UK Senior Golf Association
Gareth Bradley is right at home at the Home of England Golf
Yet another win for Gareth as he posted two rounds under par at the very testing Hotchkin course. A full field beat the limited daylight that the end of season brings and, as usual at a top class venue, the cream rose to the top to take the prizes and those vital Order of Merit points as the season draws to a close.
The course was presented extremely well and, for once, the weather played its part in some excellent scoring conditions.
It was Guy Hindle (Warrington GC) who took a day one lead by one shot from Gareth with a 2 under round that included an eagle 3 at the par 5 9th hole and a back 9 that included 3 further birdies. Gareth had dropped a few shots in his round but an eagle 3 at the 18th returned him to under par and just one shot back. A further one shot back, on level par, sat Messrs Knight, Bruckner and Richardson. And with Mike White shooting a 73 all of the top three in the main OOM were in the top 6 heading into round two.
With similar conditions on day two it was only Gareth able to shoot under par with a 70. Whilst the back 9 played slightly easier than the front 9 for all of us Gareth's exceptional card showed a 4 under par score for the last 10 holes to win by 4 clear shots from his near Race to ESGA rivals.
Gareth collected the Gold medal and the David Frame Trophy
Les Bruckner (Hindhead) posted a 1 over 73 in round two to hang on for the silver medal and collect the Brian Evans Trophy
And Mike White's (West Wilts) 74 kept him in bronze medal position.
For the Race to ESGA in the top category the top five, who are all set to play at the final event at Trevose, may be feeling safe. Ian Attoe sits in the 6th spot however and he is not playing in Cornwall. MIke Ready knows that an extra point at Trevose will see him leap-frog Ian into 6th spot. And there are at least 4 others with a chance to take a place in that team for ESGA 2025. Couldn't be tighter!
Martin Fell's (Ladbroke Park) 152 was sufficient for the Crystal prize in the Super Senior Section behind Les Bruckner. If Martin can repeat his success in that section on his trip to Cornwall he could still grab a spot in that team. With leader Les Bruckner in the main team Malcolm Cawte is top seed there at the moment but the possibilities are endless.
And it was a home win in the Masters category for Stuart Fawcett who edged out his near rival Jimmy Johnston this time. But that ranking looks set in stone as none of the close challengers are travelling South for Trevose to challenge Jimmy for the Silver Salver in that category.
For the ESGA Masters(75+) team qualification Ian Dawkins travels to Trevose hoping to hang on to 4th spot but Dave Matter and others sit just behind him with a chance. Robert Gill looks home and dry in that one in top spot.
With many players doubling up in the scratch and net rankings the possibilities for the handicap squads are too complicated to print - all will unwind at Trevose and those at the top understand what they have to do.
The event at Woodhall Spa was also our "National Finals Day" - our Cub Championship by another name - so silverware was up for grabs.
So major congrats to;
Gareth Bradley for winning the David Frame Trophy (55+)
Les Bruckner for winning the Brian Evans Trophy (65+)
Stuart Fawcett for winning the Peter Belsham Trophy (70+)
Click HERE for the full results from Woodhall Spa
Click HERE for the latest Race to ESGA rankings with just ONE competition remaining.
And finally - good luck to all those travelling to the big end-of-season hurrah at Trevose in Cornwall in the chase for those final vital points. Spots still available!
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