2025 / 26 Cross Trophy Update

I am delighted to announce the Cross Trophy dates for 2025 /26, alongside some changes which will hopefully attract even more players to the play and enjoy the competition.  I know Forest Park are desperate to retain the title (and Heworth determined to avenge their 1 point defeat !) 

We are starting earlier (first event Sept 21st at Heworth) and finishing later (last event 5th April at Pike Hills).  This is to minimise the risk of losing events to bad weather. 

We are trialling holding individual events (as opposed to doubling up) this year for two main reasons, firstly to give everyone greater opportunity to enter more Cross Trophy events and secondly (as per above) to minimise the weather risk of losing two events to bad weather in the same weekend.

The booking process will remain as per the trial for the second half of last season. Each club will have two (notional) reserved places – once two pairs from any club have entered, two reserved spots will be freed up.  All available slots can be booked by any pair from any club as soon as booking opens.  If there are only reserved slots left – please contact me directly on the Compsec email address to book those slots (assuming you are from a club which doesn’t already have two pairs entered).

We are moving to one division for prize money.  This winter more pairs won prize money with a combined handicap of less than 10 than with a combined handicap of more than 25.  This adds greater transparency as finishing at the top of the leaderboard you will know if you are in the prizes, although the number of prize places will still depend on the number of entries.  I will endeavour to announce the number of prize places prior to each event so people will know before they play how many prize places there are.

One important thing is staying the same – the Cross Trophy will still be awarded to the Club who scores the most combined stableford over the course of the season ! 

Dates for your diary below –

Friday 18th July 7pm – Booking opens for Cross Trophy events 1-3

Friday 25th July 7pm - Booking opens for Cross Trophy events 4 - 6

Sun 21 Sept – Cross Trophy 1 Heworth

Sun 28th Sept – Cross Trophy 2 Forest Park & Cross Trophy 3 Forest of Galtres    

Sun 5th Oct – Cross Trophy 4 Easingwold  

Sun 12th Oct – Cross Trophy 5 York  

Sun 19th Oct – Cross Trophy 6 Kirkbymoorside  

Friday January 2nd - Booking opens for Cross Trophy 7-9

Friday Jan 9th - Booking opens for Cross Trophy 10-12 

Sun Mar 1st – Cross Trophy 7 The Oaks  

Sun Mar 8th – Cross Trophy 8 Tadcaster & Cross Trophy 9 Sandburn Hall  

Sun Mar 15th – Mothers Day

Sun Mar 22nd – Cross Trophy 10 Malton & Norton  

Sun Mar 29th –  Cross Trophy 11 Fulford

Sun 5th April – Cross Trophy 12 Pike Hills

 

The inaugural York Union summer golf championships provided a moment of history as Thomas Pyman (Easingwold) made 5 birdies and an eagle on his way to breaking the all comers course record at Forest Park and claim the Thompson Trophy. Will Adamson (Pike HIlls) claimed runner up spot - with a well made 73 and Jimmy Batt jr was third with 75.   

Gary Nicholson (Forest Park) shot 73 gross for a fantastic net 66 to claim the Crossley Trophy from Alan Shearer (Forest Park) and Leon Wrigglesworth (Easingwold) who both made net 69's - Shearer claiming the runner up spot on countback by half a shot ! 

John Fortner (Forest Park) made 4 pars in his last 6 holes to claim the Fletcher Trophy with a net 67, Paul Whitehead (Forest Park) coming 2nd with another 69 .  Stephen Gall (Easingwold) was denied a fairytale victory (his Father won the trophy in the early 70's with Stephen carrying his bag) but managed to claim 3rd losing out on countback. 

The course was in magnificent condition (thanks Steve and team) and received many compliments !  

Thanks also to Greg in the shop and the bar / catering teams for their support on the day - as well as Pat and Margaret for stepping up to starter duties. 

The final word has to go to Thomas Pyman though - adding another trophy to his growing collection.  An exceptional front 9 of 30 - including being 4 under after 5 holes (it's not exactly an easy start either) !  

Exceptional golf played to a different standard - well played Thomas !

 

 

 

An excellent round of 75 was enough for Helen Barugh to claim the Ladies Championship - there was not much in it with only 2 holes to play - but Helen managed to finish birdie to hold off Lisa Emberson from York who played the back 9 in 1 over gross !  Emily Attwood won the Silver Division (for anyone with a WHS index of less than 21) with a fab net 68 including 7 pars on the back 9.  Sonia Simpson (The Oaks) made 3 birdies in her net 74 to claim Silver division runner up spot.  Michelle Burch used home advantage to good effect, parring the last 4 holes to shoot a magnificent net 63 and claim the bronze division trophy - just beating Karen Donal (Tadcaster) by 2 shots.  Well played to everyone and huge thanks to Heworth Golf Club - especially Eddie Travis for starter duties, Neil Ferguson for all the preparations in advance and of course the Greens and Catering teams ! 

John Mahan from the Oaks (Vice President of York Union) presented the trophies and Mike Ward (past President) was on scoring duties ! 

A great team effort !