2023 Seniors Balfour Cup

Richard Phillips and Simon Pointon

winners of the 2023 Seniors Balfour Cup

Worsley Golf Club - 10th August 2023

Report of the 2023 Seniors Balfour Cup

Worsley Golf Club had previously hosted the Balfour Seniors Cup in 2007, when it was won, for the first and only time, by Worsley members Dave Pickles and Peter Jordan. Of the 192 entries for this Seniors Balfour 53 were Worsley members intent on “bringing it home”, to quote an infamous soccer saying from World Cup Days.

After several weeks of a really wet English Summer, it was something of a relief that the rains of the previous days had ended and the sun was shining as the first pairs teed off at 7.40 am. It seems to have become customary that the early starters set the pace and that was the case once again, with the 7.40 pairs of Naga Nalluri and Mohammed Afzal of Northenden recording 40 points, and Norman Haslam and Thomas Farley of Stand scoring 42 points.

However, the 8.00 am pair of Kevin Speight and Ian Marsh of Bury GC took on the challenge and raised the stakes coming home with 45 points. During the next 2 hours 13 pairs returned scores in the 40's, but it was not until after 2.00 pm, that the 45 was matched by Simon Grubisic and Mark Graham of Worsley GC and they led on a card play-off. Would we have Worsley Winners after a 16 year wait?

After two more hours of waiting and another 7 pairs returning scores in the 40's, the Worsley dream drew closer when local members Tony Beddows and Tony Caldwell recorded a round of 46 points. Wind the clock on another 2 hours and another 6 pairs scoring over 40 points and another Worsley pair, Simon Pointon and Rick Phillips came in with 48 points despite having a nightmare blob on the 5 th, the easiest hole on the course - Stroke 18.

A late challenge of 47 points, by the penultimate pair of Tony Callan and James Booth of Ellesmere GC, secured them 2 nd place.

So, the dream came true and “they did bring it home”. Ironically, the Seniors Balfour Cup was instigated in 2005 by Worsley member and Balfour and Houldsworth Chairman, John Farmer. So, it was a real case of “bringing it home”!

The course had been in excellent condition thanks to the work of the green staff and this was proved to be by the scores achieved on the day. There were 36 scores of 40 points or more, 23 players got 2's and 91 recorded Birdies. There was just one Eagle and that was a 2, on the 294 yard 17 th hole. It was scored by Nigel Thompson of Halifax Bradley Hall Golf Club - well done Nigel.

On behalf of the B&H Competitions Committee, John Farmer expressed his thanks to Worsley Golf Club for hosting the competition, for the excellent state of the course and the services provided by the bar and catering staff to players in the Clubhouse.  

B&H President Keith Dingley presented a cheque to the Worsley Captain Craig Gorton, in appreciation of the club hosting the competition. Mr Captain thanked the B&H Committee for the excellent and most efficient way that the competition had been organised and run, and thanked all those who had taken part in what turned out to be an excellent day of friendly and competitive golf. Although delighted that Worsley members had taken 3 of the top 4 places, he did resist saying  …….

A total of £1,050 in Prize Vouchers were awarded to pairs to share and spend in the Pro's shop:

First - £400: Second - £300: Third - £200: Fourth - £150.

Richard Phillips and Simon Pointon  receive the Seniors Balfour Cup

from B&H President Keith Dingley &  B&H Captain John Farmer

with WGC Captain Craig Gorton & WGC President David Haley.

Winning score of 48 points.

SECOND PLACE WENT TO Tony Callan & James Booth (pic) 

OF Ellesmere GOLF CLUB  WITH 47 POINTS

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Third place winners were Tony Beddows and Tony Caldwell 

o f Worsley Golf Club  with 46 points 

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Fourth  Place winners were Simon Grubisic and mark Graham 

of Worsley GC  WITH 45 POINTS 

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Worsley Captain Craig Gorton thanked the B&H President for the cheque

given to WGC for hosting the competition. 

He then closed the Presentation, thanking all those  who had taken part

and who had made possible a great and enjoyable day's golf at Worsley Golf Club.

Click here to view the full results of the 2023 Balfour Seniors Cup

The 2024 Seniors Balfour will be played at Houldsworth Golf Club on 15th August 2023.

The Tee-sheet is now open for those who would like to secure their preferred times.  

Click to enter Seniors Balfour at Houldsworth  Golf Club 2024

CLICK TO see the entry pages for all of the 2024  B&H Competitions

Click here to view more photos on YouTube