Amateur player from USA hits course record at Wildernesse to win Open Regional Qualifier just ahead of Sevenoaks golfer
WILDERNESSE Golf Club in Sevenoaks held another Regional Qualifier ahead of the Open Championship recently when 116 professional and amateur golfers from all over the world competed.
Stephen Shephard who shot a course record at Wildernesse during the Open Regional Qualifier.
The warm and calm day helped attract a good crowd of spectators who were able to watch the players tackle the challenging layout of the Wildernesse course in their attempt to secure one of the 13 places available for the final qualifying round at Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich.
Stephen Shephard, a 22-year-old amateur from Florida, played spectacular golf and won the day with a course record score of 64, which included only 25 putts. This edged Oliver Sly from Knole Park who shot a round of 66, into second place. Liam Burns from Chislehurst, Jensen Hull from Hever Castle and Simon Khan, who won the BMW PGA championship at Wentworth in 2010, all tied for third place with scores of 68.
There were nine players, including Danny Jones of Wildernesse, who tied for 12th place. They were all competing for the 12th and 13th qualifying spots. After a three-hole play off, the last two places went to Freddie Price from Royal Blackheath and Giles Gill from Plum Creek. Unfortunately, Danny Jones just missed out.
The top 13 players now go through to the final qualifying competition at Prince’s tomorrow (Tuesday 2 July) ahead of the Open Championship at Portrush in Northern Ireland on 18 – 21 July.
Wildernesse Chairman, David Evans said: “Wildernesse Golf Club is once again delighted to have successfully hosted its fifth Open Regional qualifying competition. We are honoured to be one of only thirteen clubs in the UK and Ireland to host an event of this stature and we hope this will encourage more people to visit us and explore the wonderful course and facilities at Wildernesse.”
The Wildernesse Golf Club top 13 results were:
Stephen Shephard (A) United States, (8) – 64; Oliver Sly, Knole Park (-6) 68; Liam Burns (A), Chislehurst (-4) 68; Simon Kahn, Hanbury Manor (-4), 68; Jensen Hull (A), Hever (-4) 68; Warren Bennett, Chestfield (-3) 69; Craig Sutherland, Poult Wood (-3)69 Scott Hudson, The Warren (-2) 70; Mark Brailey, Shirley Park (-2) 70; Harvey Byers (A), Walton Heath (-2)70; Daniel Brown, Littlestone (-2) 70; Freddie Price, Royal Blackheath (-1) 71; Giles Gill (A), Plum Creek (-1) 71
