SingleFigureGolfer 2011 Final Result

A team of leading amateur golfers edged out former Ryder Cup and Walker Cup stars in a thrilling contest to reclaim the 2011 SingleFigureGolfer Challenge Cup in Cornwall.

The links course of Trevose hosted the 4th annual fixture on October 19th – 20th, where Walker Cup captain Peter McEvoy’s Team SFG played a team captained by former Ryder Cup vice-captain Peter Baker.

Baker took to the tee alongside fellow professionals including Paul Broadhurst, David Gilford, Paul Way, Steve Richardson and Gordon Brand Junior.

The amateur team had qualified throughout the season on the Single Figure Golfer Challenge Tour sponsored by Srixon. The final ten golfers had already emerged from the Qualifying School which was played over two days at the same venue on October 17th-18th.

Day One saw the amateurs make a flying start in the Fourballs, taking a 5-0 lead thanks to some insightful pairings from McEvoy. The lead was extended to seven points during the morning Foursomes on Day Two, meaning the McEvoy’s team needed just two points from the afternoon’s singles to secure victory.
However, with the expansive links greens becoming faster and the Championship Course playing its full distance, the professionals countered. Opening professionals Paul Broadhurst and Roger Chapman impressed as the clash went down to the penultimate game on the 17th green before the amateurs finally sealed a 10 ½ - 9 ½ victory.

Delighted Team SFG Captain Peter McEvoy said: “We knew that players of this calibre who have won at the highest level of the game and in similar situations would mount a fight back. Watching events unfold it is again so obvious that shots become more important the closer to the hole one gets.

“The pros know this and they have not forgotten it. They make considered, managed decisions on every shot, every hole and every round. Lessons to be learned for club players. Luckily for us, this year we managed to put enough clear water between us before the inevitable charge commenced.”

Peter Baker commenting on his teams valiant efforts said: “After my inaugural victory as captain last year I was delighted to lead the team this year in trying to retain the trophy.

“With the couple of new selections I made of players who are currently in fine form, such as Paul Broadhurst, I knew we would be hard to beat and even after the foursomes thought we had a chance on this course, in these conditions.

“This is not a pro-am, this is team golf with real pressure, and my players were hurting so I knew what they were capable of and we almost did it, but congratulations to Team SFG on their thoroughly deserved win.

“I feel this event is unique in the golfing world and one which gives the opportunity to good club golfers to compete in a competition which recognises their endeavors and rewards them with an experience they will never forget. Here’s to next year when I will seek to ensure we return better than ever, to reclaim the trophy.”

Previous SFG finals were played at Woodhall Spa, the Twenty Ten course at Celtic Manor, and Trevose last year. After the success of the 2010 tournament, the testing return to links golf was chosen for 2011.

Once again the course could not have been in better condition and with the superb facilities offered, it was a fitting venue to host the final. Owner Nick Gammon commented: “We were honored to be asked to host the final again and are delighted that so many great players have played and most importantly enjoyed the course this week”

For more information visit www.singlefiguregolfer.co.uk