Spooner seals Faldo Series victory at season opener

Billy Spooner won the first Faldo Series UK Championship of the 2013 season with a superb one-under-par 70 at Moortown Golf Club in Yorkshire.  The England squad member finished three shots clear of his nearest challenger after the event was shortened to 18 holes due to snow.
 
“This is my first time playing on the Faldo Series and it feels great to win, especially in such testing conditions,” said Spooner of Boston Golf Club in Lincolnshire.  “I’m really looking forward to meeting Sir Nick, he’s a winner and it will be great to learn from him at the final.”
 
Joining Spooner at the 17th Faldo Series Grand Final will be Ben Brewster from Bawtry (Boys’ Under-18) and 2008 finalist Dominic Moon of Rotherham (Boys’ Under-21).
 
The two leading girls will also head to the World Amateur Golf Ranking event, including another former finalist, Ellie Goodall from Selby and Linda Dobele, the first Latvian to qualify for a Grand Final.
 
Supported by The R&A, ISPS and the European Tour, the 2013 Faldo Series Europe schedule will feature a record 20 tournaments in 14 countries including six in England plus others in Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Chile, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria, Wales, Brazil, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and Greece.
 
Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year.  Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.
 
In September 2013, Faldo will begin taking students at a full-time residential academy for education and golf development in America.  The first ever Faldo Series Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona is also home to the Faldo Series USA and marks the next significant step in the programme’s history.
 
Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 73 – Dominic Moon (Rotherham), Steven Robins (Hull); 74 – Ben Sardo (Moor Allerton), Alex Dixon (City of Newcastle).  Boys’ Under-18: 74 – Ben Brewster (Bawtry); 75 – Jack Clarkson (Lancaster), Bradley Hudson (Cookridge).  Boys’ Under-16: 70 – Billy Spooner (Boston); 76 – Dominic Patton (Manor House), Daniel Cox (Sitwell Park).  Girls’ Under-21: 79 – Ellie Goodall (Selby); 84 – Linda Dobele (Viesturi).