FOR a team event novice, Cleckheaton Golf Club’s Philip Wilkinson had a decent Sunday.

His stunning six-under par round of 64 saw hosts Cleck win the Bradford Golf Union’s Team Championship by just one stroke from South Bradford.

But unlike experienced team-mates Nigel Colbeck and Tom Vertigans, who both shot 73, it was a step into the unfamiliar for Wilkinson.

He said: “It was nice to do something to help the team, as it was the first time I’ve represented Cleckheaton, having not done scratch or team events for them before.

“It’s probably about six or seven years since I played in any scratch or team events. I did when I was younger in Leeds, but not since I’ve moved to Bradford.

“It was good to not be the weak link, as Nigel and Tom are really experienced. I’ve actually caddied for Tom in nearly every game this year, so I was used to his company.

“It helped that Sunday was on our home course, because we know it well, and I think the rain helped us.

“We were hoping the course would hold up enough for us to play, as we know we’re very hard to beat at home in bad conditions.”

Wilkinson’s 64 was unsurprisingly the best individual score of the day, as he scooped that prize too, two strokes ahead of South Bradford talent Ben Rhodes.

Rhodes’ 66 was accompanied by South Bradford team-mates Chris Foster and Andrew Busfield hitting 71 and 74 respectively.

That meant they scored 211 overall, meaning Wilkinson’s 64 was crucial in Cleckheaton’s 210.

He said: “Sixty-four would have been the course record (but the record was invalidated as the bunkers were not in play due to the rain), so it would have been nice to have that.

“But I’m definitely still proud of the achievement, especially as the event didn’t even look like going ahead with the weather on the morning.

“It would have been nice to play 36 holes, just to back up my 64, but then I could have shot 81 or something in the second round to be fair.”

Asked if this was the biggest achievement of his career to date, from both an individual and team perspective, Wilkinson said: “I have won a couple of club championships before.

“But when you look down the list of those competing, there’s usually only four or five of you in with a chance of winning.

“But there were 50 or 60 people at this Team Championship who were capable of shooting a low round, so it was nice to get a win in a stronger field.”

The golfing season is starting to wind down for Bradford Union members, but there is still one tournament Wilkinson would love to win this year.

He said: “All I’ve really got left now is the club championship at Cleckheaton, which is in a couple of weeks’ time.

“Realistically, you’re going to have me, Nige, Tom and Chris Green trying to win that one.

“But it’s very hard to beat Chris around our place, so it will be a tough challenge.”