Newbiggin Silver Tankard

See the Open Competions link for entry into the 2010 event along with conditions and details and an entry form.

Summary of 2009 event.

The Newbiggin Silver Tankard (formerly the prestigious Vaux Silver Tankard) was played on Sunday the 14th of June in the company of some absolutely marvelous weather. The event was sponsored by Mammoet - specialists in heavy lifting and transport solutions throughout the world. The event is one of 10 matches linked to the reintroduced Green Jacket ranking series for North East amateurs after an absence of 10 years.

The Silver Tankard takes the form of a 36 hole scratch open made up from a very strong field of more than 60 golfers representing 22 golf clubs. More than half the competitors play off handicaps of 1 or under. There were 4 previous winners in the field along with the other competitors endeavouring to be first name engraved on the new trophy. The past winners taking part were Nigel King winner in 1996, Les Dawson 2006, Simon Lee City of Newcastle 2007 and last year’s winner James Curry 2008. Previous winners of this prestigious event who went on to join the professional ranks were David Curry (James Curry’s father) Ken Ferrie, Stuart Smith, and John Downie.

As players handed in their cards an early net leader in the club house was Newbiggin’s D. Chesterton with a score of 74-3-71, Then in came T. Rowland of Prudhoe with 71-3-68 followed by C. Thompson of Boldon with an excellent score of 73-5-68 to lead on count back. The early gross scores in the club house were N. King of South Shields with a level par round of 72 followed by J. Hutton of Whickham 72, M. Webb Bedlington 72,

J. Curry 72, S. Lee 72, P. Ridden 72. Then B. Tetlow of Hartlepool 71 became the club house leader, followed by C. Wilkinson of Blyth 71, Jason Jones of Saltburn with a 70. C. Penny of Morpeth posted a 3 under par 69 only to be outdone by D. Shevill of Prudhoe who shot a magnificent 4 under par 68 to become the first round leader.

The second round was well under way and the first level par score posted for the competition was from Nigel King with 72 + 72 = 144, He was followed by Thomas Rowland 71 + 72 = 143, several players went on to post sub par second rounds, D Hair and L Bond both with a 71, C Tetlow a 70, B Bailey a 69, and John Kennedy of Consett a 68. Unfortunately their first round scores just failed to get them into the prizes. Thomas Rowland from Prudhoe with a 36 hole score of 143 – 6 = 137 became the winner of the net prize.

The first round leaders battled it out in the second round and after the second front 9 the leader Danny Shevill was 2 under and 6 under for the competition. He was followed closely by Craig Penny on 3 under par after his second front 9 putting him level with Danny on 6 under par for the competition. In close pursuit S. Lee, P. Ridden, and J. Curry were all under par. As the final 9 holes were played Danny Shevill held his nerve and posted 2 under par for a two round total of 138, Craig Penny dropping shots on his back nine to post a level par round of 72 finishing with a 141, Simon Lee finished strongly with a final round of 68, this giving him a total of 140 for the match.

The presentation took place in the club house at 8.00pm. The sponsor MAMMOET was represented by their Northern Operation’s Director Mr. Wallace Beldon, who presented the following prizes.

Best Net Thomas Rowland of Prudhoe 138 received vouchers for £100 and 1 dozen Pro V1 balls

Best Gross in 6th place Phil Ridden of City of Newcastle 143

5^th place Craig Wilkinson of Blyth 142
4^th place James Curry of Prudhoe 141
3^rd place Craig Penny of Morpeth 141
2^nd place Simon Lee of City of Newcastle 140

The winner was Danny Shevill of Prudhoe 138 he received vouchers worth £470 and 1dozen Pro V1 balls.

The event was a credit to all those participating, many of whom gave a huge thanks to the Newbiggin Greens Staff for wonderful presentation and condition of the course.