Matt Surgey Crowned 2012 Gtour Race to Cyprus Champion

Matt Surgey was crowned 2012 Gtour Race to Cyprus Champion after a thrilling two days at the Aphrodite Hills Resort.

52 players qualified for the two-day semi-final at De Vere Belton Woods in November with only ten booking their seat on the plane to Cyprus for the final shootout.

The year-long qualification started way back in February and for Surgey. Surgey, who joined the tour at its very first event back in 2009, was a popular and worthy winner following a 36-hole grand final held at Aphrodite Hills resort in April 2013.
Looking back on the year Surgey was delighted with his win: “It’s fantastic to be stood here the winner. I can’t quite put it into words but it’s been a great few days and I’d like to thank everyone involved who made this all possible from organisers to my playing partners it’s really been a wonderful trip and I look forward to hopefully being back here next year.”

Runner up and fellow Gtour veteran Graham Miles praised what was a fitting finale: "The event was perfect, I would like to say Many thanks to Aegean Airways for great flights, to Bunker Mentality for great shirts, belts and hats and a special thanks to Aphrodite Hills for a fantastic hotel and a brilliant golf course.”  Miles then added:  "The final was the pinnacle of a fantastic year on the Gtour."

Aphrodite Hills proved a fitting venue for the final, taking place on the magnificent 18-hole championship golf course, spreading over 6,299 metres. Under the soaring Cypriot sun, Surgey was hotly pursued by Miles who came second for the second year in a row with 2009 and 2010 Gtour Champion Shane Davies and 2011 Order of Merit winner Steve Watson also in contention going into the final day.

Business Development Director of Aphrodite Hills Resort, Andreas Vasiliou commented after the event: “We would like to congratulate all finalists and the winner. It was such a pleasure hosting the 2012 final at our wonderful resort. The Race to Cyprus has now been established as one of the best amateur UK tours around and we’re happy to continue with the sponsorship in 2013. We wish continued success to everyone.”

The event was a fitting finale to an incredible 2012 season which featured hundreds of players playing great golf in a fun environment.

Tournament Director Colin Astbury said: “All the team at the Gtour would like to congratulate Matt on his deserved win. It was a close run event but he played consistently posting a first and a second place over the two days narrowly edging out Graham Miles with his first and third places.”

With the 2012 season now complete Astbury added: “I would like to thank all the players that took part throughout 2012 and of course the many companies that have supported us and our players during the season. Especially the team at The Cypriot Tourist Board, Aphrodite Hills Resort, Aegean Airlines, Bunker Mentality, Golf Mission and Aim-Mate for providing accommodation, travel, clothing and equipment plus De Vere Venues, Wildwood and Moor Allerton GC for hosting our 2012 qualifiers. ‘