The magnificent setting of Woodsome Hall provided the backdrop to the eighth event of the Clubhouse Leaders season. With one of the oldest clubhouses in the world and a course described by Peter Alliss as a “hidden gem”, it was a fitting venue for the penultimate event.
Early morning rain didn’t dampen spirits and, true to form for our events, it stopped as the first groups teed off. Within two holes, the field was playing in bright sunshine.
It was a steady start, with most players struggling to get their scores under the card. While several sat at two or three over, Hamish McKenzie emerged as the early leader at one under. A combination of solid golf and the occasional lucky break put him clear of the chasing pack.
The first nearest the pin was on the seventh, where “par-three specialist” Charlie Langdale claimed the prize with a fine shot to around eight feet.
As the round continued, nobody seemed able to mount a sustained challenge, and Hamish looked set to stroll to victory. That was until Michael Goodare broke away from the pack with a net eagle to draw level at one under.
Elsewhere, fortunes were mixed. Tobias epitomised the changing nature of the contest; after struggling on the front nine, he found his form with a run of birdies, capped by an eagle on the par-four 15th.
The second nearest the pin, on the 13th, brought another success for Charlie Langdale, who completed the double with a shot that came close to finding the cup.
Strong finishes from Tobias, Ryan and Chris Hughes saw all three reach 34 points, leaving an expectant clubhouse waiting for Michael and Hamish to return. Hamish steadied the ship over the closing holes to finish with 37 points, securing victory by two points over Michael, who took second place.
The win moves Hamish to the top of the Order of Merit ahead of the season finale at Moortown. With everything still to play for, the heat is on!
