by 
SKIPTON Golf Club hosted a unique ‘Champions Day’ tournament to celebrate their first team’s success in becoming winners of the 2024 Harrogate & District Union of Golf Clubs Interclub League, with the event taking place last Sunday.
The achievement was all the more special as it was Skipton’s first season in the league, which features 13 clubs from the region, with the team playing six home and six away games, winning eight of the 12 games for a total of 18 points, finishing narrowly ahead of runners-up Ilkley on 17 points.
The format included singles, scratch and better ball handicaps and a captain/pro pairing of Andrew ‘Ollie’ Burton and club professional Peter Robinson, with a total of 27 Skipton members representing the team, captained by Chris Payne, taking part throughout the year.
Notable mentions go to Rob Windle, who finished the season unbeaten, Lee Guilfoyle, who formed a dangerous partnership with Steve Aldersley, and Steve King, who dominated the Scratch League matches, contributing the most points throughout the season.
The team was supported throughout the year in the form of game kits by Trawden-based sponsors Northwest Render and Vertex Render Supplies.
This was not the club’s only success in what was a brilliant season in all respects. Skipton’s Scratch team finished third in the championship, while the club’s Bainbridge Shield team also finished third in their championship.
Adding to the drama of Champions Day, Skipton’s top golfer Gavin Stocker holed his tee shot on the 16th hole for a rare hole-in-one.
