Rain fails to dampen the spirits at Wellsgreen

This competition is an alternate shot event with teams comprising of one adult and one child under 13 years.

The youngest competitor on the day was only four-years-old.

A record entry into this year’s event saw 54 teams of two taking part.

A spokesman for Wellsgreen said: “When I woke on Sunday I looked out of the window and saw a wet, drizzly, depressing looking morning.

“I headed down to Wellsgreen wondering if people would want the event to go ahead.

“Would kids, aged between 4 and 11, really want to venture out onto the course in these horrible conditions?

“The answer was a definite yes.

“The first few teams arrived around an hour before the start desperate to hit some practice balls and have some putts before tee off.

“We started them off with a shotgun at 9.30am and after two hours of constant drizzle and at times heavier spells of rain they were done.

“The next group teed off at 11.30 and then a final shotgun start at 1.30pm.

“The weather remained constant for the whole of the day but everyone seemed to enjoy the event.”

As for the golf itself, there were some great scores.

In the morning round Gordon Blyth and his partner Fraser (8) managed a score of 42 which lead the way for most of the day.

Philip and Cameron Arnold (7), Max Hogarth and partner, and Mark and Ryan King (11) all returned 46.

The event was won by Stewart and Katie Whiteford.

Gordon and Fraser Blyth finished as runners up, then Philip and Cameron Arnold.

The spokesman added the event had been a huge success: “Once again, I hope everyone enjoyed the day and thank them all for taking part.

“Our next event is the Tigers Junior Open Championships on Sunday, August 21– entries are now being taken at reception.”