New Competition for Yorkshire Golfers

A brand new matchplay golf competition, exclusively for amateur golfers in Yorkshire, will be held next year.

The Yorkshire Matchplay Golf Championship is a knockout competition open to golfers who are a member of a club affiliated to the county union. Players have the option of entering either the Individual competition or the Pairs event. Both will be played initially on a local basis with the winners of each region progressing to a Grand Final.

The first round in each of the four regions; North, East, South & West, will be played over 36 holes on a home and away basis with a draw taking place for home advantage in subsequent rounds. The remaining two players in each region will compete in a Regional Final, also played on a two-legged basis, for a chance to meet their counterparts in the last four finale.

The winners of each Regional Final, in both the Individual and Pairs section, will be invited to compete in the Grand Final on the 16th September 2010. Finalists will be greeted with breakfast on arrival where a draw will be made for opponents prior to the semi-finals. After lunch the morning winners will then do battle in the afternoon to determine the overall champions. A third-place play-off will also be held for the morning losers.

The venue for the climax of the championship is still very much under wraps but Tournament Director, Edward Battye, believes that entrants will not be disappointed, “We have one of the best courses in the country lined up to host our inaugural year Grand Final so those making it to the last four are in for a real treat. We are just putting the finishing touches to the day and hope to announce the location shortly.”

As well as a free day of golf and food the grand finalists will also be competing for over £1,000 worth of prizes so a tense day on the links is expected.

Battye, who heads up the company behind the championship, is expecting the new competition to prove a real hit with golfers in the area, “Pre-registration only opened last week and we have already had a lot of interest. The price of entry is extremely reasonable and, with the first round being played on a home and away scenario, golfers are guaranteed at least two rounds with one of them away from their home course.” He added, “Because the early rounds are played on a regional basis this will minimise any travelling and those who make it all the way through to the Grand Final can expect a fantastic day of golf.”

Entries do not officially open until January, however, a website (www.yorkshirematchplay.com ) has been set up to provide further information to potential entrants allowing them to pre-register. The website contains the full rules and regulations of the tournament and will keep competitors up-to-date throughout the year with results and all the latest news.