Sunderland fan wins golf tournament after being asked to engrave trophy

A Black Cats fan is claiming a world first after being asked to engrave a golf trophy which he then ended up winning as part of a team featuring an SAFC legend.
From left, Ritchie Pitt, David Jenkinson,  Alan Findlay of sponsors Pinpoint Recruitment, Eddie Thompson and Andy Waple.From left, Ritchie Pitt, David Jenkinson,  Alan Findlay of sponsors Pinpoint Recruitment, Eddie Thompson and Andy Waple.
From left, Ritchie Pitt, David Jenkinson, Alan Findlay of sponsors Pinpoint Recruitment, Eddie Thompson and Andy Waple.

Sunderland supporter David Jenkinson was asked by South Moor Club in County Durham to engrave its inaugural Masters tournament trophy.

Keen to raise money for their junior section, the grateful golf club secured him a place in the team entered by The Golf Paper featuring Richie Pitt, a member of the Wearsiders’ FA Cup-winning side in 1973.

from left, Geoff Cook, Craig Hope, Pop Robson, Alan Findlay of sponsors Pinpoint Recruitment, pro Shaun Cowell, John Anderson, Ian Payne, Roger Tames.from left, Geoff Cook, Craig Hope, Pop Robson, Alan Findlay of sponsors Pinpoint Recruitment, pro Shaun Cowell, John Anderson, Ian Payne, Roger Tames.
from left, Geoff Cook, Craig Hope, Pop Robson, Alan Findlay of sponsors Pinpoint Recruitment, pro Shaun Cowell, John Anderson, Ian Payne, Roger Tames.

The lads then went on to win the tournament.

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“I could not believe it when we won,” said 51-year-old David, a keen golfer who is also secretary of the Northern Karate Association.

“I have never known any golf club request an engraver outside a major and not in any sport anywhere in the world have I ever heard of anybody engraving a trophy after winning it themselves.

“It was a fantastic event with a great atmosphere. 

Former Sunderland goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery takes part in the tournament.Former Sunderland goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery takes part in the tournament.
Former Sunderland goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery takes part in the tournament.

“The well-kept course, exceptional food and hospitality was second to none.

“I was thrilled to be playing with Ritchie Pitt and he was impressed with the Sunderland badge I have tattooed on my right leg.

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“The guy from The Golf Paper, Andy Waple, was our star on the course with three birdies and he was jumping around like a mad farmer after every one of them.”

David, of South Hylton in Sunderland, added: “There is a bit of history to the newest trophy in golf.

from left, Geoff Cook, Craig Hope, Pop Robson, Alan Findlay of sponsors Pinpoint Recruitment, pro Shaun Cowell, John Anderson, Ian Payne, Roger Tames.from left, Geoff Cook, Craig Hope, Pop Robson, Alan Findlay of sponsors Pinpoint Recruitment, pro Shaun Cowell, John Anderson, Ian Payne, Roger Tames.
from left, Geoff Cook, Craig Hope, Pop Robson, Alan Findlay of sponsors Pinpoint Recruitment, pro Shaun Cowell, John Anderson, Ian Payne, Roger Tames.

“It is a silver cup originally presented to the now-defunct Newcastle Press Golfing Society in 1937.”

Two other Black Cats Wembley heroes, Jimmy Montgomery and Dick Malone, were in the field at South Moor, along with former Newcastle and Republic of Ireland international John Anderson and the England Golf performance manager Stephen Burnett.

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Former England cricketer Geoff Cook, ex-boxers Billy Hardy and Glenn McCrory and regional TV news presenters Ian Payne, Jim Knight and Roger Tames also trod the fairways at the Stanley club.

Ex-Sunderland, Newcastle and West Ham centre forward and former Black Cats scout Bryan “Pop” Robson made a return visit as well.