RABBITS GOLFERS

We are male golfers aged over 18 with a handicap index of 15 or more which, at Bingley St Ives, equates to a playing handicap of 17. Golfers with a handicap index of 14.9 or less and Lady golfers are also welcome to join us as Associate members.

Our Club competitions are divided into 3 Divisions according to handicap – in line with the YRGA rules below – and prizes are awarded respectively.  Division 1 is for golfers with a handicap index between 15 and 19.4, Division 2 for golfers with a handicap index of 19.5 to 54, and Associates as above.

Why Rabbits ?

Our origins to back to 1937 when several clubs got together to promote social and competitive golf for higher handicap golfers. Why they were called Rabbits is unknown but it seems only to apply in Yorkshire. Today nearly 100 clubs are members of the Yorkshire Rabbits Golf Association within 6 regions across the combined county. Locally, clubs are also members of the Bradford & District Rabbits Golf Association who organise league and knockout competitions. Click the buttons below to view the Rabbits Golf Associations Websites.

Competitions – Qualifying Handicaps

To be eligible to play in YRGA competitions, Rabbit golfers must have a handicap index of 15 or more, extending to the maximum handicap of 54.  Team competitions require one player within the range 15 – 21 and the other in the range 21.1 – 54.

To play in BDRGA competitions, Rabbit golfers must have a handicap index of 15.5 or more. This aligns with Bradford Union’s 8-15 section which has a maximum eligible handicap index of 15.4. For league matches each player in the team of 3 must have a handicap index in the respective ranges of 15.5 – 17.4, 17.5 – 20.4 and 20.5 plus. For knockout matches, the 2 players must each have a respective handicap index of 15.5 – 20.4 and 20.5 plus. For BDRGA Sunday team competitions – Presidents Cup, 18 hole and team championships there is a maximum playing handicap limit of 36

These rule changes have been made by the YRGA and BDRGA following the introduction of the World Handicap System by Golf England on 2nd November 2020. Previously Rabbit golfers were eligible with a handicap of 15.5 or more

How to Join ?

You can become an annual Member or Associate member of the Section by paying £7.50 through the Club V1 system using the knockout option of the Members app or the screens in the Proshop or 19th. This money will be taken from your club card. Alternatively you can put your payment in a named envelope in the box within the pro shop or pay £7.50 to any Committee member below. 

In addition to taking part in the competitions below, you will be entered in a monthly draw where 2 members will win £20 credited to your pro shop account. We also award a credit of £25 to any member or associate member who has a hole in 1 in any official weekend qualifying club competition

Any Questions ?

If you have a suggestion, want more information or have a query that is not answered by this page, please email us on rabbits@bingleystivesgc.com.

Full information can be found by downloading our Rules and Guidance found at the bottom of this page

RABBITS NEWS

Full details of Rabbits competitions, matches, members and Committee members are listed below and displayed on our notice board in the gents locker room.  

The monthly Rabbits Section draw winners for August were Andy Moulds and Ben Hall who both receive £20 credited to their pro shop accounts. A list of previous winners is displayed on the Rabbits Section notice board and in the Ladies locker room.

The Annual General Meeting of the Rabbits Section was held in Billy’s Bar at the Clubhouse on Tuesday 6th December 2022 at 6.30pm.

Click here to view Rabbits 2022 AGM Minutes

The meeting started with the presentation of trophies for the 2022 season to the following winners. Congratualtions to all.

Tony O’Melia Challenge Trophy          Andrew Flaherty

John Stead Memorial Trophy              Dai Jones

Rabbits Captains Shield, Division 1    Andrew Flaherty

Rabbits Captains Shield, Division 2    Paul Dowse

Rabbits Presidents Cup                          Ian Woods

Rabbits Officers Trophy                         Michael Fordham

Buck Rabbit Shield – Rabbits               Michael Fordham 

Buck Rabbit Plate – Associates            Tony Viqueira

Thwaites Trophy                                    Neil McKay

Don Marshall Memorial Trophy (Order of Merit) Andrew Flaherty

Rabbit of the Year                                  David Steel     

RABBITS RESULTS

Rabbits Captain’s Trophy, 17th September – the winners and runners-up were Division 1 – Tony Teale (37 points) and Andrew Hudson (34 points), Division 2 – Ron Kendall (37 points) and Haldane Blues (37 points), and Associates – Warwick French (39 points) and Anthony Rape (38 points). Ron Kendall wins the trophy on a countback from Tony Teale. David Short won nearest the pin. The 2s Club of £39 was shared by 5 players.

