Carr Claims Faldo Series Win at West Lancs

Oliver Carr of Ulverston shot rounds of 71 and 69 to win the Faldo Series UK Championship at West Lancs Golf Club and secure a place in the 2011 Faldo Series Europe Grand Final in September.

17 year-old Carr finished at four under par on 140 to claim the Boys’ Under-18 division.  A two-under-par back nine on the final day also earned Carr the overall title by count-back, ahead of Henry Tomlinson (Royal Lytham and St Anne’s) and Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield) who finished tied on 140 in the Boys’ Under-21 division.

“I was really pleased with my preparation,” said a delighted Carr.  “I practiced my putting a lot, ready for the large greens.  As a result I didn’t miss from inside four feet all week.”

Joining Carr at Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland for the 15th Europe Grand Final will be 2009 Girls’ Under-16 champion Brogan Townend.  The 16 year-old from Pleasington won the Girls’ Under-21 division at West Lancs with rounds of 70 and 72 and will now be looking to repeat her 2009 triumph in Brazil that resulted in a trip to the Asia Grand Final in China.

Also lining up in the Europe Grand Final on September 12-14 will be West Lancashire’s own Eloise Healey (Girls’ Under-16 winner), Jake Storey from Alnmouth (Boys’ Under-16 winner) and Tomlinson.  The 18 year-old defeated Andrews in a play-off to take the Boys’ Under-21 qualifying spot, though Andrews had the consolation of a course record 66 in his opening round.

Established in 1996, 35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 25 countries worldwide with over 5,000 golfers participating each year.  Former winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Yani Tseng, all winners on Tour.

Supported by The R&A, the European Tour and Lough Erne, the 2011 Faldo Series Europe schedule features a record 18 tournaments in 11 different countries including seven in England plus others in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Czech Republic, Russia, Greece, The Netherlands, Brazil, Germany and Slovakia.  It concludes with the Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne, a World Amateur Golf Ranking event hosted by six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo.

Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 140 – Henry Tomlinson (Royal Lytham and St Anne’s) 71-69, Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 66-74; 143 – Alex Croston (Fleetwood) 72-71.  Boys’ Under-18: 140 – Oliver Carr (Ulverston) 71-69; 146 – Kieran Waters (Carlisle) 75-71, Bradley Read (Warrington) 76-70.  Boys’ Under-16: 150 – Jake Storey (Alnmouth) 74-76; 151 – Toby Roberts (Lancaster) 77-74, Michael Hirmer (GC St Eurach) 74-77.  Girls’ Under-21: 142 – Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 70-72; 150 – Elizabeth Stebbings (Wilpshire) 76-74; 155 – Lucie Walker (Ormskirk) 74-81.  Girls’ Under-16: 150 – Eloise Healey (West Lancs) 76-74; 153 – Alice Hewson (Berkhamsted) 78-75; 167 – Carlotta Walterscheid (GC Schwanhof) 84-83.

For more information on the Faldo Series visit www.nickfaldo.com or follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries.