Home of Champions
Prudhoe Golf Club has developed an outstanding reputation for producing golfers of the highest quality. So much so in fact that the Club took the decision in 2005 to adopt the title of ‘The Home of Champions.’ This is no idle boast as demonstrated by the 150 honours below, 8 of which were captured in 2010.
A Summary of the Roll of Honour
National Championships 29 Selections for England 20
Northern Championships 5 County Championships 60
Other County titles 21 League Championships 15
A selection of the players who have contributed to this impressive Roll of Honour are:
Neville Dunn started the trend back in 1951 when he won the British Boys Championship.
David Curry won the British Amateur Championship in 1986 giving him the opportunity to play in both The Masters and The Open. He was selected for England including the Walker Cup team and went on to be a European Tour professional for many years.
Janet Soulsby won the British Women’s Amateur Championship and the British Stroke Play Championship. She was selected for England including the Curtis Cup team and also became a regular on the ladies European tour.
Shaun Philipson won the British Mid Amateur Championship in 1997, having reached the last 16 of the British Amateur Championship earlier the same year and was selected for England. Shaun is also the current holder of the course record at Prudhoe with a nine under par 60 and is no doubt still slightly frustrated with the last hole bogey that cost him a 59!
In 2010 Andrew Scrimshaw was selected to play for under 18 England Boys against Scotland and Thomas Rowland was included in the England under 18 squad for 2011
The 2010 team players of James Curry, David Craig, Kevin Robson, Danny Shevill, Denny Ward, Andrew Scrimshaw, Thomas Rowland, Ant Reed, Steve Pallister, Dan Atkinson, Chris Hunter and Shaun Philipson won both the Newcastle + District and Hadrian League leagues a feat that has never been achieved before. They also won the Dixon Cup defeating the 4 other champions of the northeast leagues. The treble is tremendous achievement with club captain Malcolm Ward and vice captain Phil Pallister sucessfully managing the team
All the players mentioned above and many more have represented Prudhoe at County level and won many County Championships. In the lounge in the clubhouse the Honours Board's detail the excellent achievements of all the players over the years.
If you would like to see the full list of the honours click on the following links HB GIRL AND LADY.pdf, HB BOYS V2.pdf and HB GENTS V1.pdf
But just why does this comparatively little, yet picturesque, course of less than 6000 yards produce so many great players? The answer lies in a combination of the course, the focus on developing junior golfers and the club’s inclusive culture.
First of all,a short course it may be but one which requires the better players to attack it to achieve a score necessary for maintaining and improving their handicap. On the other hand, average golfers and beginners can choose whether to play conservatively or attack. The course has a reputation for always being in great condition and the small greens well guarded by bunkers are invariably fast, especially during the main playing season.
Secondly, over many years, the Club has always had a successful strategy for developing its junior golfers. Juniors are considered, along with all sections of the Club to be important and a key part of the Club’s future.
The Club’s culture is one that members and visitors will always remember. A good course in fine condition and excellent clubhouse facilities are extremely important. But when these are combined with a genuinely friendly, welcoming and courteous atmosphere, where everyone feels a part, then you have a truly great golf club – not just a Home of Champions but one which champions all of the good things about the great game of golf.
Kevin Robson
Nortumberland County Captain 2011