Just several days before the England Captains Series Final, Peter Higgins wasn’t expecting to be part of the event. But on Tuesday evening, the 73-year-old was crowned champion after shooting 78 points across two days at Woodhall Spa.
After racking up 40 points on day one, the retired school teacher added 38 points on day two to seal victory.
But the 8.5-handicapper revealed how he almost didn’t make the event, which took place on the Hotchkin and Bracken courses: “I didn’t pre-qualify as I was ninth at Hollinwell (qualifier) so I thought my chance was gone. I was then on holiday in Portugal and my brother-in-law was talking about junk mail and I said I never looked at mine. He told me I needed to check it!
“I went through 130-odd items and as I was scrolling down and getting rid of them, Glyn’s name appeared (Glyn Roddy, England Golf Tournament Manager). I got back to him and thought I’d missed the opportunity but then last Thursday I had an email asking if I still wanted to take part and I quickly got back to say ‘Yes please!’ and history was made!”
Despite a tough start on day two, Peter birdied the tricky ninth and 11th holes to catapult himself back to pole position. It was a nervy finish on the 18th, where he managed to hit two bunkers, but a 20-foot putt from off the green lipped out as a bogey was enough to secure the win and he admitted: “It’s absolutely amazing. I’ve been trying to win this for 20 years. I was captain in 1999 and I’ve played in the final 10 or 15 times in that period and this is the best I’ve done, with just some top-tens before.
“I’ve played here a number of times. The Bracken is very challenging with the greens especially, and then you’ve got the Hotchkin with the bunkers. It was really well presented, the course was absolutely brilliant.”
Asked about the Captains Series, the Radcliffe on Trent golfer explained why he enjoys it so much: “It’s the camaraderie and the courses that we play. The qualifying competitions and then that culminating here at Woodhall, they’re all great and it’s well worth it.
“Yesterday I played with a chap called Alan and we met up afterwards, had a few beers and watched the football. This is a guy I’d never met before in my life, and today I played with two good people and had a great time – the banter was excellent and that’s what it’s about on the Captains Series.”
Asked how he’d be celebrating his win, Peter added: “There could be a beer or two, I have got some driving to do so it mightn’t be at Woodhall but it’s my son’s birthday so I shall be taking a trophy home and saying ‘Look what I got you for your birthday?!’
“We’ve got a past Captains competition next Friday so I will be taking it there in front of the other past Captains at the club and hopefully promoting this great competition.”
James Wale (Stapleford Abbots) finished in second place with 75 points across the two days, including 39 points on day two for the 15.6-handicapper. The 35-year-old explained: “I’ll definitely be coming back next year. I love playing with people who have the same sort of attitude towards the game – everyone involved is so friendly and helpful.”
Lee Sculpher (Blackburn), 53, finished in third on countback (73) after 40 points on the Hotchkin course, which included a birdie on the third. The 7.7-handicapper added: “I’ve really enjoyed the event. It’s such a relaxing event yet so professionally ran and I will certainly be involved again next year.”
Check out the final England Captains leaderboard by clicking here.
To find out more about the England Captains Series, click here.
But the 8.5-handicapper revealed how he almost didn’t make the event, which took place on the Hotchkin and Bracken courses: “I didn’t pre-qualify as I was ninth at Hollinwell (qualifier) so I thought my chance was gone. I was then on holiday in Portugal and my brother-in-law was talking about junk mail and I said I never looked at mine. He told me I needed to check it!
“I went through 130-odd items and as I was scrolling down and getting rid of them, Glyn’s name appeared (Glyn Roddy, England Golf Tournament Manager). I got back to him and thought I’d missed the opportunity but then last Thursday I had an email asking if I still wanted to take part and I quickly got back to say ‘Yes please!’ and history was made!”
Despite a tough start on day two, Peter birdied the tricky ninth and 11th holes to catapult himself back to pole position. It was a nervy finish on the 18th, where he managed to hit two bunkers, but a 20-foot putt from off the green lipped out as a bogey was enough to secure the win and he admitted: “It’s absolutely amazing. I’ve been trying to win this for 20 years. I was captain in 1999 and I’ve played in the final 10 or 15 times in that period and this is the best I’ve done, with just some top-tens before.
“I’ve played here a number of times. The Bracken is very challenging with the greens especially, and then you’ve got the Hotchkin with the bunkers. It was really well presented, the course was absolutely brilliant.”
Asked about the Captains Series, the Radcliffe on Trent golfer explained why he enjoys it so much: “It’s the camaraderie and the courses that we play. The qualifying competitions and then that culminating here at Woodhall, they’re all great and it’s well worth it.
“Yesterday I played with a chap called Alan and we met up afterwards, had a few beers and watched the football. This is a guy I’d never met before in my life, and today I played with two good people and had a great time – the banter was excellent and that’s what it’s about on the Captains Series.”
Asked how he’d be celebrating his win, Peter added: “There could be a beer or two, I have got some driving to do so it mightn’t be at Woodhall but it’s my son’s birthday so I shall be taking a trophy home and saying ‘Look what I got you for your birthday?!’
“We’ve got a past Captains competition next Friday so I will be taking it there in front of the other past Captains at the club and hopefully promoting this great competition.”
James Wale (Stapleford Abbots) finished in second place with 75 points across the two days, including 39 points on day two for the 15.6-handicapper. The 35-year-old explained: “I’ll definitely be coming back next year. I love playing with people who have the same sort of attitude towards the game – everyone involved is so friendly and helpful.”
Lee Sculpher (Blackburn), 53, finished in third on countback (73) after 40 points on the Hotchkin course, which included a birdie on the third. The 7.7-handicapper added: “I’ve really enjoyed the event. It’s such a relaxing event yet so professionally ran and I will certainly be involved again next year.”
Check out the final England Captains leaderboard by clicking here.
To find out more about the England Captains Series, click here.
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: pr@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: pr@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org