JUNE 11th, 12th, 13th, 2014 at The Belfry, Warwickshire
The 69th Championship took place at the prestigious Belfry, the spiritual home of the Ryder Cup, over the world famous Brabazon Course and the PGA National Course. Glorious sunny weather was a very welcome relief after the early June rains. It was a more International event than ever, with players from Sweden, Germany, Holland, the USA, Ireland and the home Nations, totally 105 players competed for The Championship Bowl and numerous other regional and National Trophies.
The Trade Banquet on the Thursday night at The Belfry was attended by 120 people, and on the night the Auction and Raffle produced almost £7000 for the Trade Charities. David Lockyer, Chairman of Footwear Friends, and William Tusting, President of the LHTBI received cheques from President Gordon A Wilson. The total donations to the Charities will again be £16,000 this year. The President expressed his sincere thanks to all the Sponsors who make a substantial contribution to the funds raised for the Charities, and those kind enough to donate prizes for the raffle and the auction.
Records were broken when for the first time since the Championship began in 1946, it was successfully defended by Bernard O’Brien from County Galway in Ireland with 73 points over the 36 holes. The Ladies Champion (on a count back) was Kate James from Euroleathers in Northampton, Kate also won the trophy in 2011.
Another record was created by Craig Hamilton from Barnard Castle when he won the Wilbur Muirhead Scratch Cup for the 10th time in the last few years. The Runner up was Chris Castle from Northampton with 67 points and third was Craig Hamilton with 63 points. The Hugh Denton Trophy for the Under 50’s was won by Kevin Knights of Start-rite, The Turner Bowl for the over 50’s was won by Chris Gorrod of Rieker, and the Mawer Marlow Bowl for the Over 70’s was won by Les Perry from Leeds.
In the International Match for The Bridge of Weir Trophy, sponsored by Micro-Pak Ltd., the Scotland & Ireland Team defeated the England & Wales Team by 3 ½ to 2 ½.
In 2015 the Championship moves to Ireland, to be played at the Druids Glen Resort near Dublin on June 17th, 18th and 19th 2015, anyone not on the mailing list who would like to play as a member of the Trades or as a Guest please contact rodney@leicesteruk.co.uk
