School pupils get on course for golfing win
PUPILS from Parkside won the inaugural secondary school golf competition this week.The four-man team from Willington triumphed over 18 holes beating rivals from Wolsingham, Bishop Barrington and St John’s RCVA.
The competition, organised by the Wear Valley and Teesdale School Sport Partnership, was held at Crook golf club on Tuesday, meaning an afternoon away from the classroom for the young golfers.
SSP development manager Darren Hryniszak said: “Today went really well and we have a lot of people to thank for that, not least of all the golf club for letting us use their facilities and helping us all day.
“This was the first time we attempted a competition like this. A lot of focus is put on popular sports like football, rugby and cricket, but we want everyone to be involved in our project. Our aim is to get every child spending at least five hours a week engaged in physical activity.
“We’ve also been pretty lucky with the weather, and I can’t imagine these youngsters were too bothered about missing an afternoon of school wandering around a sunny golf course. Year nine and 11 pupils have got important exams coming up so they weren’t allowed to play, but the one’s that could spare the time had a great afternoon.” Local businesses including Eleven Arches, SBC Builders, Weardale Motor Services and the
Wear Valley Mercury sponsored holes at the course, and the winners were presented with trophies and medals by club vice-captain Alex Dolphin.
St John’s player Jamie White won the nearest t pin competition, getting his ball just 20 feet away from the cup in one shot on the seventh hole. Richard Oliver, also from St John’s hit the longest drive on hole 13, and Jonathan Grainger won the best player prize.
The winning Parkside team consisted of Craig Elliott, Christopher Elmes, James Warnett and captain Thomas Lambert who said: “Thanks to everyone at the SSP and Crook Golf club for giving us a great afternoon and getting us out of school for a few hours.”
