North Hants Golfer Takes British Mid Amateur Title

75 of Europe’s leading Mid-Amateur golfers assembled at Woodhall Spa Golf Club (Video Review) to compete in The Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Championship of Great Britain, which was ultimately won by Matt Wilcox of North Hants, who shot rounds 69, 73 and 72 to secure the title by four strokes.

The event was played over 54 holes stroke play over 3 days and was open to all male golfers of any nationality aged over 35 years and with an official, active handicap of 9.4 or less. Such was the interest for this event that a handicap ballot had to be used to bring the entrants (120+) down to 75 with the ballot falling at 3.4 and with over 75% of the field at 1 handicap or better.

“Since the event was introduced back on to the Mid-Amateur schedule last year at Hollinwell (Notts) GC, we were keen to carry on the event using only the very best courses in the UK, hence the reason we held the event at Woodhall Spa GC (Hotchkin) which is ranked 8th in England, 26th in the UK and in the top 80 in the World.” Commented Katie Morris, Golf Operations Director.

“We have a great line up for 2017 including the current English Mid-Amateur Champion Jorg Paulus and the events winner form last year James Bishop. We also have the current Scottish Mid-Amateur Champion Geoff Harris playing along with many county and international players, so we are expecting some great scores from a high class field.”

The “British” as it is being called is also a WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) event for 2017.

“We are hoping that over the next few years the 4 Mid Amateur Majors (The English, Welsh, Scottish and British) will act as a showcase for the considerable talent in the over 35 ranks and it is hoped that they will be used as part of the selection process for the Concession Cup held bi-annually in America.” Added Katie.

The Mid Amateur Golf Tour is now in its 7th year and has over 28 events throughout the year across the UK at courses such as Rye, Formby, Hillside, Sunningdale, Hankley Common, Woodhall Spa, Ashridge, North Hants, Rye and Littlestone to name a few, with a lot of events run on a first come first served basis with no ballot. There is also a year-long scratch and nett Order of Merit with the top players proceeding to a finals day, this year at Sherwood Forest GC.

Full details are available on the recently re-launched MAGT web site (www.midamgolf.co.uk).