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Championship Archive

Ganton has for over a century been the venue for championships and important matches. The earliest was in 1895 when Yorkshire held its second championship and it has been hosted 24 times since. The Yorkshire Ladies followed in 1899, and this title has also been contested many times.

The first English Championship was in 1923 when the famous Miss Joyce Wethered won. The Championship has been played a further 3 times; the latest winner being Miss Fiona Brown in 1999.

The equivalent Men's event has been played 5 times, perhaps the most dramatic was when Michael Bonallack won in 1968. He had a most amazing round in the morning of 61. His unfortunate opponent David Kelley set out to play par golf, thinking that if he did he would not be too many down and might in fact finish the round 1 or 2 up. He succeeded admirably in his aim, but went into lunch 11 down! Bonallack`s round was made up of 32 out and 29 in. Unfortunately, the score could not be considered official as a number of short putts were conceded. However, it is an historic round still remembered with admiration.

The British Ladies have visited 3 times; the latest being 1985 when Lilian Behan captured the title for Ireland.

Ganton has also hosted the Amateur Championship 3 times and is the only inland club to have been honoured with this Championship. The quality of the winners speak for themselves - Gordon Clark, Peter McEvoy and Gary Wolstenholme. Many other prestigious amateur events and internationals have been hosted including the Vagliano Trophy in 1995, the Curtis Cup in 2000, in 2001 the Boys' Championship and in 2003 the Walker Cup.

Various professional events and matches have been played at Ganton. In 1895 Harry Vardon beat JH Taylor by 8 and 6 which set Vardon on the path to a famous career and his first Open later that year at Muirfield. In 1899 Willie Park Junior also lost a challenge match to Vardon and two days later Mr John Ball Junior and Vardon beat Mr Freddie Tait and Park 5 & 4 over 36 holes in an International Foursomes. The next significant event was the exciting 1949 Ryder Cup which was won so dramatically on the 2nd day by the United States, having trailed 3 to 1 after the foursomes. Match score 7 - 5.

In 1951 Babe Zaharias led 5 other lady professionals from the United States in an International Mixed Foursomes partnered by British men professionals. The unique format was 6 rounds of 18 - hole Foursome Strokeplay, an American lady playing with a different British partner in each round. In 1953 the Club hosted the News of the World PGA Matchplay Championship. An exciting 36 hole final was won by Max Faulkner from Dai Rees on the last hole. Two other prestigious professional events have taken place at Ganton. In 1975 the Dunlop Masters was won by Bernard Gallacher and in 1981 Nick Faldo won the Sun Alliance PGA Championship.

In September 2003 Ganton hosted the 39th Walker Cup Match and joined Royal Birkdale and The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers in having hosted the premier team event cups ie. Ryder, Curtis, and Walker.

With regard to the Walker Cup, it is interesting to note the connections with the Club. 6 Ganton members have played in Great Britain and Ireland teams and looking through the winners and runners up of competitions at Ganton, no less than 16 have played in Walker Cup matches.