Now that the dust has settled, we look back on the third edition of the Invitational, which returned to Ilkley Golf Club earlier this month. Major winner and Sky Golf pundit Rich Beem made his first visit to Yorkshire as he took up the mantle from our previous host, Ian Woosnam, to lead an entry list packed with talent, including two-time Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew, Phil Price, Scott Drummond, and Simon Khan, alongside Olympic athlete Nile Wilson, Yorkshire cricket supremo Darren Gough, former Leeds Rhino Danny McGuire and footballers Danny Mills, Paul Robinson, Matt Kilgallon, Lee Sharpe and Clayton Blackmore.

Yorkshire based Age Partnership, who are the UK’s number one equity release advisors, took over the title sponsorship for the first time for this year’s Invitational. They were joined by Leeds based Berry’s Jewellers, who partnered with the event, which saw over 250 Spectator registrations despite the unpredictable conditions which saw players, spectators and event staff alike brave all four seasons across two magnificent days of golf.

This year saw Philip Price continue his good run of form after a recent win at the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship and the Irish Legends, presented by the McGinley Foundation. Price fired a five under par round of 64 to take the spoils in the Alliance tournament at the Age Partnership Rich Beem Yorkshire Invitational.

After his win, Price reflected” I love Ilkley, but you have to play well to make a score as it is a tight golf course. I managed to get my wedges working well today and holed a few putts. I know the tournament organisers SGH want to make this bigger and better in the future and I hope they do as it is a great event. I will certainly be back to defend next year.”

In the Pro-Am precursor, local knowledge proved key as Ilkley Golf Club’s members took the spoils. Peter Daffern, Nick Fearnley and Jamie Wellock, combined with their professional, Robert Coles, to win the prize trip to next year’s Masters at the Augusta National.

Outside of the golfing action, players and spectators were well fuelled both on and off the course. Good Food Story supplied guests in the Players’ Marquee, with a delicious locally sourced menu throughout each day. Outside of the Players’ Marquee, spectators made the most of the amazing Yorkshire Wrap Company, who provided their mouth-watering slow roasted specials, which everyone has come to know, and love, at their Leeds City Centre base. This year’s official drinks partners ensured all guests could make the most of the fantastic selection of craft beer, gin and wine on offer from Ilkley Brewery, ORO gin, and local wine merchant Bodega Movil.

Alongside our drinks partners, this year was made possible through our headline sponsorship from Age Partnership, our executive partner Berry’s Jewellers, as well as First Event, Redline Car Specialist, Ginetta, Find a Golf Break, Prosper2, Knightsbridge Wealth Management, SMR Architects, David Roberts and Partners Limited, U Dentistry, Dimple Chairs, Headstart, One Stop Golf, BoldKing, Druh Belts and Express Golf. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all for their support.

As we look towards our plans for 2023, the future of the Invitational has never looked brighter. This year, our field was filled with a mixture of bright prospects, international players and regular golfing tourists. We look to build on this for 2023, giving our Pro-Am entrants an unrivalled opportunity within Yorkshire to get up close and personal with some of golf’s great talents and characters. We are fortunate to have partnered with some fantastic organisations who have made this year’s event a reality, and our previously stated ambitions of bringing a Legends Tour event to Yorkshire have never felt more realistic. We hope to continue to build on the Invitational, both on and off the course, for our players, partners, spectators and Yorkshire.

If you would like to find out more about how you can partner with SGH or play in next year’s Pro-Am - please enquire with us via the website.