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We are thrilled to announce that Kirkbymoorside Golf Club has been chosen to host an England Golf event for the first time in its 117-year history.

Our course, situated on the southern foothills of the North York Moors, will play host to an ‘Area Final’ qualifying venue for the prestigious Race to Woodhall Spa on Sunday 2nd June 2024.

The Race to Woodhall Spa is a respected amateur event that sees club golfers from 10 regions fight it out in Area Finals for a spot in the Grand Final, which takes place at Woodhall Spa’s Hotchkin course in Lincolnshire in August 2024.

“This is a huge honour for the club,” said Kirkbymoorside Club Manager Richard Carr.

“We are thrilled, and excited to showcase our course to some of the best amateur golfers in England.”

Kirkbymoorside GC, which is carved out of the ancient Manor Vale forest, was recently voted in the Top 50 UK Courses under £50 a round by Bunkered magazine and is a picturesque collection of challenging holes complemented by a large modern clubhouse and restaurant.

“The Race to Woodhall Spa is a major event for England Golf, and Kirkbymoorside Golf Club are proud to be a part of it,” said Club President Kevin Hughes.

England Golf Tournament Manager, Sam Barker-Sabido, added: “Kirkbymoorside is an excellent course for an Area Final because it is such a strong and fair test for players of all abilities.

“We are enjoying working with the club during the planning process of the event and look forward to coming to Kirkbymoorside in June.”

Entrants can play practice rounds at KGC for the guest rate of £20pp.

“Our course will be in superb condition and will provide a challenging test for all the participants,” said Kirkbymoorside GC Greens Chairman Pete Collier.

Fresh off the back of winning the York Ladies Championship on home turf, we caught up with Kirkbymoorside member Elaine Arnott.

She has been with us only 11 months, but the five-handicapper is already a popular figure at the club and comes with a serious pedigree.

Indeed, this is the third time she’s won the YLC, following success in 2001 and 2002 at Pike Hills and York.

It was a long time between drinks due to a sabbatical from the game to focus on work, but Elaine took out her latest title at our club earlier this month. With four KGC members in the top five (nett – see results below), it showed that local knowledge can be helpful, but also that our ladies section is thriving. For Elaine, however, there is still some learning to do.

“Playing on a home course can be an advantage,” she said.

“But I have a lot of thinking to do out there – I am still learning the course given I only joined in August!

“The club fielded a number of good players and the course was playing very fair, with not much wind and receptive greens.”

Elaine shot 77 to win the gross event by two shots, but it wasn’t plain sailing. She got off to a rough start, trailing by four shots at the half-way mark following a 42. A pair of two-putt birdies, though – on 11 and 13 – gave her a timely boost and she kept pushed on to post a two-under 35 on the back nine.

“I am pleased I kept my head in the game after that front nine,” she said.

“11 got my round going and being in a group with the eventual second-place finisher meant I knew the scores all the time and what I needed to do.”

Born in York, Elaine first picked up a club aged 13 at Heworth after being inspired by Seve Ballesteros playing in the Benson & Hedges Championship.

By 16, she was off 4 and picked up county honours as well as the 1987 Yorkshire Schools title. She is currently part of the 2023 Yorkshire Veterans County side.

“At my age, I can still hit the ball as well as I ever have, but concentration can be an issue!”

We’ve all been there! The club would like to wish Elaine sincere congratulations and we all hope this is the first of many titles she wins as a KGC member.

GROSS RESULT

1 Elaine Arnott (KGC) 77
2 Helen Barugh (Fulford) 79
3 Sonia Simpson (Oaks) 83
4 Carol Simpson (M&N) 85
5 B. Pickles-Mercer (Easingwold) 87

NETT RESULT

1 Elaine Arnott & B.Pickles-Mercer 72
3 Julie Gamble and Tracy Hutchinson (both KGC) 75
5 Rudee Spanton (KGC) 76

Our 2023 Open season continues on Saturday with the Gents’ Am-Am.

There are a couple of spots left – over 150 golfers are signed up – so be sure to act fast. Click here to book a last-minute spot. 

We have five other Open events in the 2023 schedule, with the Ladies’ Am-Am on Wednesday 26th July next up, followed by the Senior Open on Thursday 27th July. There is room for three more teams in each of those events, so time is of the essence. Click here to book a spot.

Our Mixed Open on August 26th is almost full, as is the Ladies’ Tri-Am on 6th September, but our Rabbits Open on 13th September has spots available all over the tee sheet. It’s just £70 for a team of four for handicaps 15-28. Click here to book a spot while you have freedom to select a time!

To find out more about any of our Open events, please visit kirkbymoorsidegolf.co.uk/open-days