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.

The Section is governed our Rules and Guidance which can be viewed in the Club Docs – Rabbits section of Club V1.

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 April were Andy Moulds and Lucy Collis 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 will be held in the Clubhouse on Tuesday 3rd December 2024 at 6.30pm. The minutes of the 2023 AGM can be viewed in the Club Docs – Rabbits section of Club V1. 

The AGM will start with the presentation of trophies for the 2024 season to the following winners. Congratualtions to all.

Tony O’Melia Challenge Trophy                      Ian Woods                         

John Stead Memorial Trophy                          Mark Fairbrass             

Rabbits Captains Shield, Division 1                Jack Carney             

Rabbits Captains Shield, Division 2                John Barrott             

Rabbits Presidents Cup                                     Dan Viles           

Rabbits Officers Trophy                                   Julie Steel             

Buck Rabbit Shield – Rabbits                          Russell Tetley              

Buck Rabbit Plate – Associates                        Andy Greenwood            

Thwaites Trophy                                                David Smith         

Don Marshall Memorial Trophy (Order of Merit)  Mike Rewilak

Rabbit of the Year                                                David Smith           

RABBITS RESULTS

Buck Rabbit, 6th May – the winners were David Smith (Division 1) with 26 points, Trevor Smith (Division 2) with 28 points, and Mick Beetham (Associates) with 32 points and Andrew Foster runner-up on 27 points. The 2s club of £73 was shared by 5 players. All four qualify for the Buck Rabbit Final on 28th September.

Rabbits v Seniors, 30th April – this friendly match was played as a 4BBB stableford plus an additional 2 points for a matchplay win. In its second year, it was well supported by 28 players, 14 per side. With all scores to count, the Rabbits team were looking favourites until the Seniors scored 50 v 27 points in the final match, winning the trophy again by 11 points.

Buck Rabbit, 1st April – the winners were Ronnie Dawson (Division 1) with 29 points, Paul Risdon (Division 2) with 29 points, and Sam Dunn (Associates) with 30 points and Kevin Hart runner-up on 29 points. The 2s club of £64 was shared by 4 players. All four qualify for the Buck Rabbit Final on 28th September.

Winter Buck Rabbit, 2nd February – played over 12 holes, the winners were Anthony Rape (Division 1) with 26 points, Ray White (Division 2) with 29 points and Lynda Laybourne (Associates) with 26 points. The 2s club of £38 was shared by 6 players

Winter Buck Rabbit, 3rd November – played over 12 holes, the winners were Jonathan De Luca (Division 1) with 26 points, Ron Kendall (Division 2) with 27 points and Mick Fordham (Associates) with 28 points and Chris Hellewell runner-up on 27 points. The 2s club of £56 was shared by 6 players

Thwaites Trophy final – the winner of this singles matchplay knockout competition is David Smith who won against Roy Kilvington by 3 & 1.

Buck Rabbit Final, 29th September – this single stableford trophy competition was won by Russ Tetley from the Rabbits qualifiers with 36 points and Andy Greenwood from the Associate members who qualified with 36 points.

Shipley Challenge, 15th October – Bingley St Ives won this annual 4BBB matchplay “friendly” at home by 4 matches to 2, retaining the trophy for the third year in succession, not achieved since 2004. This trophy has been contested annually since 1989 with Bingley narrowly ahead by 17 wins to Shipley’s 13.

Rabbits Officers Trophy, 12th September – this single stableford competition was won by Julie Steel with 38 points from Roy Kilvington with 36 points

Headingley Challenge, 5th September – Bingley St Ives won this annual 4BBB matchplay “friendly” at home by 4 matches to 2, therefore retaining the the trophy.

Buck Rabbit, 3rd September – the winners were Michael Kennedy (Division 1) with 29 points, John Richardson (Division 2) with 28 points and Andy Greenwood (Associates) with 26 points and Diane Rigby runner-up on 26 points. All 4 qualify for the Buck Rabbit final on 29th September. As Andy Greenwood qualified from the August Buck Rabbit, Mark Dent will also qualify from 3rd place. The 2s club of £63 was shared by 4 players.

Rabbits v Ladies, 30th August – teams of 18 (a record number, as last year) competed in this annual 4BBB stableford format over 12 holes for the Clare Lyness trophy. The matches were drawn 4.5 / 4.5 and the total scores also tied at 222 points each. Thank you to all who played

Rabbits Captain’s Trophy, 18th August – the winners and runners-up in windy conditions were Division 1 – Jack Carney (34 points) and Bob Dearnley (33 points), Division 2 – John Barrott (38 points) and Roy Carney (32 points), and Associates – Craig Robinson (36 points) and Mick Fordham (35 points). John Barrott wins the trophy.  The 2s Club of £43 was shared by 5 players and Joe Foster won nearest the pin (3.1m)

Buck Rabbit, 6th August – the winners were Carl Pedley (Division 1) with 26 points, Peter Knowles (Division 2) with 27 points on a countback from Mike Rewilak, and Christine Knowles (Associates) with 26 points and Jez Hayhurst runner-up on 24 points. The 2s club of £79 was won by 6 players. All four qualify for the Buck Rabbit Final on 1st October. As Chris Knowles has already qualified, Andy Greenwood will also qualify from 3rd place

Rabbits Captain’s Trip, 2nd August – 40 Rabbits and Associates members enjoyed the trip to Pontefract GC in warm weather. The winners were John Barrott (Rabbits) with 42 points on a countback from David Steel, Ann Kearns (Ladies) and Peter Ferrie (Gents Associates). The winning team with 99 points were John Raybould, Julie Steel, Ron Kendall and John Barrott. Ron Kendall was nearest the pin on the 14th, Ronnie Dawson on the 17th and Eddie Robinson nearest the line on the 18th.

