BRITISH AMATEUR STAR BEN TAYLOR AND DAD PHIL
CELEBRATE VICTORY IN THE INAUGURAL BRITISH FATHER AND SON GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
2011
England
Boys International Ben Taylor and his Dad Phil Taylor, a professional
golfer, blow away the field with victory in the British Father &
Son Golf Championship at Belton Woods.
England
International Ben Taylor and his Dad Phil Taylor, a professional golfer,
were celebrating a sensational victory in the inaugural British Father
and Son Golf Championship yesterday. The duo recorded a superb 81 Stableford
points (9 under par) in the 36-hole Betterball scratch event played
at the De Vere Belton Woods in Lincolnshire - four clear of their nearest
rivals Joe and Rymer Smith with 77 points - with third place finishers
Gavin and Carlo Soave a further three shots adrift on 74 and picking
up their prize of a GolfBuddy GPS device each on a count-back. “What
a superb feeling,” commented emotional Dad Phil Taylor as he collected
the winner’s trophy along with a voucher for complimentary entry
into the European Father & Son Golf Championship this October. “As
a PGA Professional it is rare to get the opportunity to play in a tournament
with my son so this really is special.
“This is a fantastic event as it encourages Fathers and Sons from
all walks of life to take part. It doesn’t matter whether you
are an amateur or a professional, a scratch golfer or a 20 handicapper,
anyone can take part and have fun.”
The
Taylors are no strangers to Father and Son Golf limelight having won
the European Father and Son title in 2009. Dad Phil is the Head PGA
professional at Pachesham Golf Academy in Surrey and 18-year-old Ben
is an England Boys International, playing off plus two. Ben is currently
competing on the college circuit out in the USA as part of his degree
at the Nova Southeastern University of Florida. “We had a lot
of fun out there!” added Ben. “The course was in excellent
condition and the greens were true and fast. I had six birdies yesterday,
but Dad came into it when it mattered today and held it together for
the team.”
In
the competition for the British Father and Son Handicap Champions things
were even more hotly contested. An unprecedented 20 pairs recorded a
Betterball Stableford score of 40 points or more playing off ¾
handicap on day one, leaving the championship wide open going into the
final day.
It was 13-year-old Luke Hynes, playing off a 10 handicap, with his Dad
Michael who posted the early lead of 81 points, that would eventually
give them a third place finish. The total came thanks to Luke’s
amazing round of golf where he shot three under par gross and scored
26 points on the front nine of the championship Lakes Course.
However the title came down to the last hole with the Jones’s
from Orsett Golf Club – Dad Jason playing off seven and son Kane
off a six handicap - recording a par net birdie for an all-important
three points to finish on an amazing 85 point total, three ahead of
their nearest challengers John and Paul O’Dea. “It’s
a total shock to win,” commented a choked up Jason Jones with
tears in his eyes. “It’s been an emotional few days, we
were just saying last night how much we’d love to go out to Spain
to compete in the European Father and Son Championship in October but
things have been tough at work for me so I couldn’t afford the
trip – of course now as champions with our free place we’ll
be able to make it the trip of a lifetime.”
What made the Jones’s performance even more impressive was how
they handled the pressure of leading by a single stroke coming down
the tricky par-5 18th. Dad Jason only took up golf eight years ago and
Kane has only been playing a couple of years, yet both players knocked
their approach shots close over water despite out of bounds looming
at the back of the green. “I guess you could say we’re both
golfing virgins,” Jason laughed! “Neither of us has won
a big tournament before so this is really special. Any Fathers and Sons
that don’t enter this tournament are seriously missing out.”
Tournament organiser Toby Marsden gave a special thanks to the De Vere
Belton Wood’s head greenkeeper Angus McCloud for presenting the
two courses – the Woodside and the Lakes – in superb condition,
to the Director of Golf Andrew Cameron and his staff for all their help
with organisation and to the many volunteers who had made the event
run so smoothly.
“Thanks also go to our sponsors Motocaddy, Golfbuddy and Srixon
for their generous prize donations,” added Toby Marsden. “The
biggest thanks of all must go to the De Vere Belton Woods for their
incredible hospitality these past two days. All our competitors are
leaving with a smile on their faces having had a fun few days.”
The Scratch and Handicap champions now go forward to represent Britain
in the prestigious European Father and Son Golf Championship at El Rompido
Golf Resort, Costa de la Luz, Spain on October 24-29th 2011.
Entry to the European Father and Son Golf Championship costs just €658
for juniors (under 18) and €769 for adults. The price includes
five night’s accommodation on a half board basis (dinner, bed
and breakfast) at the five-star El Rompido Golf Resort in Cartaya Huelva,
Costa de la Luz, Spain; four rounds of golf, tournament entry and prizes.
Entrants also benefit from free chauffeured coach transfers to and from
Faro Airport, a welcome drink, banquet gala dinner, live entertainment
and excellent prizes. Golf professionals, club secretaries, head bar
stewards and green keepers can enter for the special discounted price
of €658, while past competitors of the European Father and Son
Golf Championship, current club captains and junior organisers can also
enjoy the same discount. “The idea behind the European Father
and Son Golf Championship was to create a fun event that is accessible
by all,” explains Marsden. “By opening the entry to professionals
and amateurs of all ages Father and Son partnerships from every aspect
of golf, from the hard-working green keeper to the avid club player,
can take part.”
Entry numbers are restricted so competitors are advised to book their
place in the tournament early to avoid disappointment. Contact: 01702
680180 or email: info@fatherandsongolf.co.uk
Further
information about the European Father and Son Golf Championship can
be found on the website www.fatherandsongolf.co.uk
ENDS
For
additional information and images please contact PR and marketing coordinator
CARLY CUMMINS. Tel: 07545 985732. Email: cjc7001@yahoo.com
