The Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club Rabbits Section invites all men with a handicap of 16 or higher for social golf and fun, friendly matches with other clubs in the local area.
Origins of Rabbits Golf
From Yorkshire Rabbits Golf Association
The essence of a golf club is to create a place where members can enjoy playing competitive and social golf in a private environment and to be able to play inter club events such as Team knockouts etc.
Representing your club in these events usually meant that you were the lowest handicap or dare I say the best golfer. Golf Clubs like the prestige of having the best players who can win these external events.
This of course means if you are a high handicapped golfer the chances of playing in external competitions is zero.
This must have been a bone of contention for a Mr Kitching from Knaresborough Golf Club. In their minutes dated 22nd September 1922 proposed by Mr Kitching and seconded by Mr Broadbank ” That a match be arranged with Oakdale Golf Club for Saturday next for players of 18 handicap and over”
This is the first record we have of the beginnings of Rabbit Golf. We have no idea why the word Rabbit was used.
Today there 6 areas: Bradford – Flamborough – Halifax & Huddersfield – Harrogate – Leeds – Wakefield – and 101 clubs make up the membership of the YRGA.
Did Mr Kitchin have this vision of a united fraternity of golfers all with handicaps 16 and over and aged 18 upwards? Who knows; but it was an excellent idea which in its own way has created probably the largest golf club in the world and one that is still growing.
Rabbits Overview
The Rabbits Section of the club enables and encourages members of similar playing ability to meet other members and to play on a regular basis and also, if you choose, play in some friendly matches with other clubs in the area.
The Rabbits is open to all men over the age of 18 with a Handicap of 16 or higher at the start of the summer season. If you are new to golf, or returning to golf, we will help you get a starting handicap.
There is no “Section Fee” to play with the Rabbits.
Regular Gatherings
There are informal Rabbits roll-ups on Wednesdays and Fridays for a 1pm tee off throughout the summer, 12am during winter. Generally, we play in threes and fours, depending on numbers; nothing too serious; everyone welcome.
The Rabbits sponsor a summer-long “Monday-Nine” 9-hole roll-up to encourage members who are working to play with fellow Rabbits and other club members that are welcome to join-in. See details on the Club noticeboard.
Again, everyone is welcome.
The Rabbits are friendly, welcoming and generally have a drink in the bar
afterwards. After joining a couple of activities, you will quickly feel part of the Section.
Affiliations
The Rabbits are affiliated to the Yorkshire Rabbits Golf Association (YRGA), specifically the Harrogate Area Rabbits Golfer Association (HARGA), and the North East Rabbits Golf Association (NERGA).
Please share this information with your golfing friends who might want to play and socialise with TNGC Rabbits.
Contacts
2020 Rabbits Captain: Barrie Campbell, 07852 564080
2020 Rabbits Secretary: Keith Lewis, 07852 127274
The photos:
Rabbits in Scotland - 2019
TNGC Rabbits with Bedale and Easingwold Rabbits at the kick-off of the 2019 Hambleton Cup (TNGC won the 3-way match, played at all three clubs)
Autumn at TNGC - Rabbits All Year Round!