BRANCEPETH Castle are celebrating winning the North Durham Golf Union men’s title for only the third time in the club’s history – and the ladies have shone again too.

Brancepeth won Division One for the first time in 32 years, finishing 11 points ahead of Boldon to lift the crown.

The men’s team at Brancepeth have capped a brilliant revival given they were only playing in Division 3 in 2015, when they won the first of two promotions.

The second of those arrived last year when they only lost two two matches out of the 14 played, and that was followed by this year’s triumph.

Brancepeth lost just three of their 14 matches to ensure the Durham title returned there for the first time since 1986.

Club captain David Tweddle said: “Both men’s and ladies teams have had a fantastic season. I am absolutely delighted for the players, caddies and all the club members who have provided great support.

“To have both winning the titles in their respective leagues in the same season is a fantastic achievement. The men’s team especially so after such a long wait.

“As a result it has given the club a great lift socially and competitively with all team players, members and officials being so positive. The success has also had a great impact on our junior section as they see at first hand what can be achieved.”

But the ladies weren‘t to be outdone either, making it their most successful year ever.

As hosts of the Durham County Ladies Championship, Barbara Parkin won the Greener Cup, then the silver players took both the best gross and best net team shields, while Lyn Davison reached the semi-final of the knockout competition and was selected to represent Durham County at Huddersfield in County Match Week.

Other county competition winners include Jean Atkinson, Linda Larnach and Maureen Wigham taking the Vine Trophy and Marie Thompson and Kay Cleasby winning the fourball better ball Inter County competition against Northumberland at Hexham.

The Durham County Lady Veterans Championship was also held there.

Helen Morgan won the best net and Davison and Marianne Moore reached the semi-finals of the knockout stage. Moore, Davison, Julia Elliot and Vets’ captain Rosemary Preston were all selected to represent Durham in the Richardson Trophy matches for 2018. Jane Moore represented Durham Vets in the Bronze Team match against Cumbria.

Brancepeth Ladies’ A Team topped Division One for the eighth year with a totally undefeated season and once again won the Durham County Ladies’ Anderson Shield.

The B team retained their place in Division Two, which is certainly no mean feat.

The Ladies’ handicap Team won the Sivewright South and went into a final play-off against the North winners, George Washington GC where they ended runner-up.

Lady captain Moore and Davison completed a fantastic year by winning the Durham County Ladies’ Thomlinsons Cups in September – a prestigious foursomes knockout competition played at Knotty Hill, Dinsdale and Seaham.

Tweddle said: “It’s been a remarkable year and our hopes for the future are that the players can build on the success of both teams in 2019, and for all members to enjoy their golf to ensure the success of the club continues to attract new members of all ages and abilities.”

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