The Durham Sixth Form Centre Golf Academy has earned a strong reputation for producing student golfers that excel both on the course and in the classroom. Former students have gone on to represent their country while others have secured prestigious scholarships in the United States. Our experienced team combined with outstanding facilities and a supportive environment mean student success stories are plentiful.
AoC Intercollegiate Golf Tour – North Region
In April our young golfers clinched the prestigious AoC Intercollegiate Tour North Region Team Scratch Trophy. The journey to victory began in September with a first place finish in round 1 at Matlock GC, Darbyshire. This was backed up with a win on home soil in round 2 at Ramside GC, Durham in October. Due to the biblical downpour of rain from January onwards fixture after fixture was cancelled and rearranged only to be cancelled again. The team eventually got back into action at Oulton Hall GC, Leeds in March and despite the challenging weather conditions, the scratch team, led by captain Callum Brown, rose admirably to the occasion and managed to hold the chasing pack from Myerscough, Scarborough, Derby, Birmingham and Middlesbrough at bay. A third place finish in round 4 at Oakmont Park GC, Nottingham would be enough to secure victory. This duly arrived with room to spare.
Congratulations to the team Callum Brown, Maggie Whitehead, James King, Thomas Southwell, Josh White & Jack Crampton. In addition, Alfie Baldwin (Middlesbrough), just piping Maggie Whitehead (Durham), with a late surge from defending national champion Will Sandos.
AoC Intercollegiate Tour National Finals
The National Finals at Kedleston Park GC Derby, saw DSFC qualify with two teams. One gross and one nett. The best 125 students from schools and colleges across the UK competed in a 54 hole competition. The golf course an Open Qualifying Event proved to be an excellent challenge for these young stars of the future. Despite a valiant effort from all our players we were unable to add to the silverware.
The gross team finished 7th in the scratch event (Callum Brown, Will Megginson, Thomas Southwell, Josh White).
The nett team finished 6th in the handicap event (James King, Kayla Hall, Matthew Bennett, Jack Crampton).
Congratulations to Kayla Hall runner up in the girls individual competition and Callum Brown 14th in the boys competition.
AoC ‘Ryder Cup’ North vs South
The 2nd AoC Ryder Cup competition was held at Beeston Park GC, Nottingham. Over the course of the season players in both the North and South regions have been battling it out to secure points which would see the 12 highest points scorers from each region competing in a Ryder Cup format event.
DSFC had four players selected: Callum Brown, Maggie Whitehead, Thomas Southwell and Sam Elves. Unfortunately due to exam commitments neither Maggie or Tom could take up their place in the team.
9 holes of fourballs, would be followed by 9 holes of foursomes and finally 18 holes of singles. Captains for the event were Mr R Miller (Durham Sixth Form Centre) for the North and Mr M Wheeler (Itchen College) for the South. With scores all square after the first 18 holes it would all be down to the singles. The North rained supreme running out worthy winners by 13.5 points to 10.5points. Avenging the painful defeat from 2023.
To cap off a great AoC season Maggie also received the gross winners trophy and Callum the nett winners trophy.
Durham County Schools Golf Championships
Like all of the competitions the students played in post January, the County schools also fell foul of the weather. For the first time in 53 years it was postponed by two weeks. 84 participants (10 girls and 74 boys) battled it out to be both team and individual champions. Callum Brown continued his good run of form shooting 69 to win the open age group. The ‘A’ team also won the scratch team event.
Callum Brown and Josh White secured selection for the North of England Regional Schools Championships which will be held at Heysham GC on Friday 31st May. Where Callum will captain the Durham team, comprising 4 boys and 3 girls.
Callum, Josh and James King will also battle it out at The National Golf Centre Woodhall Spa to be England Schools champions in July.
Congratulations to all our Golf Academy winners and players, an exceptional 2023/2024 season!
