A NEW go-to generation is on the upswing at Fulford Golf Club.

And that should ensure a fresh chapter of success in the area’s junior golf calendar as that which has been enjoyed for the last few decades.

Andy Robson is the new junior co-ordinator at Fulford, taking over this year from former England amateur international Jonathan Plaxton, who did an admirable job in keeping the production line of talent continuing.

Now Robson, who is assisted by several other Fulford members in promoting and nurturing junior golf, has been buoyed by a year of similar achievement.

And some of the new crop of talented 12 and 13-year-olds are chips off the block as Robson explained.

The present junior captain James Cass is the son of long-time Fulford GC member Richard Cass, who was joint club captain during its centenary last year, while another young tyro is Tom Kelly, who is the son of multi-trophy winner Matt Kelly.

Said Robson: “Jonathan Plaxton did a fantastic job with the youth section here.

“I succeeded him at the start of this year and myself and about a half a dozen other members who help with the youngsters are now seeing another crop coming through.

“The year started with us getting the ClubMark status from England Golf which recognises the club’s commitment to junior golf and then our professional Guy Wills kindly fixed up a great tie up with Glenbrae (golf equipment suppliers).

“Glenbrae picked ourselves, Ganton GC and Lindrick GC as marquee clubs and the junior team now wears their shirts and sweaters.”

The summer, which has not long finished, saw the Fulford juniors figure just as smartly in York Union and club competitions.

The aforementioned Cass and Kelly, they are also cousins, won the inaugural York Union of Golf Clubs’ pairs competition, the Ted Kendall Trophy.

Cass also won the Issott Trophy for the best individual score and was second in the York Union’s Seward Trophy event for the junior championship. He also represented York Union and Yorkshire boys.

Charlie Thornton, meanwhile, broke into the England boys’ team and reached 87th place in the national junior Order of Merit, where club-mate Sam Wilkinson sustained his position at 51st nationwide.

Kelly, Charlie Cresswell, the son of former York City, Leeds, Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday striker Richard, and George Robson were all regularly in the prizes in club competitions to underscore their potential.

Both Robson and Kelly saw their handicaps go down to 13 from 21 and 19 respectively and are part of the Yorkshire U15 coaching programme with Steve Robinson at his academy at Sandburn GC.

Fulford’s junior team were also just pipped into second place by Pike Hills GC in the York Union Junior League. Added Robson: “It’s been a good year and with the continued backing of the club we are aiming to have even more success.”
 

MALTON & Norton Golf Club duo Carol Simpson and Judy Butler have won the East Yorkshire Alliance Matchplay Trophy.

The pair battled not only their rivals but also some very inclement weather, with the first round at Hornsea being particularly bad.

Simpson and Butler won 3 and 2 on that occasion and in the second round edged Pike Hills rivals on the last hole.

The semi-finals at Hull saw better weather and a 3 and 2 victory for the Malton pair over Filey foes.

The final was against Ganton and Simpson’s putting helped the Malton pair to a 4 and 2 victory.


RESULTS GOLF

Forest Park GC

Sunday stableford, div 1: 1 M Harford 36pts, 2 S Flack 36, 3 A Fawdington 36; div 2: 1 R Brook 36, 2 R Forsyth 36, 3 G Atkinson 34.

Midweek stableford, div 1: 1 R Brook 40, 2 D Tester 39, 3 M Hildred 37; div 2: 1 R Waite 38, 2 D Craven 38, 3 N Ovenstone 37.

Fulford GC

Extra medal: 76 E Kendall; 79 T Martindale; 82 J Stringer; 89 R Ilsley.

Ladies annual medal: 75 A Swannell; 77 L Sterriker; 82 P Boden; 88 M Rudd; 90 J Lawn.

Turkey Trot (Oct 26): 59 D Coulson and A Crawford; 63 D Nunn and C Brownlee; 64 J P Miller and H Wharton, G Kilner and I Darby; 65 J Ward and C Tyrer, R Pauer and S Thorn; 66 V Fielder and S Smith, S Dalby and M Free.

Turkey Trot (Oct 26): 64 C Byrne and A McGettigan, T Charlson and G Grant, M Butcher and C Burgess; 66 D Riley and P Hollingworth, D Leaf and G Stericker.