GOLF: MORE than 80 amateur golfers went a fairway to demonstrate their putting prowess at the regional final of a nationwide golfing competition.
Brandon Wood Golf Course and Club, in Wolston, hosted one of the regional rounds of the UK Public Course Championship (UKPCC) – one of the UK’s biggest and most popular amateur golf tournaments.
As many as 3,000 amateur golfers enter the tournament nationally each year with players competing across 15 different club locations in the UK, and the Warwickshire club was chosen as the venue for this year’s Midlands final.
Golfers teed off from 8.30am to take part in the 18-hole stableford tournament, all competing for the 11 places which would qualify for the national final, taking place at St. Andrews Links on October 2.
Among the players who qualified was Brandon Wood member, Paul Dixon. Paul, who had the best gross score of 34 points and also holds the club’s overall course record for his score of 69, said he was delighted to have made it through to the final.
He said: “I’ve been a member of Brandon Wood for three years and from the very first time I played it has always been a really good test of golf – the course was in great condition on the day.
“All you can do is try your best in tournaments but fortunately I managed to keep momentum going and it worked out well for me on the day, so I’m really pleased to be going to St. Andrews.”
The UKPCC, which has been running for more than 15 years, saw current Masters champion Danny Willett take the trophy in 2004 – the same year Brandon Wood PGA professional Lewis Baker also competed for the title.
Lewis said: “The UK PCC is a competition I am familiar with after competing in it 12 years ago with Danny Willett, before I went professional.
“It’s one of the most prestigious trophies that can be won in amateur golf so Brandon Wood was delighted to play host to the Midlands round – and even better that one of our own won it!
“We wish Paul the best of luck in the final and are sure he will be a great champion of the fine talent of our members at Brandon Wood.”