Rabbits Section

Our Rabbits section is welcoming, vibrant and very active in leagues and competitions.

Rabbits Knockout Competition

The Rabbits Individual Knock Out Competition Final took place on Sunday 10th of September with Howard Ellis and Steve Ruecroft contesting the final with Rabbits Captain Greg Dixon refereeing. 

The predicted thunder storms never arrived and the match was played in nice warm sunshine and this clearly brought the best out of both players.

Great drives from each player off the first Tee and a hole halved in Par set the tone for the match which went all the way to the 17th hole with neither player ever getting more than 2 holes in front.

Howard took the 2nd hole with a nett par to go 1 up but Steve pulled back when he made par at 4. A messy 5th hole from both players saw Howard move 1 Up and a great par on 6 saw Howard 2 Up only for Steve to pinch the 8th and then par the 9th for all square at the turn.

On the back nine Steve went 1 up after 10 and excellent use of his shots by Howard meant 11 and 12 were halved, another par for Steve on 13 saw him move 2 Up but Howard responded with some fantastic drives to pull back with wins on 14, 15 and 16 to turn the match around in his favour.

Teeing off on 17 Howard pulled out another good drive and a good chip secured the hole and a 2 & 1 victory in what was a very entertaining match.






Howard Ellis (Left) and Steve Ruecroft Pictured with Rabbits Captain Greg Dixon before Sunday’s Final

Rabbits Knockout Competition

The Rabbits Individual Knock Out Competition Final took place on Sunday 2nd of October with Tony Bentley and Mick Scott contesting the final with Rabbits Captain Neil Bates refereeing. 

On a nice Sunny afternoon, the match between two players who had shown form on and off all year got underway with an expectation of a close match from those in attendance.

Mick set the tone with a Birdie on the first, Hole 2 was halved but Mick made par on both 3 and 4 to move to 3 up. Tony pulled one back on five to reduce the arrears, but Mick was not to be stopped and the next 4 holes went his way.

Tony was clearly feeling charitable as he also kindly donated to the Captains charity by finding a bunker on the 7th.

With Mick 6 up at the turn he knew he just had to keep playing as he had been and although missing his par putt on 10 he picked up another hole and closed the match out on the next for a convincing 8&7 win.




Tony Bentley (Left) and Mick Scott with Rabbit’s Captain Neil Bates before Sunday’s Final

Rabbits Knockout Competition

The Rabbits Individual Knock Out Competition Final took place on Sunday 19th of September with Connor Secker and Chris Smith contesting the final with Rabbits Captain Paul Main refereeing. 

In better than predicted weather Chris quickly took control of the match with a par on the first and with Connor unfortunate to go out of bounds on the second Chris was quickly 2 up.

Even chipping in after a penalty drop couldn’t stop Chris winning the 3rd and a minor blip for Chris as he played off the wrong tee to give Connor the Fourth, was quickly recovered with a birdie on five. More wins on seven and eight put Chris 6 up.

Holes 9 through 13 were traded and when Chris took the spoils on hole 14 Connor had run out of holes and Chris won the match 6&4.

 

 

 

 

John Bell Final 2021

Connor Secker (left) and Chris Smith pictured with the John Bell Trophy before the final

Rabbits Knockout Competition

The Rabbits Individual Knock Out Competition Final took place on Sunday 20th of September with Richard Clayton and Gavin Clay contesting the final. 

The match up had even more significance this year as it was Uncle Richard against Nephew Gavin, with a small amount of family bragging rights on the line. 

The match proved to be a very tight affair with Gavin going up by one and Richard constantly pegging him back. The loss of 2 Orange balls didn’t help Richard’s cause and Gavin turned in front. 

The back nine proved equally as tight a contest, then, perhaps, the pivotal moment on the 12th as Gavin, looking to go 2 up chipped in from off the green. Not to be denied Richard then holed a monster putt to halve the hole “WOW” was the cry from Captain Steve Halloran.

Holes were traded and then on the 17th Richard went in front and held his nerve down the last to win a great match 1 up.

John Bell Final 2020

Richard Clayton (left) and Gavin Clay Pictured with Rabbits Captain Steve Halloran on the 1st Tee

Rabbits History

The idea of forming a Rabbits Golf Association was first raised by a Mr Dibb from Wetherby GC. (A Rabbit being a golfer of 16 handicap and above). 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.

In 1939 arrangements were made to increase the number of clubs and to have an anual competition. This was called the Thornton trophy which is still played for today. It was donated by a Mr Thornton from Wetherby GC, who was then asked to be the first president.

After the war was over in March 1946 a meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel in Leeds to revive the association. The membership was then 15 clubs.

In 1948 the Bradford area was formed and by 1954 there were 5 areas. At the AGM of 1958 it was agreed to change thec name to”The Yorkshire Rabbit Golf Association” (YRGA). Today there are 6 areas, Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate, Halifax & Huddersfield, Wakefield and Flamborough. Which is 103 clubs in total.

The Rabbits A.G.M. & Presentation Evening is held annually in November

Rabbits Success

David Whitington & Martin Howe receiving their Jack Roberts Trophy award for 2017.

Scroll to Top