Fenwick Smith Trophy - 29 July
Played over the well prepared, but testing, par 72 Newcastle United golf course, the defending champion was James Curry, one of a massive 10 entrants from Prudhoe. And didn't we do well! Here are the scores:

Danny Shevill 72 + 67 = 139
Neil Graham 71 + 73 = 144
Kevin Robson 73 = 71 = 144
Geoff Ross 71 + 73 = 144
James Curry 71 + 74 = 145
Shaun Philipson 74 + 75 = 149
Paul Armstrong 73 + 78 = 151
Michael Horan 82 + 72 = 154
Jason Brown 84 + 78 = 162

Congratulations to Danny who finished 3rd behind Chris McDonnell (138) and eventual winner, Sandy Twynholm (135). Danny will be delighted to have beaten so many top players (including Chris Paisley!) and got his handicap down to scratch too. Congratulations also to Geoff for scoring so well and to Michael and Jason for keeping going despite tough first rounds. But well done to all the lads - if it had been a team event, we would surely have won!

The CSS for the day was 72 for both rounds.

There were 66 places available in this important County competition. In the event, 15 players didn't turn up or failed to complete the tournament.

This shows no respect for:
1) Other players who have been robbed of the opportunity to play
2) Fellow competitors
3) The County Executive
4) Themselves

This has been an alarmingly growing trend and I do hope the County are going to get really tough with players and Clubs. As I said above, there were originally 10 entrants from Prudhoe but one did pull out the night before with an injury. I do hope that was genuine and it will be checked! Nevertheless, our 9 players represented nearly 20% of the players who did turn up AND complete both rounds and that is to be applauded!

On the other side of the courtesy fence, many thanks to County Cap, Steve Johnson. Knowing he wasn't in contention, Steve gave Danny as much support as he could, especially during his second round. Now that's what I call a gentleman.