Yorkshire golf: Odds shorten on trip to Bahamas for White Rose pairings

They are all National finalists in the inaugural American Golf 9 Hole Championship.

A pairs competition, played - as its name suggests - over 9 holes is part of American Golf’s drive to promote the shorter version of the game and get more people playing golf.

At stake at the National Final at The Belfry on October 2-4 will be a trip for two to the Bahamas, a round of golf with a TaylorMade Tour Player in 2016 plus other prizes from tournament sponsor TaylorMade Golf.

Endorsed by England Golf, the championship involved 20 qualifying events in 10 regions.

One of the qualifiers was staged at Hunley Hotel & Golf Club and two pairings made the most of playing at their home club to take the two National final places on offer - Paul Wilson and Robert Dove, and Andy Hill and Peter Stobbs.

The Midlands qualifier at Woodhall Spa also saw the qualifying places won by Yorkshire pairings Luke Eustace and Mark Kelly (Selby) and Eric and Philip Norton (Springhead Park).

The format is pairs betterball stableford off three-quarters handicap, with a shotgun start at 5.30 or 6pm.

Anyone could enter the competition, but to stand a chance of winning prizes and progressing through to the final, golfers had to have an official England Golf Handicap.

Daniel Gathercole, Head of Marketing at American Golf, commented, “With so much pressure on people’s time we think nine-hole golf has got an important role in driving golf participation.

“It’s great to have the endorsement of England Golf and to be putting on a series of events that will be great fun and will help grow the game.”

American Golf is working with industry partners such as England Golf, the Golf Foundation and This Girl Can to try to encourage more people to play golf.

They have run a series of events including Long Drive and Junior Championships as well as the 9 Hole event.