Brad Smith made it back-to-back English Open for Golfers with a Disability titles after winning by four shots at Ramside Hall’s Prince Bishops Course.
The Royal Cromer golfer shot level-par on the opening day and despite a tough 80 (+7) on day two, it was enough to edge his nearest competitor Benji Heaton (Walmer & Kingsdown).
Smith said: “It’s awesome. I wasn’t too pleased with how I played on the final day but overall I’m very happy to bring the trophy back home for another year!”
Heaton shot out the blocks with two birdies early on and found himself in the lead but Smith admitted: “I knew there were plenty of holes to go and some tricky holes out there, but Benji certainly came out the gates hot! I just told myself to stay patient and I got angry a few times, but I let that go quickly and moved onto the next shot to refocus.”
Smith, who won the title last year at Stoke by Nayland added: “I’ll celebrate the win with a long drive home and going straight to bed! But yes, I’ll probably meet up with a few friends in the coming days and have some fun!
“I’m off the US Adaptive Championship next week, and I’ll certainly be back next year to try and defend my title again.”
Elsewhere, Scotland’s Martin Lonie holed out from 82 yards for a fantastic eagle on the par-5 17th to help him to a 3rd-place finish on countback on +16, edging Heather Gilks, Aimi Bullock and Scotland’s Gordon Mclay, who all finished on the same score.
Heather pips mum to win women’s net title!
Smith said: “It’s awesome. I wasn’t too pleased with how I played on the final day but overall I’m very happy to bring the trophy back home for another year!”
Heaton shot out the blocks with two birdies early on and found himself in the lead but Smith admitted: “I knew there were plenty of holes to go and some tricky holes out there, but Benji certainly came out the gates hot! I just told myself to stay patient and I got angry a few times, but I let that go quickly and moved onto the next shot to refocus.”
Smith, who won the title last year at Stoke by Nayland added: “I’ll celebrate the win with a long drive home and going straight to bed! But yes, I’ll probably meet up with a few friends in the coming days and have some fun!
“I’m off the US Adaptive Championship next week, and I’ll certainly be back next year to try and defend my title again.”
Elsewhere, Scotland’s Martin Lonie holed out from 82 yards for a fantastic eagle on the par-5 17th to help him to a 3rd-place finish on countback on +16, edging Heather Gilks, Aimi Bullock and Scotland’s Gordon Mclay, who all finished on the same score.
Heather pips mum to win women’s net title!
In the women’s net competition, Heather Gilks (10 handicap) was the champion after shooting her handicap thanks to rounds of 83 on both days, which helped her beat her mum Martine by two shots in the process!
The Coventry golfer made an impressive three birdies in her second round, including stiffing one close on the par-3 15th.
Heather’s England Golf Disability teammate Aimi Bullock (Sunningdale Heath), mum Martine, and Nicky Weeks (Puttenham), all finished on the same score (+2), with Bullock (9 handicap) also shooting 83 in each of her two rounds. Bullock was 3rd on countback, with Heather’s mum Martine 2nd.
Skaife takes men’s title despite Allan’s PB
The Coventry golfer made an impressive three birdies in her second round, including stiffing one close on the par-3 15th.
Heather’s England Golf Disability teammate Aimi Bullock (Sunningdale Heath), mum Martine, and Nicky Weeks (Puttenham), all finished on the same score (+2), with Bullock (9 handicap) also shooting 83 in each of her two rounds. Bullock was 3rd on countback, with Heather’s mum Martine 2nd.
Skaife takes men’s title despite Allan’s PB
In the men’s net competition, Bishop Auckland’s Stuart Skaife rallied on the final day to shoot seven pars and two birdies to win the title by three shots. Skaife finished 6-under his 16 handicap on day two to pip Ramside’s very own Jamie Smith, who shot 3-under his 13 handicap on his home course.
Adam Dalton (The Royal Jersey) enjoyed a fantastic day too, shooting 5-under his 12 handicap, to pick up 3rd place overall on 2-under his handicap, edging Ireland’s Mark Clougherty on countback. Clougherty enjoyed a round of 6-under his 13 handicap on day one but a 77 on day two meant a 4th-place finish.
David Reaney, who represented England last year in the European Disability Team Championship, shot 7-under his 16 handicap on day two to finish 5th.
Elsewhere, the round of the tournament came from Oulton Hall’s Phil Allan, who shot his best-ever score on day two, 8-under his handicap of 13, for a total of +5 (78) gross.
Speariett storms to Stableford success
Adam Dalton (The Royal Jersey) enjoyed a fantastic day too, shooting 5-under his 12 handicap, to pick up 3rd place overall on 2-under his handicap, edging Ireland’s Mark Clougherty on countback. Clougherty enjoyed a round of 6-under his 13 handicap on day one but a 77 on day two meant a 4th-place finish.
David Reaney, who represented England last year in the European Disability Team Championship, shot 7-under his 16 handicap on day two to finish 5th.
Elsewhere, the round of the tournament came from Oulton Hall’s Phil Allan, who shot his best-ever score on day two, 8-under his handicap of 13, for a total of +5 (78) gross.
Speariett storms to Stableford success
Formby Hall’s Chris Speariett had a week to remember after shooting 86 points across 36 holes to win the Stableford Championship.
45 points on the first day and 41 points on day two ensured he finished 11 clear of his nearest competitor David Sellner (Czech Republic), with Ireland’s Gary Barrett finishing 3rd on 71 points.
Sue Matthews (Woodhall Hills) finished 4th, with Italian trio Jacopo Luce, Alla Tanfoglio and Joachim Holzner closely following.
Check out the final leaderboards here.
45 points on the first day and 41 points on day two ensured he finished 11 clear of his nearest competitor David Sellner (Czech Republic), with Ireland’s Gary Barrett finishing 3rd on 71 points.
Sue Matthews (Woodhall Hills) finished 4th, with Italian trio Jacopo Luce, Alla Tanfoglio and Joachim Holzner closely following.
Check out the final leaderboards here.
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org