BDRGA 18 hole Championship, 28th August – playing on thier home course, the BSIGC team of Roy Kilvington, Graham Sugden, Andrew Hudson and Kyle Moore finished in 6th place out of 16 clubs with a total of 94 points. The winner was The Manor with 108 points.

Rabbits Presidents Cup, 21st July – the winners were Roy Kilvington (Division 1) with 36 points on a countback from Mark Brewerton, Dan Viles (Division 2) with 40 points and John Pilkington runner-up with 37 points, and Phil Gosnay (Associates) with 38 points on a countback from Andrew Foster. Dan Viles wins the trophy. The 2s Club of £52 was won by Andrew Foster and Luke Wilcock, and Jack Carney won nearest the pin.

Buck Rabbit, 2nd July – the winners were Malcolm Clapham (Division 1) with 27 points, Philip Cutting (Division 2) with 27 points, and Christine Knowles (Associates) with 26 points and Jennifer Butterfield runner-up on 25 points. The 2s club of £65 was won by Brian O’Neill and Peter Edmondson. All four qualify for the Buck Rabbit Final on 1st October.

John Stead Memorial Trophy, 30th June – the winners were Tony Teale (Division 1) with 40 points, Mark Fairbrass (Division 2) with 40 points and Carl O’Neill (Associates) with 39 points from Camren Warrington as runner-up with 36 points. Mark Fairbrass wins the trophy on back 9 countback. The 2s club of £49 was shared by 3 players. Jason Mills won nearest the pin.

YRGA Thornton Trophy, 17th June – David Steel and Andrew Hudson represented the Rabbits and scored 24 points apiece, finishing 128th and 129th out of 161 players

O’Melia Challenge, 16th June – the winners were Eddie McBrien (Division 1) with 36 points, Ian Woods (Division 2) with 39 points and Carl O’Neill (Associates) with 40 points. Ian Woods wins the trophy again. The 2s club was shared by 5 players.

Buck Rabbit, 4th June – the winners in wet and windy conditions were Sean Kirkley (Division 1) with 26 points, Russ Tetley (Division 2) with 24 points, and Paul Topham (Associates) with 30 points and Liam Convery runner-up on 25 points. The 2s club of £39 was won by Paul Topham. All four qualify for the Buck Rabbit Final on 1st October.

RABBITS COMPETITIONS – 2025

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 and prizes will be awarded as credits to your pro shop account.

• O’Melia Challenge, Sunday 15th June – single stableford competition with pro shop credit prizes to the winners of all 3 Divisions, plus 2s club
• John Stead Memorial Trophy, Sunday 6th July – single stableford competition with pro shop credit prizes to the winners of all 3 Divisions, plus 2s club
• Rabbits Presidents Cup, Sunday 3rd August – single stableford competition with enhanced pro shop credit prizes to the winners and runners-up of all 3 Divisions, plus 2s club and nearest the pin
• Rabbits Officers Trophy, Sunday 15th August – single stableford competition for present and previous members of the Rabbits Committee
• Rabbits Captains Trophy, Sunday 7th September – single stableford competition with enhanced pro shop credit prizes to the winners and runners-up of all 3 Divisions, plus 2s club and nearest the pin
• Rabbits Finals Day, Sunday 28th September – single stableford competitions for the winners and runners-up of the respective Rabbits and Associates divisions in the monthly Buck Rabbit competitions, with pro shop credit prizes to both winners.

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 pro shop credit prizes and go forward to the Buck Rabbit Final (above), as do the runners-up in the Associates Division plus the Rabbits Divisions where the winner has already qualified. 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 (£40 & £20)

Don Marshall Order of Merit – points are awarded to Rabbits golfers for all competitions in accordance with the Rules and a running leaderboard is displayed on the Rabbits Section notice board in the gents locker room. The leading player  at the end of the season will receive the Don Marshall Memorial Trophy and a monetary prize in pro shop account credits.

Rabbits Captain’s Trip – is to Scarcroft Golf Club on Thursday 17th 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 –

• Rabbits v Seniors (for bragging rights) on Wednesday 30th April at 2.00pm with an optional buffet after
• Cleckheaton GC (home) on Wednesday 21st May at 2.00pm
• Otley (away) on Tuesday 1st July
• Cleckheaton GC (away) on Thursday 24th July at 2.00pm
• Rabbits v Ladies for the Clare Lyness trophy on Wednesday 20th August from 3.00pm
• Bradford (Hawksworth) GC (home) on Thursday 28th August at 2.00pm
• Headingley Challenge v Headingley GC (away) on Thursday 11th September at 1.00pm
• Shipley Challenge v Shipley GC (away) on Sunday 21st September at 10.00am

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 2025 listed below

David Steel – President and Competition Secretary

Roy Kilvington – Captain

Mark Fairbrass – Vice Captain & Meetings Secretary

John Barrott – Secretary

Eddie McBrien – Treasurer 

Alan Thornber – Competition Secretary

Graham Buttrick

Hilary Kendall

Andrew Flaherty

The Committee Meeting dates for 2025 are – 

Tuesday 18th February @ 5.30pm

Tuesday 1st April @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 13th May @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 10th June @ 6.30pm

Wednesday 2nd July @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 12th August @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 9th September @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 21st October @ 6.30pm

Tuesday 2nd December at 6.30pm – AGM and Trophy Presentations

Membership and meeting dates are also displayed on the Rabbits Section notice board in the gents locker room, and can be viewed or downloaded from the Rabbits folder in the Club Docs option on the Club V1 app

A copy of the Rabbits Rulebook and Guidance can be viewed or downloaded from the Club V1 app. Go to the Club Docs option and select the Rabbits folder

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