Oliver Hirst-Greenham holds his English Open for golfers with a disability trophy at Kings Norton GC
Morecambe's Oliver Hirst-Greenham produced a magnificent final round to take the spoils in the English Open for golfers with a disability.
The 38-year-old posted rounds of 77 and 72 over the West Midlands course at Kings Norton Golf Club to win by two shots from the overnight leader Thomas Blizzard.
Blizzard – playing out of Droitwich Golf Club just up the road from Kings Norton – put in two excellent rounds of 74 and 77 and the 17-year-old can be pleased with his performance in the 36-hole stroke play event.
Royal Liverpool's Jack McCrindle and Ellesmere's Matthew Bradshaw finished tied third (+7) with Orsett's Cassidy Steffens just a shot further back.
However, Hirst-Greenham was able to use his power striking to end with a total net score of 149 (+3) and lift the trophy, 12 months after finishing fifth in the same event at Carden Park Golf Club, much to his delight.
"I don't really know how I'm feeling right now, I'm overwhelmed because it's just an amazing feeling. I went into today a couple of shots back and I thought to myself 'just go and attack it," he said.
"I pulled the driver out on holes I probably shouldn't have and I managed to hit it so well, smashing drives down the fairway which is very unusual for me, and get it done at the end.
"Kings Norton is a beautiful golf course, it was in excellent condition and I'd really like to come and play here again so a big thank you to everyone from the club who helped get things set up.
"To look on the trophy and see some of the names on there gives me a brilliant feeling. Seeing my friend Kipp Popert's name on there is fantastic as well!"
Richard Saunders in action during the English Open for golfers with a disability at Kings Norton Golf Club
In the Stableford competition, Stoke by Nayland's Richard Saunders (pictured above) retained his title after recording a superb 83 points over the two days to finish four points clear of Lakeside Lodge's Phil Meadows.
In the women’s nett competition, Heather Gilks from Coventry made it back-to-back victories after winning the same prize last year, finishing a shot clear of Cambridge Country Club's Michelle Lau.
The men's nett winner was James McRitchie from The Warwickshire as he ended the competition two shots ahead of Kings Norton's own Robert Parsons.
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