Brickendon Grange Golf Club beat Brampton Park in a closely fought final to win the 2023 British Clubs Mixed Championships.
Brickendon Grange, who were south-west regional champions [despite being based in Hertfordshire], fought back from two matches down to win the final 3-2 after a day of high drama at The Oxfordshire.
Neil and Claire Hewson got south-east champions Brampton Park off to the perfect start with a 4&2 victory over Steve Dawson and Val Morrison. And when Greg and Anne Wills held on to win on the 18th against Anuj Patel and Alison Wood, who fought back after being five down with five to play, it looked like Brampton were going to land the trophy.
However, Brickendon Grange’s Rob and Alison Ellis beat Graham and Cath Emery 3&2, then Bob Van Hamme and Gerry Grant won 3&1 against Vin and Pam Lammiman.
It left the fourth match out on the course to decide the result and Graham & Gill Lamb held their nerve to defeat Alan Phillips and Di Aloia by two holes.
There was an even closer encounter in the third place play-off, as Wales’ Rhos-on-Sea GC edged a brilliant game 3-2 against Scarborough South Cliff, with the match going down to the last game on the 20th hole.
Northern champions Scarborough won two of the first three rubbers – with Gary Dixon and Kate Owen beating Dawn Jones and Stuart McKellar on the 18th and Ian Bland and Alison Lockwood winning 4&3 against Pat Ellis and David Roberts.
But Greg Hardwick and Jenny Stewart grabbed the second game 2&1 against Shaun and Ruth Smith and Carrie Parisella and Tracey Williams beat Neil Bruce and Anita Arnold Forster 3&1 to level the match. It was left for Sue Ashley and John Dickson to seal third place for the north Wales side after defeating Rob Hobson and Judy Locking on the second extra hole.
Clubs from all over England, Scotland and Wales took part in this year’s championships. Entries for next year’s event are now open via www.mixedgolfevents.com or by emailing [email protected].