The National Scratch was resurrected in 2024 after a significant hiatus over the Covid period, this time at Princes Golf Club on the Kent coast.
18 golfers assembled in what was forecast to be a stormy and testing conditions.
3 of the group had made the long journey down from Leeds, the rest all travelling from the London area.
As expected the wind blew hard for the 2 days of competition.
Jack Miller had a commanding lead in round 1, 1 over par through 12 holes to 6 shots over the next 4 holes but got it back together to finish +7, 2 shots back from overnight leader David Birn on +5. 7 players were within 4 shots of David after day 1 .
Day 2 brought wilder.and wetter conditions, enough to test the faint hearted.
The overnight leader faded in the first half of round 2 and the lead passed over to Logan Deyong. ​
Michael Charles soon clawed back the lead from 4 shots back with a -1 outward 9. The last 9 holes saw the lead bouncing between the 2 golfers until the final turn into the teeth of the gale on hole 16. Michael managed to protect his score well over the closing 3 holes finishing off with a fine birdie on 18th to score a tremendous +2, 74.. Logan by contrast struggled with the finishing holes and finished off 5 back tied for second with the Mark Gershinson who scored a fine +4 round of 76 on day 2 to take runner up prize on count-back.
All in all it was a great couple of days golf, played on a fabulous course in the toughest links style conditions.
Thanks to all the organisers and to all those at Princes Golf Club for having us.
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We look forwards to next years tournament with numbers akin to National Scratch Tournaments of years gone by.
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