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Just Finished: St Anne's Old Links GC (07/10/10) : View event report & photo gallery

St Anne's Old Links GC posted 09/02/10 14:57

Prestatyn Golf Club - 36 holes posted 09/09/10 21:32

IT'S FIVE TIME PETE AS HE ROMPS HOME AT PRESTATYN

Peter Richardson quickly followed up his fourth Tour success - 11 under at Hopwood, with an even more emphatic win at OPrestatyn as he returned a Tour record 64 - 66 = 130 FOURTEEN UNDER to win by four from the always impressive Paul Wesselingh.

More to follow

Lindrick GC posted 19/08/10 17:33

EALES AND HEMPSTOCK ON TOP AT LINDRICK

With four under 67's from either end of the field European Tour veteran Paul Eales and Bawtry's Mike Hempstock secured a share of the spoils from Ben Mason whose 69 was the only other sub par return on a breezy day at the famous Lindrick course.

Wychwood Park GC (2 days) posted 22/07/10 19:33

CLASSY HANSON WINS AGAIN AT WYCHWOOD

Undoubted Player of the Year candidate Chris Hanson romped home with a fantastic second round 65 for a 137 7 under total at a damp Wychwood Park.

Chris, second in the OOM despite playing only 7 of the 15 events so far, secured his third win and sixth top three of the season, only Adam Wainwright in the play off at Hallamshire preventing him from being the Tour's first four-time winner. Chris's continued hard work and commitment is now seeing consistent results which will surely see him move up in the ranks soon. His success is undoubtedly assisted by tour member Duncan McCarthy through his Ignite Sports business and regular 'bag man' Steve Tooby.

It was only Chris's fantastic 65 which prevented Matt Evans from completing a memorable hat-trick following his win at Harlech and debut Europro win. Matt's two sub par returns were matched by John Gallagher who's two 70's secured third place from a three way tie on fourth Steve Capper and Dave Smith, both 69's to catch James Harper, two 71's, on two under 142.

Jonathan Little pipped Harlech winer Adam Andrews for the amateur honours 147 to 148.

Royal St David's (Harlech) GC - 2 days 54 holes (36/18) posted 22/07/10 19:18

EVANS DOMINATES AT HARLECH

Overnight leader Matt Evans duly completed his win adding a 73 for a 3 over 212 total with some mightily impressive ball striking as he protected his lead to finish 3 shots clear on a wild day at Royal St. David's when high winds threatened the cancellation of the round for a time.

Evans' first day 69 - 70 for 139 in equally difficult conditions also secured by a rock solid display of ball striking proved no one day wonder as he showed on the second day leaving Gareth Davie in second place.

Scot Jackson with a nearly unbelievable 69 moved through thefield to snatch 3rd place with most players in the high 70's and the early starters who suffered the worst struggling to reach even that score.

First round leader, Adam Stott, with a great opening 67 on a day nearly as tough managed to battle through for fourth place on plus 10 with the difficulty of conditions for the three rounds evidenced by the money reaching plus 14!

Adam Andrews secured top amateur spot on 227 - plus 18 which probably would have been still below the css for the three days! Harlech once again living up to it's reputation as one of if not the toughest par 69's anywhere!

Hallamshire GC posted 24/06/10 23:00

WAINWRIGHT PIPS HANSON IN PLAYOFF

Rotherham's Adam Wainwright demonstrated his liking for the Player Tour events with a first hole play-off win from in form Chris Hanson, once again proving he is the man to beat when in the field.

Adam defied the stiff wind in the morning round to post a sparkling 5 under 66 which surprisingly only saw him two clear from the increasingly impressive Tom Murray and the ever dangerous Harry Proos whose 6 on the 18th playing downwind and easily reachable with two irons prevented him matching Adam's round.

The testing conditions were reflected by the rest of the scores with only Hanson under par, after the top three, on 70 and Matt Evans 5th on 72.

The tough 470 first playing staight into saw many cards wrecked early on with other early holes proving equally treacherous.

Despite this some early sub par afternoon returns from those down the field headed by OOM leader Paul Weselingh with a 67 seeing him bounce back from an altercation with the gorse on the short 17th in the morning resulting in a quadruple bogey and a 76.