Headingley Challenge, 13th September – Bingley St Ives won this annual 4BBB matchplay “friendly” at Headingley GC by 3 matches to 1 with 2 draws, resulting in the trophy being retained. Well done to the winning pairs of John Raybould & Andrew Flaherty, Eddie Robinson & David Steel, Graham Sugden & Tony Viqueira, and to those who drew Mick Fordham & Ray White and Mark Fairbrass & John Musto.

Buck Rabbit, 5th September – the winners were Roy Kilvington (Division 1) with 26 points, Andrew Orrah (Division 2) on 30 points and Anthony Rape (Associates) with 26 points and Mick points Fordham runner-up on 24 points. All 4 qualify for the Buck Rabbit final on 1st October. As Roy Kilvington has already qualified, Julian Wood also qualifies as runner-up. The 2s club of £35 was shared by Brian Gomersall and Phil Cutting.

Rabbits Officers Trophy, 1st September – this single stableford competition was won by John Raybould with 38 points from Gary Knapton on 36.

Rabbits v Ladies, 30th August – teams of 18 (a record number) competed in this annual 4BBB stableford format over 12 holes for the Clare Lyness trophy which the Ladies narrowly retained by a total of 227 to 225 points. Congratulations to the Ladies Section.

Rabbits Presidents Cup, 13th August – the winners were Andrew Hudson (Division 1) with 38 points, Chris Davey (Division 2) with 41 points and Deborah Buttrick (Associates) with 40 points and Richard Maddocks as runner-up on 38 points. Craig Robinson won the 2s Club of £47 and Nick Jarvis won nearest the pin.

Buck Rabbit, 1st August – the winners were Andrew Hudson (Division 1) with 30 points, Mike Burnham (Division 2) on 24 points and Richard Hindle (Associates) with 28 points and David Scott as runner-up. All 4 qualify for the Buck Rabbit final on 1st October. As Andrew Hudson and Mike Burnham have already qualified, Bob Dearnley and Trevor Smith also qualify as runners-up. The 2s club of £50 was won by 4 players.

Rabbits Captain’s Trip – 36 Rabbits and Associates members enjoyed the trip to Low Laithes GC near Wakefield in good weather. The winners were Mark Fairbrass (Rabbits), Julie Steel (Ladies) and David Short (Gents Associates). The winning team were David Short, Bob Dearnley, Ron Kendall & Sam Harvey / ghost.

John Stead Memorial Trophy, 16th July – the winners were Anthony Rape (Division 1) with 35 points, Mark Brewerton (Division 2) with 32 points (on a countback from David Steel) and Jack Carney (Associates) with 36 points from Peter Akester as runner-up with 35 points. Anthony Rape wins the trophy. The 2s club of £35 was shared by 3 players. Pete Edmondson won nearest the pin.

Buck Rabbit, 4th July – the winners were Andrew Hudson (Division 1) with 30 points, Keith Atkinson (Division 2) on 28 points and Sam Brooks (Associates) with 28 points on a countback from Julie Steel as runner-up. All 4 qualify for the Buck Rabbit final on 1st October.  The 2s club of £56 was won by Eddie Hodgson.

O’Melia Challenge, 18th June – the winners were Dave Priestley (Division 1) with 37 points, Ian Woods (Division 2) with 41 points and Pete Edmondson (Associates) with 38 points. Ian Woods wins the trophy. The 2s club of £37 was shared by 4 players. Matt Dyson won nearest the pin

Buck Rabbit, 6th June – the winners were Mike Rewilak (Division 1) with 24 points (on a countback from Bob Dearnley), Mike Burnham (Division 2) on 27 points and Carole Barrott (Associates) with 27 points on a countback from Neil Butler as runner-up. All 4 qualify for the Buck Rabbit final on 1st October.  The 2s club of £72 was shared by Chris Johnson and Brian Watherston.

