| The rugby club golfers tackled the New Course, while the Sponsors played the Old Course. The main competition has run through 2006, with qualifying rounds and Regional Finals determining the final 20 teams who met at Walton Heath.
The Championship benefits Wooden Spoon and many of the competitors are Spoon members.
 As usual, the standard of play was high and previous winners such as Ipswich RFC, St Nicholas Old Boys RFC and Nottingham RFC were represented, proving that the Championship is an established event in these clubs’ calendar. However, none of them was able to reproduce their winning score on this occasion as the Championship was won on a countback by Bradford Salem RFC with 84 points. Among the many prizes they won, the team secured a set of RAM shirts for their club courtesy of RAM Rugby.
Julian Earnshaw and Jack Redhead from Bradford Salem carried off the prize for the best pair too.
Tony Rennison, the team captain was delighted and relieved to have won. “It’s taken a lot of attempts to win,” he said “but I am delighted to have won the shirts for the club. We’ll be back next year as this has become the most prestigious Championship in its field.” The fourth member of the winning team was Graham Scarborough.
Image: Winners Bradford Salem with Geoff Morris, Wooden Spoon CEO
Southend RFC were second, proving that they can be as successful on the golf course as they are at present in National League 3 South. New RAM post protectors will adorn their posts as a prize. The club has a long association with Wooden Spoon and it was a delight to see them do well.
Third place with 81 points, also on a countback from St Nicholas Old Boys RFC and Crediton RFC, went to Wadebridge Camels. Wadebridge are first time entrants and were well rewarded for their long journey. Wooden Spoon is establishing itself in Cornwall and it is pleasing that one of the county’s leading rugby clubs has helped Spoon through its involvement.
The Championship is grateful to all the sponsors – RAM Rugby, Shield Guarding, Kuoni Sport Abroad, Laithwaites and golfbreaks.com.
Mark Seward of Sidmouth RFC was as pleased as anyone in the evening, as he was the winner in the raffle. His prize is a trip to next year’s Hong Kong Sevens, courtesy of Kuoni Sport Abroad.
The evening celebration was rounded off by Kyran Bracken, who recounted a number of tales from his days with Saracens, England and the Lions. Kyran is a World Cup winner, but Bradford Salem and disadvantaged children have won out of the Rugby Clubs Golf Championship in 2006. We will do it all again in 2007 and hope to welcome even more clubs into the Championship.
Report by: Mike Francis
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