The SCC: Ryder Cup Venue Wins rights to host SCC Exhibition 2009

Thursday 18 June 2009

Ryder Cup Venue Wins rights to host SCC Exhibition 2009

Given the increasing profile of the SCC events, the committee have come under increasing pressure to ‘take it to the masses’. There have been calls for the competition to be expanded from 4 to 6 teams, a suggestion that has been shot down in flames. As a compromise the committee have agreed to an exhibition event the day before the 2009 edition kicks off when Team Birmingham begin their defence at 9.30am at Pennard GC.

The exhibition / warm up event is taking place at Celtic Manor, South Wales at 9.40am (for those wishing to view the event tickets can be purchased at http://www.thisgolfisawesomeandineedtowatchit.com/). Celtic Manor are in need of a major golfing event and whilst they recognise they will never be eligible to host the event proper due to not being a links course this is considered a great win by the venue. The upcoming Ryder Cup has failed to excite the golf viewing public due the lack of big names and it is thought that having the Williams sisters (taking a break from Wimbledon), Neil I haven’t got a back (or a partner), Matthew (who are these people that I see once a year, sometimes twice!) will really pull the crowds.

The star studded line up is not complete however, the biggest draw of all Pimon Sorter is yet to confirm his availability. He is in the process of securing 3 year sponsorship deal from IBM for the SCC, which would allow the superstars to take the event global.

Peter Bumwell is the only person confirmed to be gaying out of the event and I’m sure I speak for all the competitors when I say he will be sorely missed!!!!!!! Celtic Manor are said to be delighted though as there were fears that Bumwell's participation would ‘dilute the quality of golf on display’.

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SCC History

The idea of an annual golfing challenge between Birmingham and Manchester was first proposed at some time over the Christmas of 2005. Since that time, two-ball teams have fought over a gruelling weekend for the honour of calling their city ‘Britain’s Second City’.

Royal Nefyn Golf Course in North Wales hosted the first competition over the Easter of 2006.

The representatives of Birmingham, Nicholas Brooker and Benjamin Williams fought to the last hole of an intense weekend of golf, over three rounds, only to succumb to a world-class put on the final hole from Peter Bramwell, representing Manchester. Neil Guyton, the other member of the Manchester pairing carded an estimated two under par for the final round to help the Mancunians to the title of Britain’s Second City, 2006.

The success of the competition in its fledgling year was enough to generate interest from other cities around the country believing they can stake a claim to the title of Britain’s Second City.

The competition moved to Royal St Davids in 2007 and witnessed a swelling in competitor numbers with the introduction of groups from Liverpool and Nottingham. Mathew Atkinson playing for Liverpool and Simon Porter and Dominic Williams playing for Nottingham were unable to mount any sort of a challenge in the new format competition. Manchester retained their crown after another tense final hole in which Nottingham could have won either the title or wooden spoon. They ended up with the latter. Birminghams challenge was dealt a cruel blow as Ben Williams was struck down by tonsilitus.

SCC2008 was hosted by Averdovey over a cold and windy April weekend. For the first time, competitor numbers were at capacity with the addition of Chris Seddon to the Liverpool team. As seems to be the tradition with the competition, the title went to the last hole where Birmingham held their nerve against a rejuvinated Nottingham pairing. Liverpool collected the wooden spoon.

SCC2009 tooks the competitors to South Wales and the Pennard Golf Club, near Swansea. With a surge of golf club membership over the summer, the event promised to dish up golf of an even higher quality than had been witnessed so far. However, the extreme challenge presented by Pennard reduced the competetors to wrecks of the former golfers they once were! Manchester secured their 3rd title at the 16th hole of the final round against a highly competitive Team Liverpool. Birmingham narrowly beat Liverpool to second place with a final round victory over the wooden spoon winners Nottingham.

2010 was a big year for the SCC. The 5th year anniversary competition saw the teams take on a the new challenge of Tenby Golf Course. In a break with tradition, this years captain was elected from outside of the original foursome and all agreed than Matkinson did an excellent job. Neil Guytons absence from the Team Manchester line up did little to change the recent trend. Pet Bumwell, partnered by Matt Miller, chalked up another victory on the excellent Tenby track. The only thing counting against the course was the huge journies faced by all.

2011 saw Nick take up the captaincy reigns. The SCC went back to it's roots and introduced Nottingham and Liverpool to the wonders of the old course at Neffyn.

2012 is a seminal year in the history of the competition. The format and name were both changed in order to expand the number of competitors to 9. The Second City Challenge from this point on became simply The SCC. The new competition now pitches 3 3-ball teams against each other, drawn according to handicap this year, but in future years based upon performance in the previous years competition. The first test of the new competition was held at Pyle and Kenfig. 'Getting blobby' was born amidst some high scoring as a result of the usual SCC weather.

2013 took The SCC to North Wales Golf Club, Llandudno in the hope of providing a slightly less harsh golfing test for the players. The rain and wind stayed away for the most part and scores were must improved. An early target for best individual score was set by B Williams of 46 points (off a handicap of 20).

Thursday 18 June 2009

Ryder Cup Venue Wins rights to host SCC Exhibition 2009

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