BDRGA Presidents Cup, 4th June – the BSIGC team of Mick Ling, Mike Rewilak, Graham Buttrick and Alan Thornber finished 13th out of 24 clubs in the Bradford District who entered. The Cup was won by Rawdon with the home club West Bradford finishing second for a change !

Buck Rabbit, 2nd May – the winners were Ian Arbuckle (Division 1) on 27 points, John Richardson (Division 2) on 26 points and Neil McKay (Associates) with 30 points and Stewart Mitchell as runner-up with 27 points. The 2s club of £65 was shared by 2 players. All four qualify for the Buck Rabbit Final on 1st October.

Buck Rabbit, 18th April – the winners were Roy Kilvington (Division 1) with an excellent 33 points, Brian Watherston (Division 2) with 26 points, and Tony Viqueira (Associates) with 28 points and Hilary Kendall as runner-up with 27 points. The 2s club of £59 was shared by 4 players. All four qualify for the Buck Rabbit Final on 1st October.

Winter Buck Rabbit, 2nd April – the winners were Jack Carney (Division 1) with 26 points, Graham Smith (Division 2) with 27 points and Gavin Conway (Associates) with 28 points and Nick Kelly as runner-up with 27 points. The 2s club of £43 was shared by 5 players. The full results are available on the Rabbits notice board in the gents locker room

Winter Buck Rabbit, 19th February – the winners were Dave Priestley (Division 1) with 26 points, John Hill (Division 2) with 31 points and Anthony Rape (Associates) with 30 points and Warwick French as runner-up with 28 points. The 2s club of £53 was shared by 8 players. The full results are available on the Rabbits notice board in the gents locker room

Winter Buck Rabbit, 5th February– the winners were Tony Teale (Division 1) with 25 points, Ray White (Division 2) with 28 points and David Short (Associates) with an excellent 32 points and Ben Mosley runner-up on 28 points. The 2s club of £46 was shared by 7 players. The full results are available on the Rabbits notice board in the gents locker room.

Winter Buck Rabbit, 27th November – the winners were Mick Fordham (Division 1) with 28 points, John Hill (Division 2) with 26 points and Luke Wilcock (Associates) with 28 points and David Short runner-up with 26 points. The 2s club of £35 was shared by 4 players. The full results are available on the Rabbits notice board in the gents locker room.

Thwaites Trophy – the winner of this knockout competition is Neil McKay who narrowly defeated Andrew Flaherty on the final hole

Buck Rabbit Final, 2nd October – this single stableford trophy competition was won by Michael Fordham of the Rabbits qualifiers with 38 points and Tony Viqueira for the Associate members who qualified. For the Rabbits, Neil McKay finished 2nd, David Joliffe 3rd, Allan Charnock 4th, Phil Cutting 5th and Brian Gomersall 6th. For the Associates, Julie Steel was 2nd and Jane Flaherty 3rd

Shipley Challenge, 18th September – Bingley St Ives won this annual 4BBB matchplay “friendly” at home to Shipley by 4 matches to 2, resulting in the trophy passing to BSIGC. Well done to the winning pairs Andrew Flaherty & David Steel, John Barrott & Ron Kendall, John Pilkington & Mike Rewilak and Alex Carter & Anthony Rape. Ray White & Roy Carney and Michael Fordham & Danny Nommick lost narrowly.

RABBITS COMPETITIONS – 2023

Trophy competitions – the Rabbits Section runs stableford competitions on Sundays throughout the season, including a Finals Day and Officers Trophy held at the end of the season. Details and dates of all competitions are listed below. You can enter via the normal Club V1 tee booking system. The entry fee will be automatically deducted from your club card account.

