There was a major surprise at this year's Glancy tournament after Leeds JGS claimed its first ever success to win the main prize.
Leeds edged out host team Whitefield in a thrilling finale in a competition played under the auspices of the Association of Jewish Golf Clubs and Societies.
When the players and organisers arrived at the Club on Friday they found the course closed after the ravages of the summer rains and the prospect of two full days competition over the weekend seemed remote.
However, the President of the host club, Anthony Harris, was determined that the efforts that the membership and staff had put in over the past two years would not be wasted and assisted by an end to the incessant rain, all those connected with the event made sure that the course was ready for play at 7.15am on Saturday morning. In particular special praise is due to the greenstaff. The players, supporters and organisers were full of praise for the Club and the ‘we shall not be beaten attitude’ set an engaging tone for the weekend.
These are important times in the life of the Glancy, now in its 74th year of competition. The void left by the withdrawal of some of the established Clubs has been eagerly filled by the emergence of Societies whose enthusiasm has breathed fresh life and energy into the event.
Whitefield is a difficult course made even tougher by the wet ground conditions and although this was generally reflected in the scores there were some outstanding performances from a talented field.
Saturday’s play was foursomes and the best gross score of 73 was returned by Jay McGarvey and Matt Bernstein of Whitefield, whilst the net prize went to David Copeland and Daniel Gaya of Bonnyton.
The team aggregate foursomes, with three out of four gross scores counting was, won by Hartsbourne whilst Whitefield won the trophy for the net score.
Singles was the order of the day on Sunday.
The lowest gross score of 70 was produced by Elliot Dawson of Leeds Jewish Golf Society, prevailing by two shots from joint runners up, Ricky Curtis, Abridge, and Alex Webster, Leeds Jewish Golf Society.
The North East Jewish Golf Society (NEJGS) triumphed when for the first time in any Glancy, the Team representing NEJGS won four trophies.
They included The Presidents Trophy for Best Glancy Song, written by Barry Speker and performed by Barry Speker and James Taylor. This won by an overwhelming majority due to the controversial and topical content of the song and of course their musical ability. The NEJGS also clinched the Best Net overall in Singles, Best combined singles and foursomes net for Societies and Overall best net singles for a Society.
James Taylor, captain of NEJGS, said: "Our success made the effort to get the team together to compete in the Glancy so worthwhile, the Team are delighted.
"Whitefield had worked extremely hard to have the course open and in good condition for the competition, and were fantastic hosts for the Glancy."
The team NEJGS comprised of Ben Frais, Richard Grant, Richard Land Jon Lewin, Martin Schapira, Barry Speker, James Taylor and Scott Wilson.
Glancy 2012 Prize List
Whitefield Cup (Lowest net score in foursomes) David Copeland & Daniel Gaya (Bonnyton) 69.5
Coombe Hill Trophy (Lowest gross score in foursomes) Jay McGarvey & Matt Bernstein (Whitefield) 73
Blackpool & Fylde Trophy (Lowest 3 net scores out of 4 in the foursomes by a society) Notts/Sheffield JGS 228
Sidney Obrart Cup (Lowest 3 net scores out of 4 in the foursomes) Whitefield 219.5
Dyrham Park Trophy (Lowest 3 gross scores out of 4 in the foursomes) Hartsbourne 233
Potters Bar Bowl (Lowest net score in singles) Robert Beenstock (North West London JGS) 65
Sussex Cup (Runner-up to Potters Bar Bowl) Elliot Dawson (Leeds JGS) 67
Hartsbourne Cup (Lowest gross in singles) Elliot Dawson (Leeds JGS) 70
Glasgow Trophy (Runner-up to Hartsbourne Cup) Ricky Curtis (Abridge) (CPO Alex Webster (Leeds JGS)) 72
Executive Cup North Eastern JGS 434
Lee Park Trophy North Eastern JGS 434
Moor Allerton Cup Abridge JGS 464
Dunham Trophy Richard Groden with David Copeland and Daniel Gaya (Bonnyton) 139.5
David Fox Memorial Elliot Dawson with Alex Webster and Marshall Newman (Leeds JGS) 145
South Essex Trophy North Eastern JGS 669
Southport Society Trophy Wagos JGS 727
Edmondstown Cup Whitefield 654.5
Abridge Cup (Runners-up to the Edmondstown Cup) Leeds JGS 660.5
Glancy Trophy Leeds JGS 699
Shirley Trophy (Runners-up to the Glancy Trophy) Whitefield 700
Report submitted by David Harris
