WHITBURN Golf Club have paid tribute to the fantastic four who clinched a record seventh Durham Union Team Handicap title.

The Wearside outfit, who last claimed the honour four years ago, finished one shot clear of Durham City in the competition held at Hartlepool.

Ian Richardson, a nine-handicapper, was the star of the show for Whitburn after he carded the best individual net score of the day with his 69. But he was ably backed up by fine displays from Paul Brownson, Paul O'Neil and Chris Hayes.

And Whitburn club secretary Arthur Atkinson believes success was just rewards for the team. "It was played in difficult conditions and they all had to play their part to win it," he said.

"It was great for Chris Hayes because he has just come back to the club after taking time out. He used to play with us when he was a junior and now he has recently returned and his handicap keeps hovering between 15 to 11.

"Richardson is a steady golfer and he did well to shoot the score he did while the captain, Paul Carroll, knows all about Paul O'Neil because he quite often goes round with him.

"Paul Brownson is also a steady player and he is reserve for our first team some times. It's a great honour for this club to win this again."

Atkinson, who was captain in 1985 when Whitburn won the Durham League First Division, admits that the club's best chance is to win the handicap competitions.

"We seem to do better in these sort of events because we don't really have a clutch of great handicap players," said the 68-year-old from South Shields. "What we do have are a lot of players who are at a good standard who are consistent.

"We have a few players at the level of Hayes, Brownson, Richardson and O'Neil and we will always do well in competitions like the Team Handicap."

The full result of the Team Handicap: 1st Whitburn 216 (P Brownson 83-9-74, P O'Neil 82-8-74, I Richardson 78-9-69, C Hayes 84-11-73); 2nd Durham City 217 (G Rennie 80-6-74, G Maddison 90-7-83, S Wells 79-8-71, P Burns 80-8-72); 3rd Wearside 217 (P Wilson 79-10-69, D. Goldsmith 89-13-76, S. Andrews 91- 6-85, R. Forbister 78-6-72). Ian Richardson (Whitburn) won the best individual net with a 69.

* Harrogate's match with York was played in difficult conditions. In the morning foursomes Harrogate won five matches with ease to lead 10-2. The lowest margin of victory was 4&3.

It was a different story in the afternoon's singles. With York's players winning the first four singles, and by the seventh rubber they had edged ahead 14-12.

However, the Harrogate team rallied and they won the last five matches to run out comfortable winners by 22 points to 14.

A delighted captain John Waring said: "It was an excellent team performance and I am now looking forward to the clash with Leeds Union at the City of Wakefield Club in a fortnight's time."

Foursomes (Harrogate names first): R Brewin & K Ward v M Brown & N Smith 1up, M Buckley & C Hughes 7&5 v N Thompson & A Lount, T Moorhouse & S Whitwham 6&5 v P Dodson & J Hudson, C Pierson & R Parry 5&3 v S Lockwood & J Batt, T Hesketh & O Shaw 4&3 v D Bruce & N Ferguson, C Simpkin & W Crick 5&3 v R Stephenson & N Marchant. Harrogate 10 York 2.

Singles: M Buckley v M Brown 3&1, R Brown v N Smith 3&2, T Moorhouse v A Lount 4&3, K Ward v N Thompson 3&2, C Hughes 1up v J Batt, C Pierson v S Lockwood 2&1, S Whitwam v P Dobson 3&2, O Shaw 3&2 v J Hudson, T Hesketh 6&5 v N Ferguson, C Simpkin 4&3 v D Bruce, W Crick 2&1 v R Stephenson, R Parry 5&4 v N Marchant. Harrogate 12 York 12.

Match Result: Harrogate 22 York 14.

Published: 29/06/2004