Matthew Southgate & His Dad Secure 2016 European Father & Son Golf Championship

European Tour player Matthew Southgate joined forces successfully with his dad, Ian, as they secured the 2016 European Father & Son Golf Championships in dramatic fashion after a three-way playoff was required to identify the winners of the Scratch Cateogry in Spain.

Matthew, currently lying 48th in the European Tour Race to Dubai rankings, and 5 handicapper Ian from England completed the 54 holes of competition in 13 under par after a storming 6 under par on the final day to catch the overnight leaders amateurs Gareth Bradley and his son Charles from Cheshire, England who let a four shot lead slip, to go into a three-way tie including defending champions British teaching professional Gary Milliner and his German-born son, Justin.

After all halving the first play-off hole, it was back down the 18th hole again for the three groups where Matthew eventually secured the victory by holing a 15 foot from off the fringe for par in front of a cheering crowd and Sky Sports cameras.

“I cannot believe that me and my dad are European Champions! What a dad, what a legend, what a day, this is such a special event and it means the world to me,” declared an emotional and tearful Matthew, who came fourth in the Irish Open on the European Tour in May and 12th in The Open Championship at Royal Troon in July.

Meanwhile the Handicap category of the Championships was won by defending champions, the Milliners, in 13 under par, scoring 121 points in the twoball, better ball stableford competition which, like the Scratch competition, was played over the championship courses at the Costa Ballena Ocean Golf Club and the Sherry Golf Jerez over three days (October 26 – 28).

Forty seven teams gathered in this picturesque corner of Cadiz, considered one of Spain’s top golfing destinations, to play golf and have some fun with the family. Golfers from America, Australia, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland and the UK contested the ninth staging of this popular event whilst family and friends also came along for the ride and to cheer on their team.

Several youngsters (a couple under five foot!) played in the event but it was Emily Jolly, a 22 handicapper from Germany, who made the history books when she became the first ever daughter to take part in the Championships. Just 13 years old, Emily played alongside her grandfather, Peter, whilst Emily’s father Andy, a British teaching pro in Germany, teamed up with his son, Miles.

As well as giving players the chance to rub shoulders with European Tour players, the Championships were run along the lines of a professional golf event with an official announcer introducing the teams on the tee, scoreboards out on the course, referees on hand to settle any rulings issues, caddies to carry the bags, an official photographer to record the event as well as a host of volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the tournament.

To add to the atmosphere top golf broadcaster, Sky Sports, was again on site to capture the action at this year’s tournament and a highlights show will go to air shortly.

As one of Europe’s favourite family golf destinations, Andalucia was the perfect venue for the Championships thanks to the fact that the sun shines virtually every day of the year.

Once again the Father & Son European Championships was not only a great opportunity for some family bonding, but proved to be an excellent way of meeting fellow golfers from all over the world.

The full leaderboard for the Championships can be found here: http://www.fatherandsongolf.co.uk/member/leaderboard

To sign up for next year’s event, go to www.fatherandsongolf.co.uk  or phone + 44 (0)1702 680180, or email [email protected]/