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Mens IDU Team Championship Report

Crosland Heath GC – Sunday 14th September 2025

The traditional end of season Team Championship was this year hosted by Huddersfield and Halifax Golf Union at the picturesque and challenging, Crosland Heath GC.

Captain Andy Robson selected 6 players from the squad that had performed so admirably through the league season, that being, Tom Pyman, Matt Dolling, Nathan Wilkinson, Steve Lynch, Rob Hutton and George Robson and headed out for a practise round on the Saturday afternoon. The “Penine Gem” was in lovely condition and bathed in sunshine, but only for 9 holes, then the heavens opened, cutting short practise on a course that nobody had played before.

The Team reconvened in darkness the next morning ready for play at 7.30am and it would be fair to say there were mixed starts being communicated back through the field. Pyman was first off and due to the two-tee start, had to play the unseen back nine first. As did Hutton, with the rest starting on the 1st. Along with a bit of misfortune, this set back York around 10 over. Further disappointment followed with Robson’s poor start of 6 over meant that there was not only pressure on them to claw some birdies back, but for the others to compensate towards the team total.

That they did, with Lynch making birdies at will and Dolling and Wilkinson hovering at level and under-par, the Team score (which is determined by the best 5 cards from 6 returned) was looking competitive for a mid-table position. With improved back nines from Messrs Pyman, Hutton and Robson, York ended the morning in 4th, on 13 over par. Home favourites were at this stage far out in the lead and in reality, everybody else was now playing for second place.

The morning round was mainly played in benign conditions, a few clouds and relatively scorable if not for the very quick greens and tough pin positions. Then the afternoon rounds started in much more blustery winds, intermittent rain and eventually with about 6 holes to go, the temperature dropped to single figures and something similar to a tornado ripped across the course!

However, the York team had other ideas than letting the course and conditions prevail and specifically marked improvements in form from Pyman and Robson making up for the mornings scores, moved York quickly up the leaderboard and close to the possible finish of second, currently held by Teesside Union.

Regrettably, York just finished 5 shots off the Teesside score, with a 14 over second round, that finished them in 3rd place, ahead of the much-fancied Leeds Union. Captain Andy was delighted with the Teams doggedness to finish in a much-improved position than many years gone by and another place up from the League position of 4th. HHUGC had an incredible days play to finish 12 under and be crowned Champions! They also achieved something never been done before Treble, League, Team Championship and Inter-District Plate (played for at the Yorkshire Amateur).

The formal Presentation enjoyed an emotional winner’s speech from H&H Captain, Frank Greaves and then a special speech from Yorkshire Vice President Bruce Light in thanking YIDU Chairman Alan Barraclough for his commitment to the Union for 31 years who now steps down for a well deserved retirement.

Next year the Team Championship is Harrogate Unions to host and will be at Rudding Park on Sunday 13th September.Mens IDU Team Championship Report