CLECKHEATON Golf Club was able to hold a star-studded professional event earlier this week.

Golf was one of the first sports to resume after coronavirus lockdown measures were eased last month, and with social distancing in place, Monday's 2020protour Hopkins Classic event went fantastically well.

Cleckheaton's vice captain, Paul Arthurs, said: "To see the likes of Ryder Cup stars Jamie Donaldson and Paul Broadhurst, European Tour player Marcus Armitage and Ladies European Tour players Amy Boulden and Carly Booth walking the fairways of Cleckheaton Golf Club is a day that will go down in history with the club.

"The event started out as a small tournament across half a day, but grew to have 114 professionals and amateurs play on the day.

"The golf club and course stood up to the task and we are very proud indeed and it was a pleasure working alongside Chris Hanson and Adam Walker.

"Chris and Adam, who are behind the 2020protour, have set up an ambitious gender equal tour which started in March.

"They have taken the opportunity to get some great exposure and calibre of field, with the European Tour not returning for another six weeks and the Ladies and Challenge Tours not ready to restart for some time."

Giving some details on how the event went, Arthurs said: "The tournament was a one round shootout for men and women over our par 70 course, with the 12 ladies competing playing the course 11 per cent shorter than the guys to give as close to a level playing field as possible.

"Our members and volunteers were amazing, as due to current restrictions, we had a member go out with each group to attend the flags and rake the bunkers.

"The club's decision to retain all green staff working full time over the past 11 weeks resulted in the course being presented in stunning condition.

"To hear the compliments for the course, and especially the greens, from the likes of Jamie Donaldson, Paul Broadhurst, Marcus Armitage, Megan Maclaren and Amy Boulden, the credit must go to Dave Woodcock, greens chairman, and the greenkeeping team.

"Scoring on the day was interesting, with only 25 players scoring under par.

"In the end, there were two players, Nicholas Poppleton from Wath GC and David Hague from Malton GC, sharing the top spot with a score of six under par (64).

"The 2020protour organisers were so impressed with the overall contribution of the club and its members that they intend to make Cleckheaton Golf Club a regular on its circuit in years to come."