This is Y December 2020 Digital Edition

INSPIRATION
Home favourite Mark James, an honorary life member
of Ilkley Golf club finished in a tie for 6th on level par,
while tournament host and fellow ex-Ryder
Cup captain Ian Woosnam carded a three
over par round of 72.
It was a fond return to the Broad Acres for Woosnam
who said: “It really all started for me here in
Yorkshire when I finished second to Greg Norman
in the B&H (Benson & Hedges International Open
Golf Tournament) at Fulford in 1982. I had eight
consecutive birdies in a 62 and nearly beat him at
the prize presentation, Greg said, ‘watch out for this
guy he can really play’, and that gave me a big boost
in confidence. I went out and won my first European
Tour event the following week and never looked
back.”
This is the first time I have been to Ilkley and it is truly
a great course. Yorkshire is a fantastic place to play
golf and I look forward to returning next year.”
The two day COVID-19 safe and socially distanced
event, saw dozens of Pro-Am teams tee off in
stunning sunshine, including footballing stars Ryan
Giggs, former Leeds players Robbie Fowler, Tony
Dorigo and Lee Sharpe and ex-manager Simon
Grayson, alongside cricketer Ryan Sidebottom, former
Hull KR and Rhinos player Danny Maguire and BBC TV
presenter Dan Walker.
Participants then enjoyed a socially distanced
Q&A where 1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam
was joined by Catriona Matthew, who captained
Team Europe to victory at the 2019 Solheim Cup
in Gleneagles, Scotland, and will again serve as the
European captain for the 2021 Solheim Cup, and
former US Senior Major winner Greg James.
Welcome to Yorkshire’s Chief Executive James Mason
said: “Wow, what a great two days with the backdrop
of some stunning Yorkshire scenery.
The success of the event has given us just a taster of the
kind of things we might see here in Yorkshire in the future
and a hint of the boost this could be for tourism. There
are so many amazing golf courses in the county with
spectacular countryside and coastal backdrops and we
want to make sure everyone knows about them.”
James continued: “We know how Golf tourism has
benefitted Scotland by almost £290 million a year and
while they have 500 plus courses, we have more than 180
here in Yorkshire, many of which are world-class so there is
huge potential.
“Golfers tend to also spend as they visit places for a
few days, so restaurants, hotels etc all benefit. As we all
adapt to life with COVID-19 this event has proved there’s
still plenty of fun to be had in the beautiful outdoors of
Yorkshire whilst staying safe.”
Next July leading men and women amateurs will compete
in the English Men’s and Women’s Amateur championships
on the neighbouring Leeds courses at Moortown and
Headingley. This will complete a fabulous fortnight of golf
in Yorkshire after Alwoodley was confirmed as the venue
for the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship between
21st and 24th July.
England Golf’s Director of Championships, James
Crampton said: “Moortown and Headingley are two terrific
venues and I’m sure the standard of golf on show in 2021
will match the quality of the surroundings.”
“The European Ladies’ Amateur Championship is one of
the most prestigious events on the amateur golf calendar
and we are delighted to be the host nation and playing at
Alwoodley,” added Crampton.
“Both the set-up and the reception that is guaranteed at
Alwoodley – a fantastic venue as demonstrated when they
successfully staged the 2019 Brabazon Trophy – will, I’m
sure, do the event justice.”
“Hopefully, conditions at that time will allow the golfing
public to witness some of the world’s best amateur golfers
playing for three prestigious titles, over three top-class
golf courses in the space of just two weeks.”
For more tee time inspiration
66
yorkshire.com