Bishop Auckland Golf Club hosted Heworth Golf Club in the Durham County Clark Cup Quarter Final earlier this month writes Mark Walker.
After receiving a bye in Round One, followed by away wins at Dinsdale Spa and Whickham Golf Club, the home draw was certainly welcomed.
Craig Wren led the team out but couldn’t get the putter working and fell to a 3&2 defeat to put the away side 0v1 up.
John Howarth quickly restored parity with a dominant performance, winning his tie 6&5.
Wayne Hewitt was one down on the 18th tee and after his opponent got his drive away safely, Wayne drove his ball under the lip of the left hand green-side bunker. With his opponent at the back of the green Wayne’s bunker shot hit the hole and the resulting birdie putt from five feet forced extra holes with Wayne snatching the comeback win on the first extra hole.
Reigning club champion, Jamie Birkbeck followed, closing his game out on the 16th green and was closely followed by Graham Milne who won on the 17th green to secure a 4v1 win.
Full credit must go to Heworth Golf Club. The scoreline at the end doesn’t convey how close this match actually was and it could so easily have been 2v3 in Heworth’s favour. I must congratulate our team for producing a great win to get us into the semi finals on Sunday 13th August on a neutral course, to be confirmed when draw is made.
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Clark Cup, so I’m thrilled we are in the business end of the competition at this stage of the season. This, combined with our current league form, which see us top of the league table, makes for an exciting end to the season.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
