Report on the Rugby Clubs Golf Championship National Final 2008
 
Cleckheaton RFC win - but which of their teams was it?

What a day! The sun rose slowly over the heath and sixteen teams eagerly set off in the early morning dew at Walton Heath G C on Friday 17 October to contest the Rugby Clubs Golf National Final. As the sun rose higher the players were left with perfect conditions on a top quality course and everyone enjoyed the challenge. The concensus was that keeping the ball on the fairway and out of the heather was key to scoring and many teams must have done so, as the scoring was the closest in recent times on the New Course.

The sponsors played on the Old Course and it was good to see them together with Tony & Tessa Mann. Teams representing RAM Rugby, who included former Engalnd cricket captain, Nasser Hussain, Laithwaites and Sport Abroad all contested the Sponsors’ competition, with Tony Mann taking second place. David Higgins from Sport Abroad claimed the Sponsors’ prize with 34 points.

The main competition was fiercely contested and the scoring reflected the quality of the teams who had won through to the Final. Third place was secured only on count-back, with Pontefract RFC edging out Bishops Stortford RFC, both on 78 points. Pontefract won Wooden Spoon brollies and headcovers and a "Ruck’n Roll" pad for the club. Well done to Anthony Smith, Stephen Hough, Andrew Wiltshire & Robert Wigglesworth.

One point ahead in second place was the team from Feltham RFC. Nick Aldridge, Bill Stone, Bill Bassett and Jeffrey Stone amassed 79 points and carried off Wooden Spoon travel bags and a set of RAM post protectors for the club.

The National title was won with 80 points by one of the teams from Cleckheaton RFC. The club had two teams in the Final and Andrew Caygill, Martin Rothera, Andrew Umpleby & Craig Kelly carried off the Championship and prizes from Wooden Spoon, a golf holiday, courtesy of sponsors, Golfbreaks.com, and a new set of shirts for the club supplied by RAM Rugby.

David Trick, an great friend of Wooden Spoon, entertained the players and guests after a sumptuous meal in Walton Heath’s historic clubhouse.

The last act was to draw the Winner of the Kuoni Sport Abroad trip to the Hong Kong 7’s in March 2008. The prize was won by Oliver Hall of Ipswich RFC.

Many thanks go to everyone who participated throughout the year, all our sponsors and all the Wooden Spoon volunteers who helped during the qualifying rounds.

We look forward to welcoming all clubs into the Championship in 2009.