa) won the County Championship, which was held at Seaton Carew Golf Club on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2009. Callum had rounds of 72, 73, 76, 76 for a total of 297.

He won by one shot from Michael Curry (Brancepeth Castle)

Callum also won the Nelson medal which is awarded to the player who has the best score after the first two rounds. Click here for full results.

Inter County Foursomes

In the Inter County Foursomes finals which were held at South Shields Golf Club on Saturday 18th April, in the Durham final Seaham Golf Club defeated Houghton le Spring Golf Club by 4/3.

In the Northumberland final the City of Newcastle defeated Morpeth by 4/3.

In the County final Northumberland (City of Newcastle) beat Durham (Seaham) by 1 hole in a very tight match. There was never any more one hole in the match.

Distance Measuring Devices
The County Executive have followed the English Golf Unions decision and will allow distance measuring devices in County competitions in 2009. Devices which also incorporate gradient, temperature and wind speed will not be allowed. Any person found with these devices in competitions will be disqualified even if he has not used any of these facilities.