Union set to take over senior pairs knockout championship

THE Leicestershire and Rutland county golf union has agreed to take over and run the popular senior pairs knockout championship from this season, writes Jennifer Prentice.

This tournament was launched two years ago by Bob Roberts, a Market Harborough member.

Lutterworth GC won the first year in the final at Market Harborough and Market Harborough claimed the title last season.

A total of 12 county clubs contested the 2019 event, with five more taking part last year.

The original 12 clubs joined together to contribute to a fund to buy a fine trophy for the competition.

Original competing clubs were Beedles Lake, Charnwood Forest, Hinckley, Kibworth, Kilworth Springs, Kirby Muxloe, Longcliffe, Lutterworth, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Scraptoft and Whetstone.

They were joined in 2020 by Cosby, Forest Hill, The Leicestershire, Lingdale and Rothley Park.

In the 2020 final, Market Harborough, led by their senior captain David Pyle, took the trophy.

They beat The Leicestershire 4.5-0.5 in the final over their home course.

Despite the lockdown restrictions that applied last year, the tournament proved highly successful and was completed in full.

When Bob Roberts started the competition, the county union was asked if it would take on the organisation.

The union wanted to wait and see if it would become a popular addition to the county fixture list and if there was a demand among clubs.

After a consultation between Market Harborough organisers and the county union recently, it was agreed that it would become a county tournament in 2021.

However, the terms of competition have been amended by the county union.

One of the amendments was a change in format to Stableford match-play.

Kevin Whitfield-Green, above, the county’s director of tournaments, said: “We had to establish the need and the enthusiasm for a new event as we do have a full programme of events already and a great deal of organisation is needed to keep them all running, locating venues, and so on. But there is no doubt whatsoever that this senior pairs knockout attracted a huge amount of support, so we are pleased to formally give it the go ahead and put it into our list from this year.

“We try to cover the whole spectrum of golf club members from juniors up to seniors, through scratch and handicap championships each year. We believe we have a great mix and one which should appeal to all out affiliated clubs and their members each year.

“Our whole tournament programme compares well with other counties, most of whom have far fewer each year. Now we are just looking forward to getting under way with our 2021 programme.”