On Sunday, 24 July, Allendale Golf Club was the venue for the fourth round of the Northumberland Junior Golf Tour, sponsored by MacDonald Hotels.
More than 50 juniors from clubs throughout Northumberland played in 4 different categories according to their age, sex and ability. Each competition was over the first 9 holes of our course. The advanced boys and girls played off the yellow and red tees respectively, while the other groups utilised the blue tees. Most youngsters and their parents had never played our course before and many had not even visited Allendale!! There were many appreciative comments about the course, the challenge it offered, the wonderful views and even… ”however do you manage to cut the grass on those hills!”.
The junior parents provided a wonderful spread of homemade food which, along with the bar, kept people at the club well into the evening as well as raising approx £300. Another parent organised a tombola which again was generously supported by both visiting parents and Club members and raised a further £90.
But according to the feedback from Jason Budd, the competition organiser, and from those who attended on Sunday, what our visitors particularly appreciated about their trip to Allendale was the friendly welcome that they received and the hospitality throughout the day. Most left promising to return and enjoy a round of golf. Let’s hope that they do!!
The “icing on the cake” was the fact that 2 of our boys playing in on of the blue tees’ categories finished first and second – Charlie Wilson first and Jake Reed runner up. Overall off the blues, Haydn Rutherford had the best gross of the day with 35 and Jake Reed the second best with 39.
A most successful day for the Club. I believe that we created a good impression (ask Kevin and Malcolm what they think). Indeed, we must have done things well because Jason wants us to host next year and there is even talk of a girls’ inter-County match at Allendale?? Perhaps The Open the next year!!
I am not about to name names but for everyone who helped on the day and those who prepared the course, cards, food, marquee, etc, etc – A BIG THANK YOU.

Valeria Dunn
Junior Organiser