His 143 seemed like it may secure a good finish until Murray,himself taking a travel weary 7 on the 18th for a 72 (140 total), and Evans 69 (141) set the target.

Wainwright was up to the task with a level par 71 to post 5 under 137. When Proos stumbled to a 74 only Hanson remained and he duly delivered cooly holing a 4 footer on the 18th to take the event into a play-off.

The amateurs had a day to forget despite enjoying the scenic course, sometimes a little too closely!

The course won many plaudits both for it's setting and layout and in particular it's condition and presentation.

Fulford GC posted 21/06/10 12:00

PARRY SECURES HIS 3RD TOUR WIN AT FULFORD

Steve Parry returned to the winers circle with his 5 birdie and 2 eagle, 5 under 67 at a sunny Fulford.

The testing conditions produced by firm fairways and tight driving areas saw Steve relatively unchallenged until Tom Murray, becoming a leaderboard regular now, returned a 69 late in the day.

Order of Merit challenger Paul Wesslingh returned to the top with a two under 70 tying with Barry Taylor, who is starting to return to his 2008 form, and Mike Hempstock for third.

Hazel Grove GC posted 23/06/10 11:28

The Roxburghe Golf Club - 2 days, 54 holes (36/18) posted 03/06/10 21:59

DRANSFIELD'S PERFECT DAY AT THE ROXBURGHE

Jason Dransfield finally secured his first win on the Tour after some recent close shaves with some immaculate play after a seven hole play-off with the Host club's attached pro Ronan Rafferty, winner of the European Order of Merit in 1989 from the stars of Europe's 'Golden Era'.

Four behind travelling companion Tom Murray after 36 holes and some frustrating form on the greens, Jason found the key to success in the final round. He hit all 14 fairways and all 18 greens in his 2 under return of 70 then saw the leaders all have their troubles as his 3 under 213 total held up. He then proceeded to hit all the 7 greens and the fairways off the tee in the play-off including a 7 iron to 18 inches on the first hole for a birdie two matched by Rafferty's curling 18 foot putt which hovered on the lip for several seconds before toppling in to extend the proceedings.

The first day saw some excellent conditions matched by the stunning setting of the Roxburghe course. The morning leader was Steve Parry who's 5 under 67 saw 2 eagles on the back 9 par 5's which for a while saw him in a 4 shot lead until last out Rafferty returned a 69 despite a last hole bogey.

The afternoon round with a couple of tees moved up saw many players start to figure out the course yet only 2 players again broke 70. First was Harry Proos who, as at Wilmslow, raced out in 5 under and reached 8 under for his round before giving one back at the very tricky 17th for a stunning 7 under 65. The round was set up by Proos' prodigious hitting off the tee which on the into the wind holes saw partner Rory Walsh, himself no slouch off the tee, often hitting 3 or 4 clubs more into the green. Surprisingly no one came close to this until Tom Murray with 3 late birdies retun a 5 under 67 for a 139 total 2 in front of Proos. Again it was left to the last man Rafferty with his second sub par round of the day (71) to seperate them on 4 under.

With some quality players grouping on 1 and 2 under including Dransfield it seemed certain that a low last round would be needed to pick up the winners cheque.

The third round saw even better conditions but the course was given a formidable defence with some testing pin positions. Many players saw the odd disaster spoil reasonable cards until 'local' man Graeme Brown returned a very tidy 68 to set 2 under shortly afterwards pipped by Dransfield. This looked to have no chance as word filtered back that over night leader Murray had turned for home on 7 under with first round leader Parry heading for the courses signature hole, the par 5 14th, on 6 under.

Tom then saw a flier with his appraoch into the 10th find a horrible spot through the green which took him 3 shots to get onto the green only to suffer a 3 putt for a disastrous 8. Meanwhile Steve bogeyed 14 and 15 then ame unstuck on the steep bank in front of the 17th green for a doubble bogey. A valiant effort at the 18th for a birdie to tie Jason just missed leaving only European Tour veteran Rafferty to par the 18th to force a play-off.

