Cumbria County Men’s Golf team who’s lead training facility is at Penrith Golf Hub have ranked third in the country following success at the England Golf National County Finals at Whittington Health Golf Club.
The National County Finals, which took place from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 September 2024, gathered the top county teams and players from across the nation.
Cumbria secured one of four spots at the finals after winning the Northern Counties ‘Big Six’ tournament held at Ulverston Golf Club in August. For the first time in over 15 years, the team won the north region qualifier, beating two of the country’s golfing giants, Lancashire and Yorkshire, as well as Cheshire, Durham, the Isle of Man and Northumberland.
The Cumbrian squad of seven competed at the final tournament against Essex, Gloucestershire and Lincolnshire, who also bagged their spot at their respective regional tournament.
Following two halved matches against Essex and Gloucestershire, which put them in second place going into the final day, Cumbria lost six points to three points to finish third in the country.
The team came from golf clubs across Cumbria. Those that competed included: Kieran
Waters (Cumbria County Champion 2024/25, Carlisle Golf Club), Jack Hunter (Cumbria
Master Golfer of the Year, Workington Golf Club), Craig Morrow (Seascale Golf Club), Kerry Morrow (Ulverston Golf Club), Luke Quint (Ulverston Golf Club), Will Coxon (Carus Green Golf Club) and William Bowe (Workington Golf Club).
Cumbria has often faced an uphill battle when competing on the national stage with the county being one of the smallest in the country. With only 30 golf clubs here, a small fraction compared with some larger counties that boast more than 300, the difference in player base makes the success even more significant and highlights the depth of talent and commitment in the area.
Captain, Simon Young, who led the team at Whittington Heath, praised the hard work and dedication of the players: "To come third in England is a fantastic achievement for a county like ours. We may not have the numbers that other counties do, but what we do have is an incredible pride and passion for the game.
“Our players have put Cumbrian golf on the map this weekend and showed that we can compete with the very best. This result is a testament to the talent and determination within the team and we have left absolutely buzzing for the future."
Over 50 supporters travelled the three-hour journey to watch the team compete at the Litchfield-based club.
Kieran Waters, Cumbria’s 2024/25 County Champion said: “As a proud Cumbrian, it is always an absolutely honour to represent your county, but to do it on the national stage is something else.
“Although we were going into the week hoping to take home the trophy, we are over the moon to finish third in the country. It was an unforgettable weekend with the team, and to do it in front of our friends and family made it even more special.”
This achievement not only marks a high point for the current team, but also sets a benchmark for the future of golf in Cumbria. The team’s success is expected to inspire younger golfers throughout the county and raise the profile of the sport in the region.
Cumbria’s Head Coach and PGA Professional at Penrith Golf Hub the team’s training range, Andrew Pickering said: “Finishing third in England is a monumental achievement for Cumbria, and it's a testament to what can be achieved with the right support and investment.
“As the Cumbria County Men’s lead training facility, Penrith Golf Hub has played a pivotal role in helping the players reach the highest levels of competition. By providing a topclass environment under a three year partnership, we have together been able to develop a team that can go toe-to-toe with the biggest counties in the country.
“This success lays a strong foundation for the future of Cumbrian golf. It's not just about this moment—it's about inspiring the next generation of players to aim high and believe that they can achieve. The future of golf here is bright, and this is just the beginning.”
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