Yorkshire golf: Net albatross crucial as Wayne Arnold wins Huddersfield GC's Stableford event

WAYNE ARNOLD might have expected to be a runaway winner of Huddersfield GC's February Stableford after handing in a card showing a return of 45pts.

But he only triumphed by a single point, Derek Moore no doubt feeling somewhat aggrieved that 44pts was insufficient for first place.

Even Marcus Hedley, third with 43, would have had cause for optimism with such a haul.

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But 19-handicapper Arnold proved unbeatable, his score bolstered by an admirable 27pts on the outward nine.

A net birdie at the second kick-started his round and he followed it with an eagle/net albatross at the 494-yard par-5 third hole for a further five points.

He also had a par/net eagle at the fifth, a birdie/net eagle at the seventh hole and a net birdie at the next.

Coming home his scoring was a lot more serene but consistent, a net birdie at 16 being followed at the next by his only one pointer of the round.

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Moore would not have known it, but a stumble at the 475-yard par-5 last cost him his chance of edging the competition on countback.

The 15-handicapper had a birdie/net eagle at the second and three net birdies - at holes four, five and nine - to tally 20pts at halfway.

His par/net birdie at the ninth was the first of nine consecutive gross pars, all but the one at the 10th producing net birdies, but a bogey at the 18th meant his inward tally of 24pts was one shy of a tie.

Eight-handicapper Hedley began with a net birdie at the first, and had gross birdies at both six and eight, the former for a net eagle.

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He had another birdie/net eagle at the 12th, a net birdie at 16, and closed with gross birdies at 17 and 18.

Sixty-eight-year-old Arnold and his wife, Ann, have been members at Huddersfield and Cleckheaton GC for 30 years.

He plays in Seniors' Opens all across the North of England during the summer months, in addition to around 25 qualifying competitions at his home clubs.

"With respect to the Fixby February Stableford, it must immediately be stressed that because of course conditions caused by the weather the course was much reduced in length," he said.

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"My first nine holes were completed in one over par gross including an eagle on the third hole. For that opening nine the ball just seemed to always go where intended, irrespective of the competence of the man holding the club.

"The magic spell expired for the second nine of 18 points, but did include a birdie."

Among Huddersfield's many 125th anniversary celebrations is an Open Week, running from Monday, July 11 to Sunday, July 17.

Monday is a Seniors Open (over 50s), Tuesday an any combination Texas Scramble, Wednesday a men's open, Thursday a ladies open, Friday a 125th members' championship, Saturday a members' invitation day, and Sunday a junior open.

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Further information about the competitions can be found on the club's website, www.huddersfield-golf.co.uk.

HORNSEA GC'S past lady captain Wendy Lockwood came out on top in the Scorpion Trophy, but only by a point.

The 14-handicapper amassed 33pts to edge Debbie Goddard-Taylor into second place.

Sarah Ahearne took third place, a further three shots back,

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