This time Dransfield, who had thought he was heading to a win at Prestayn only to be frustrated by the spectacular 62 of Adam Runcie, wasn't to be denied.

For Rafferty he now holds the honour of having competed in the longest play-off on both the European Tour and the Players Tour!!

Finally the Tour would like to express our thanks to The Duke of Roxburghe for inviting us to host an event at his superb hotel and course. We are equally delighted to have been invited back, this year if scheduling permits, when hopefully some more of the Scottish professionals will be able to join us.

Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club (2 days) posted 24/05/10 10:20

SMITH TO THE FOUR AT CONWY

Swinton Park's Dave Smith continued his run of form with a four under 140 total on a firm and sunny Conwy.

Fresh from his recent success in the Manchester Alliance with the strokeplay and golfer of the year honours under his belt, two sub par returns were good enough as the testing pin positions saw the course come out on top on the second day.

With several players under 70 on the first day against a par of 72 only Dave of the leading players managed to beat par on the second day as overnight leader Neil Walker(74) slipped back to share third with Order of Merit leader Paul Wesselingh(71) and Peter Richardson (73)

Stuart Runcie(72) for three under 141 just failed to match brother Adam's Prestatyn win in second place.

'Wes''s 142 saw him secure a 10 shot win over Frank Kiddie in the seniors with Craig Bolton (73) for 154 good enough in the amateurs.

The sunny conditions and firm course with little wind saw the Conwy links, in magnificent shape with the gorse in full bloom, provide a stern test as always even when the elements appear to favour the players. As ever the dreaded gorse holes at the finish proved the undoing of many a fine card with even the innocuous 18th snaring several victims.

Hesketh GC posted 17/05/10 20:30

GARETH'S BACK TO WINNING WAYS AT HESKETH

Gareth Davies returned a seven birdie five under 66 to secure top spot at Hesketh from James Harper and Adam Runcie, winner at Prestatyn with 'That' 62, who were just behind with 67's.

All three finished strongly over the club's treacherous 17th and 18th holes which made the difference fro several others in the field who fell foul of these.

Alone in fourth, enough to win the seniors however, was Gary Wolstenholme, with a winning return to the tour for 2010

Six players were a further shot back on 2 under 69 headed by Paul Wesselingh, maintaining a steady order of merit threat, and James Hepworth continuing his solid easrly season form.

On a day of stron scoring par was neither good enough to pick up in the main field or the seniors reflecting on the strength of the Tour in sharpening up players games by regular competition strokeplay.

Top amateur was Whitefield man Jay McGarvey on 75.

Fixby Hall GC posted 06/05/10 19:53

IT'S ROUTE 66 FOR EVANS AT FIXBY

Tour debutant Gareth Evans displayed his liking for the Fixby Hall layout with a sparkling 66 pipping another 'local' James Hepworth(67) into second. With another Yorkshire man Chris Hanson sharing third with Peter Allan on 3 under 68.

Despite spending much of his time teaching Evans, who won the county championship at Fixby in 2006, used his local knowledge to pick up 6 birdies with only one bogey at the fairly innocuous 7th. The last of his birdies secured at the last saw him pass James who, despite already having shown his liking for Fixby's par 5's with two eagles, was left to rue his par at the downhill par 5 which proved to be the difference.

With order of merit leaders Paul Wesselingh(74) and Grant Hamerton(72) having off days Chris Hanson's third place saw him take over at the top of what is already proving to be a highly competitive contest.

Peter Allan's effort easily took the senior honours from yet another white rose man Richard Masters(71) with this section again producig some steady scoring.

Ian Winstanley made it three out of three with his level par 71 which was something of an up and down affair with only 5 pars on his card. An eagle and 5 birdies cancelling out 7 bogeys!

There's an Open Championship feel to the tour's next two events with both Hesketh and Conwy having featured as Final Qualifying venues in recent years.

Prestatyn GC - (2 days) posted 30/04/10 17:10

RECORDS TUMBLE AS RUNCIE SHOOTS 62 AT PRESTATYN

A blistering second round of 10 under 62 saw Adam Runcie spreadeagle the field for a four shot win on 13 under 131 at Prestatyn.

Adam's round of matching 5 under 9's set a record low for the Prestatyn links as well posting 4 new records for the tour for both 18 and 36 hole scores in relation to par as well as the actual scores. It was also a personal low for the rookie pro from Abergele.

After sprinting to the turn in 5 under as steady start to the back nine saw him at 6 under, 9 total on the 13th tee when his teeshot slipped into the greenside trap. Adam then proceded to hole out for his seventh birdie before adding further birdies at 15, 17 with a tee shot to a few inches and capping it off with two magnificent shots to set up a putt for a 61 on the 18th which just failed to find it's mark.

Behind him overnight leader Jason Dransfield thought his solid 68 to take him to 9 under was looking likely to see him secure his first Tour win until the leaderboard by the 16th green left him with a 'deflated' feeling as he saw his own victory hopes disappear.

In joint third were midlands regulars Paul Wesslingh and James Whatley on 6 under. Paul for once also pipped in the seniors with Frank Kiddie's 7 under seeing off the more illustrious names including Roger Chapman, Ronan Rafferty and Sky pundit John Hawksworth.

The amateur honours were taken by debutant Lee Williams after overnight leader Sam Roberts saw him graciously retire after a dramtic loss of form left him mindful of distracting partners Runcie and Kiddie from the more serious business at hand.

Runcie was not the only player setting tour firsts as Mytton Fold's Jeff Ma thews followed a birdie 2 at the 6th with a holed out rescue club at the par 5 7th for our first albatross and back to back 2's!!

Once again the Tour saw another succesful event despite a smallish field with strong scoring illustrating the benefit of regular strokeplay competition in sharpening players games.

Next month sees more great venues with some strong fields likely. First up is Fixby Hall, Huddersfield next Thursday (6th) with a big field coming together.

Wilmslow Golf Club (36 holes) posted 19/04/10 20:25

HANSON WINS FROM THE FRONT AT WILMSLOW

The Tour enjoyed it's first visit to the prestigious Wilmslow Golf Club for a 36 hole event on Monday. Our thanks to the Club and it's members for stepping in at short notice and allowing us the use of the course for the day to ensure we were able to complete a 36 hole event. The course, ideal for a two tee start, proved undoubtedly popular with the players and the weather remained kind for the day, if a little cold.

On a day of low scoring Chris Hanson(Woodsome Hall) finally secured his first Tour win set up by a sparkling 8 birdie 65 in the morning round only coming unstuck at the short 9th, his 18th, for his solitary bogey. Surprisingly given the depth of good scoring this saw Chris lead at the halfway point by 4 shots from Rob Hearty, James Hepworth, Tom Murray and James Need.

The slightly warmer weather and perhaps better course knowledge saw some particularly good scores in the afternoon producing a threat to Chris's lead. Shortly after he went through the turn at 9 under amazingly after another bogey at the 9th, Paul Wesselingh handed in a 65 of his own, which proved to be the afternoon best, to set the clubhouse lead at the same number.

He was closely followed by Nick McCarthy whose 66 left him one shy of Paul but once again featuring at the top end of the leaderboard. Other 66's followed from Dave Clark, Adam Runcie and Harry Proos who at one point was 8 under for the round but fell away at the end perhaps trying to hard to recover from his morning 77.

With sub par returns being handed in from many it seemed likely that Chris would secure his win with another steady 9 holes. This he duly achieved although not without some late drama as a bogey at the 17th saw him on the par 5 18th back at 9 under needing a birdie to win. He achieved this in some style with a magnificent second shot to within 15 feet of the pin and with the old adage 'Got two take two' in mind carefully two putted for a thoroughly deserved victory.

The late jockying on the leaderboard saw James Hepworth(67) tie Nick McCarthy for third at 8 under on a day that eventually saw 68 sub par returns from the field.

Consolation for Paul was his comfortable win in the seniors, three in a row now, from Jeff Matthews on 3 under who took some satisfaction in pipping old adversaries Paul Eales and Mark Mouland.

Danny Tomlinson secured a debut win in the amateurs on 2 over with a second round 71 (one under) from Sam Roberts who couldn't maintain the form of his morning 70 slipping back to a 4 over total.

