SKIPTON Golf Club has staged a one-off ‘Champions Day’ tournament to celebrate the success of its 1st team in becoming Harrogate & District Union of Golf Clubs Interclub League Winners 2024, with the event taking place last Sunday.

The achievement is all that more special as it was the Skipton’s first season in the league, which features 13 clubs across the region, the team playing six matches at home and six away, winning eight out of 12 for a total points score of 18, narrowly finishing ahead of runners-up Ilkley on 17 points.

The format included singles, scratch and better ball handicaps and a Captain/Pro pairing of Andrew ‘Ollie’ Burton and club professional Peter Robinson, with a total of 27 Skipton members representing the team, managed by Chris Payne, taking part throughout the year.

Notable mentions go to Rob Windle, who finished the season unbeaten, Lee Guilfoyle, who formed a dangerous partnership with Steve Aldersley, and Steve King, who dominated the Scratch League matches, contributing the most points throughout the season.

The team was supported throughout the year in the form of playing kits by Trawden-based sponsors, Northwest Render and Vertex Render Supplies.

It wasn’t the club’s only success in what has proved a sparkling season all-round. Skipton’s Scratch team came third in the league, while the club’s Bainbridge Shield Team also finished third in their league.

To add to the Champions Day drama, leading Skipton golfer Gavin Stocker holed his tee shot on the 16th for the rare feat of a hole in one.