Record Number of Competitors at Golden Grouse Clay Shoot

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A record 202 National Gamekeepers’ Organisation members competed in this year’s much anticipated NGO Golden Grouse Clay Shoot which was held at Eastgate Quarry in County Durham on 7 June.

High winds and rain which had led up to the event, and at one point threatened its cancellation, finally receded, leaving Roger Ayton, a North York Moors headkeeper, to take the NGO Golden Grouse Trophy with a score of 76. This was Roger’s third win, having triumphed in the Junior class in 2008 and carried off the NGO Golden Grouse itself in 2015.

As it is customary for the winner of the NGO Golden Grouse to host the shoot the next year, 2018 will be the second time Roger hosts the event. ‘Winning is a double-edged sword!’, he joked, adding, ‘This was a very testing layout though, in part due to the wind, so I didn’t think I’d done enough to win.’

The Ladies winner was Emma Lowrison, with a score of 55, the Junior winner was Matthew Graves with a score of 55, and Veteran winner was Anthony Simpson with a score of 63. High Gun for the day went to NGO supporter Les Rushworth with an excellent score of 77 and the Side-by-Side category went to Gareth Maund with 72. For the full results please click here.

Speaking after the event, Sarah Read, NGO Development Officer (North) said: ‘Thank you to everyone who attended the event, and a special thank you to all our sponsors who make this event possible for the members: L &, A Dent Game Dealers, Polaris UK, Gardiners Farm and Country Store, Darlington Vet Clinic, Owens Grouse Grit and Carrick Contractors. I’d also like to thank our hosts Mark Tellwright and his keeper Colin Pattinson and James Watson and his team who battled the elements to make this happen.’

Photo:

Mark Tellwright (l) presenting the NGO Golden Grouse Trophy to the winner, Roger Ayton,


Notes to Editors: