Handicap 16 and above
Rabbits Section
A Rabbit is a golfer of 16 handicap and above. At Hanging Heaton the section is busy in Yorkshire leagues, runs its own knockout for the John Bell Trophy, and still finds time for a proper presentation night.
The John Bell Trophy
The John Bell Trophy is the Rabbits individual knockout, played off full handicap. In 2025 Vaughan Day won both the trophy and Rabbit of the Year. The 2026 presentation evening is on 14 October, at 8pm.
How the Rabbits began
The idea of forming a Rabbits Golf Association was first raised by a Mr Dibb from Wetherby GC. A meeting was convened by the captain of Knaresborough GC in October 1937. At that inaugural meeting were representatives from Knaresborough, Oakdale, Pannal, Wetherby, Horsforth and Low Laithes Golf Clubs.
In 1938 the West Riding Rabbit Golf Association was formed. After the war, membership grew, and in 1958 the name changed to The Yorkshire Rabbit Golf Association (YRGA). Today there are six areas and more than 100 clubs.
The Rabbits presentation evening for 2026 is on 14 October at 8pm. The Heavy Woollen Rabbits League AGM is on 3 November.