UK Senior Golf Association
Nancarrow romps home to win at Littlestone.
Littlestone - always a favourite with the UKSGA - showed its teeth in mid September with strong winds on day one. The key would be scoring well on the front 9 before turning back into the wind with 16, 17 and 18 proving the breaking point for many. Paul Nancarrow (Old Fold Manor) took an early lead with an excellent 74 that included birdies on the 1st and the 5th on the way out for a 1 under 35 on the front 9. The back 9 is all about hanging on and he did. That was sufficient for a 2 shot lead over Andrew Elmey (Goring & Streatly) with 3 players 3 shots back and 7 others just 4 back and still within reach - all to play for.
Battered and bruised they all (well most) returned for another run at it on day two with a slight drop in the wind strength. Early signs, despite the drizzle, showed much better scoring was on the cards. But the wind increased in the afternoon to similar strength as day 1 to test the final groups once again..
Paul Nancarrow and Martin Hayes traded birdies on the front nine in round two - both going out in 3 under par but it was to be Paul who coped best back into the wind. Even dropping 4 shots on those last 3 holes (just as many others before him) he shoots the days best of 73 to take victory by 6 shots.
Martin Hayes (Walton Heath) took silver after his second round of 75.
Bronze medal was won by Malcolm Cawte with rounds of 77 and 76. His 250 points in the Super Seniors Section looks to have put him in position for a place on that scratch team for Europe. But he may still fancy his chances with the youngsters.
Home advantage and two excellent 78's from Chris Reynolds resulted in the crystal going his way in the Super Seniors.
Masters prize winner was Davis Price (Test Valley) with a 162 total.
Our net winner over the two days on a 1 over 143 was Wanstead's Paul Knight. He now sits safely in second place in the handicap team after those 250 points.
At the top of the main OOM there wasn't much movement although Graham Forrest moves into 3rd spot after his 135 points. With three events to go there is plenty of time for those on the fringe of the teams to win their place in Europe next year. And its off to Woodhall Spa next week for the next opportunity. Please note ALL reserves are now in at Woodhall.
Huge thanks must go to David Mills and his team at Littlestone who looked after us fabulously and also to the members of the Club for giving us their great course for the two days.
Finally - good luck to our teams in Sweden and at Royal Norwich next week. And likewise for that other, less important, team event at Bethpage. Apparently its not quite as hard as Littlestone in the wind!
For the full results at Littlestone Click HERE.
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
