Grand Final

The winners from each regional final and both stand alone tournaments qualify for our expenses-paid overseas grand final.

Here they will battle it out to become Champion Golfers of the North.

The climax of the championship will take place at the stunning Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate near Cadiz in Spain where four individuals and four pairs will jet off for the trip of a lifetime.

2012 is the first time we have taken the grand final overseas and it's all thanks to our main sponsor, Golf de la Luz, a specialist golf holiday company based in West Yorkshire.

Arcos Gardens - 14th-18th October 2012

The five-day grand final will take place between Sunday 14th October & Thursday 18th October 2012.

The venue has been hand selected because of the top class golf course and superb off-course facilities.

Grand finalists will enjoy villa accommodation, complimentary use of facilities including the superb practice complex as well as breakfast and an evening meal.

Three rounds of golf are included with one practice round and two competitive matches.

Villa accommodation

Grand finalists will be accommodated in the privately owned luxury villas on the Arcos Gardens Estate.

The villas are comfortably furnished and fully equipped with air conditioning, heating, private gardens and swimming pools. 

These high quality villas, all with breathtaking views, will make the perfect base for players as they are located close to the golf course, clubhouse and practice facilities.

Dining

Dinner & breakfast are provided for competitors. This will be taken in the beautiful restaurant at Arcos Gardens. This is located in the new clubhouse with stunning views onto the 9th green and panoramic vistas beyond.

The restaurant specialises in producing traditional local cuisine with an artistic twist. Many of the herbs and vegetables used are grown in their kitchen garden, ensuring only the freshest of produce.
Excellent food and service combined with comfortable decoration under wooden beamed vaulted ceilings provide the perfect setting to enjoy a relaxing supper. The extensive outdoor terrace provides the perfect setting for al fresco dining.

The course

Designed by Landmark, creators of PGA West, Palm Beach Polo and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island the Arcos Gardens Golf Course in Andalucia, Southern Spain has been developed as a challenge to professionals, whilst providing an enjoyable experience for amateurs.
With five to six tees on every hole and strategically located bunkers and lakes, the course creates a variety of challenges for players.
It has wide, forgiving fairways yet still manages to place a premium on accuracy as you approach the greens. Surrounded by a vast array of wildlife and plants, with views across the countryside to surrounding lakes and the cliff-top town of Arcos de la Frontera, a round of golf at Arcos Gardens is a true pleasure for all players.

The format

Twelve golfers will travel to Spain, this will consist of four individuals and four pairs.

On arrival on the Sunday golfers will have full use of the superb practice facilities if they wish. It may also be possible to play a few holes on the course subject to tee-time availability.

An official practice round will take place on Monday. This will enable competitors to familiarise themselves with the course, establish where the danger is and work out which holes can be attacked! To spice things up a bit there will be an informal competition. That evening a draw will take place to establish semi-final opponents for the following day.

On the Tuesday there will be two individual semi-finals and two pairs semi-finals. These will be played over 18 holes with the winners of each match playing a final the following day. The losers will play-off for third place.

Wednesday will see the finals and third place play-offs take place. These will once again be played over 18 holes and will be followed by a prize presentation dinner in the evening when the champions will be presented with the Northern Matchplay trophies.

Itinerary

Sunday 14th October 2012

• 6.00am: Meet at Manchester Airport

• 7.45am: Fly with Monarch Airlines to Malaga Airport

• 12.00pm Arrive & check-in at the Arcos Gardens Estate

• 1.00pm: Relax, unwind or use the practice facilities

• 7.00pm: Evening meal.

Monday 15th October 2012

• 8.00am: Breakfast

• 11.00am: Practice round including informal competition

• 5.00pm: Draw for semi-final opponents

• 7.00pm: Evening meal

Tuesday 16th October 2012

• 8.00am: Breakfast

• 11.00am: Semi-final matches

• 7.00pm: Evening meal

Wednesday 17th October 2012

• 8.00am: Breakfast

• 11.00am: Finals & 3rd place play-off matches

• 8.00pm: Prize-giving presentation dinner

Thursday 18th October 2012

• 8.00am: Breakfast

• 12.45pm: Depart from Malaga Airport

• 3.00pm: Arrive Manchester Airport

Notes:

Grand Finalist are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to & from Manchester Airport and any associated costs including airport parking.

Grand Finalists receive return flights from Manchester to Malaga, transfers to & from Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate and four nights villa accommodation. Breakfast, dinner & golf with buggies is also included. Competitors are responsible for any other expenses at the grand final including drinks and additional meals.

Grand finalists must hold a current and valid passport. They should also ensure they have the relevant travel insurance for their needs as The Northern Matchplay Golf Championship and their sponsors/partners accept no responsibility for loss or injury etc..

Should any entrant under the age of 18 years on 14th October 2012 qualify for the grand final they must be accompanied by either their Pairs partner (if aged over 18) or a fee paying guest who must take legal responsibility for them.

Grand Final Partners

Golf de la Luz...

The overseas grand final is all thanks to our main sponsor, Golf de la Luz.

They are an expert golf holiday company for golf breaks to the Costa de la Luz & Seville in Spain and the Lisbon & Algarve regions of Portugal. Find out more about Golf de la Luz.

Arcos Gardens...

The venue for our 2012 grand final is the stunning Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate.

True championship golf is provided at the Andalucian resort. Ranked as one of the best golf courses in Spain it has staged the European Tour Qualifying School on several occasions. Find out more about Arcos Gardens.

Monarch...

The 12 grand finalists will depart from Manchester Airport and fly with Monarch.

Monarch offers flights and holidays to some great golfing destinations including the Algarve, the Canary Islands, Spain and Cyprus, and their handpicked resorts are perfect for non-playing partners as there is much more than just golf on offer. Find out more about Monarch.