• O’Melia Challenge, 18th June – single stableford competition with pro shop credit prizes to the winners of all 3 Divisions, plus 2s club
• John Stead Memorial Trophy, 16th July – single stableford competition with pro shop credit prizes to the winners of all 3 Divisions, plus 2s club
• Rabbits Presidents Cup, 13th August – single stableford competition with pro shop credit prizes to the winners and runners-up of all 3 Divisions, plus 2s club and nearest the pin
• Rabbits Captains Trophy, 27th August – single stableford competition with pro shop credit prizes to the winners and runners-up of all 3 Divisions, plus 2s club and nearest the pin
• Rabbits Officers Trophy, Friday 1st September – single stableford competition for present and previous members of the Rabbits Committee
• Rabbits Finals Day, Sunday 1st October – single stableford competitions for the winners and runners-up of the respective Rabbits and Associates divisions in the monthly Buck Rabbit competitions

Buck Rabbit competitions – played on the first Tuesday of every month as a single stableford over the first 12 holes, plus a 2s club. The winners of each Division receive prizes as pro shop credits and go forward to the Buck Rabbit Final (above), as does the runner-up in the Associates Division. In addition, Buck Rabbit competitions are played on Sundays throughout the winter between the Winter Grand Prix competition dates, assuming the course is playable. The club’s Competition Secretary will issue planned dates when announcing the Winter Grand Prix schedule

Thwaites Trophy knockout competition – the Section also runs a matchplay knockout competition for the Thwaites Trophy. You can enter via the Knockouts menu option on the Club V1 app. The club’s Competition Secretary will confirm when this and other club knockout competitions are available to enter. The entry fee will be automatically deducted from your club card account. Prizes as pro-shop credits are awarded to the winner and runner-up (50%)

Rabbits Captain’s Trip – is to Low Laithes Golf Club near Wakefield on Friday 21st July. Further details to be given nearer the time.

Friendly matches – the Section organises friendly matches at home and away with other clubs in the district, where you only pay for the after-match meal. If you wish to play, please confirm your availability for each match in the Club Teams menu option of the Club V1 app. The Rabbits Vice Captain will contact you regarding selection. This year the matches arranged are –

• Skipton GC (away) on Sunday 14th May at 2.00pm
• Cleckheaton GC (away) on Tuesday 13th June at 4.30pm
• Cleckheaton GC (home) on Tuesday 25th July at 4.00pm
• South Bradford GC (home) on Thursday 3rd August at 5.00pm
• Bradford (Hawksworth) GC (home) on Tuesday 22nd August at 2.30pm
• Rabbits v Ladies (home) for the Clare Lyness trophy on Wednesday 30th August at 3.30pm
• Skipton GC (home) on Sunday 3rd September at 1.00pm. Cancelled, Skipton unable to field a team
• Headingley Challenge v Headingley GC (away) on Wednesday 13th September at 1.00pm
• Shipley Challenge v Shipley GC (away) – Sunday 15th October for breakfast

BRDGA / YRGA League and knockout matches – as a member of both Rabbits Associations, the Section participates in League matches against other teams of the Bradford & District league, which has 4 Divisions with promotion and relegation at the end of every season. Matches are played home and away every Thursday from 5.00pm and the result notified to the League Secretary that evening. If you wish to play, please confirm your availability for each match in the Club Teams menu option of the Club V1 app. The Rabbits Captain will contact you regarding selection.

The Section also enters 2 teams (A & B) in the respective foursomes knockout competitions run by the BRDGA and YRGA for the Chippendale Trophy and Fowler Trophy. If you wish to be considered for selection, please contact the Rabbits Captain.

 RABBITS COMMITTEE AND RULES

If you wish to speak with or join the Committee, please get in touch with any of the members for 2023 listed below

Andrew Flaherty – President and Competition Secretary

Gary Knapton – Captain

David Steel – Vice Captain

John Barrott – Secretary

Eddie McBrien – Treasurer 

Graham Buttrick

Alan Thornber

Julie Steel

Roy Kilvington

The Committee Meeting dates for 2023 are – 

Thursday 16th February @ 5.30pm

Tuesday 4th April @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 16th May @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 20th June @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 11th July @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 15th August @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 12th September @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 17th October @ 6.30pm

AGM – Tuesday 5th December at 6.30pm

Membership and meeting dates are also displayed on the Rabbits Section notice board in the gents locker room

We look forward to seeing you this year on the course or in the clubhouse