Finally our thanks should go once again to the Wimslow Club whose Captain, Terry Barnes, attended for most of the day, along with a number of members, and remained to present Chris with his prized £2,000 cheque.

Next up we're back to the championship links at Prestatyn some six weeks later than our visit last year which will undoubtedly see the course ready to challenge the players.

St Anne's Old Links GC (2 days) posted 08/04/10 18:30

IT'S GROUNDHOG DAY ON TOUR AS HAMERTON WINS AGAIN AT ST ANNES

Grant Hamerton took the honours for the second week running this time in the two day event at St Annes Old Links. Leading overnight with Dave Smith on 4 under 68, both players playing first out and sharing twelve birdies in a betterball 62, from another quality leaderboard with 8 players under par.

His second round was a much steadier affair of two birdies and one bogey in a 71 for a five under total, he made seven birdies on day one. Leading thru 27 on 5 under Grant made 9 pars on the back 9 to hold off some determined late challenges.

Not least was Chris Hanson closing his round with a birdie, par, birdie, birdie, birdie finish for a tournament best 67 and a 4 under target. Immediately following Chris were Nick McCarthy(68) and Dale Marmon(70) on three under.

Dave Smith having fallen back recovered to a 74 to share fifth with Tom Murray(71).

Also on a two under total was Ian Winstanley who took the amateur honours for the second week running this time only managing to pip Steve McGlynn (71) on one under after driving out of bounds on 17 Ian recovered to birdie 18 for the one shot win.

Completeing the matching set of winners was Paul Wesselingh 146 two over for a comfortable win in the seniors section, Paul also having won at West Lancs! More encouraging was the steady numbers in this section which we hope will continue and grow through the year.

Grant's flying start to the season has set the benchmark for the year with once again some very impressive scoring.

The course once again received many plaudits despite the cold winter with all the players being amazed by it's condition in the first week in April. The good news is we're back to close out the season in October - note the date change on the schedule.

Despite the unfortunate clash with the Europro final qualifying the Tour enjoyed another succesful event. Next up is Vale of Llangollen where with no fixture clashes a big field is likely.

West Lancashire GC posted 29/03/10 21:41

HAMERTON CHARGES TO THE FRONT AT WEST LANCS

The new season may have started in British Summer Time but winter was still evident on a bitterly cold and wet day at West Lancs in our season opener.

Defying the conditions Pike Fold's GRANT HAMERTON charged out of the blocks with four straight birdies and despite losing his tee shot at the fifth a second ball birdie and another birdie at the sixth saw him 4 under after six holes. He maintained this position with just one more birdie and only one bogey for a final 4 under return of 68 to secure a two shot win from a big field of over 100 players to secure the £1,500 first place.

In tied second were Jason Dransfield and Chris Clarke on two under 70 closely followed by James Hepworth and Harry Proos also both in the red on one under 71. With a further 4 players on level, seven on plus one and ten on plus two the scoring was excellent on an extremely difficult and trying day.

Among the 72's was PGA Cup legend Paul Wesslingh which secured him the senior section pipping Frank Kiddie and Paul Eales by two shots as they returned two over 74's, Frank only stumbling at the end with a bogey, bogey finish. It was certainly a day for experience as evidenced by the eight 'old boys' in the field who all returned scores of 78 or better.

The amateurs was another close run affair with Fraser McLeod's 76 looking like it might be enough to win until Formby's England international Ian Winstanley came to the 14th. Arriving on the tee at +4 he proceeded to hole out with a three iron for an eagle two on a hole where many cards were wrecked on the day. He then birdied the 15th and 18th to finish at level par 72 for an 'easy' win!

How Scotland's Mark Kerr would have liked that finish. He was 4 under through 13 only to fall foul of he last five as did many on the day finally signing for a two over 74.

At the end of the day it appeared that it was an honourable tie as to the winner betwen the players and the testing course and conditions.

A field of 102 players was undoubtedly a great start to our third, and biggest, season yet. Next up is the fabulous St Annes Old Links for our first two day event of the season next week on Wednesday and Thursday the 7th and 8th of April when thankfully some warmer conditions are forecast.