89th Amateur Championship
The 89th BB&O Amateur Championship was held at Woburn over the Dukes Course. 72 players from a wide variety of clubs within BB&O took part, each trying to add their name to the coveted trophy. The Dukes course at Woburn which has played host to European Tour events and still hosts the Travis Perkins Seniors Championship lived up to its Championship reputation and was in stunning condition. The weather took a turn for the worse and most of the morning rounds on the first day were blighted by the rain. Leading the way after round 1 were Alex Nicholls (Goring & Streatley) & Olly Huggins (Frilford Heath) after they fired excellent 70’s. Fortunately the rain cleared and the afternoon rounds were played in much better conditions. The two round cut fell at 154 (+10) and 17 players made it through to the Saturday.
The weather was considerably better for the players on day 2 and the competitors took to the Dukes course to do battle once again. The overnight leaders, Olly Huggins & Alex Nicholls, both fired 74’s to leave them on +2 after three rounds. George Gardner who accompanied the above pair for the final day made up some ground after he fired a 71 to also leave him on +2. There was some distance between the top three and the rest of the players who made the two round cut.
Tim Shin (Castle Royle) finished before the last three and made up some ground after an excellent round of 68 leaving him on 296 after four rounds. Alex Nicholls faded slightly after carding a final round of 79. George & Olly had an up and down battle and Olly had a two shot lead with just 9 holes left to play. The size of Olly’s lead chopped and changed and with just the 18th left to play he was again two shots clear. Both players found the 18th fairway and George played first. He hit a great looking shot straight at the flag but it flew the green and left him with a difficult chip. Olly played his second shot and safely found the green. George narrowly missed his par putt eventually making bogey. Olly had 10ft left for birdie and despite just missing he tapped in for par and was crowned BB&O Amateur Champion. Tim’s 68 lifted him into 2nd on count back ahead of George who finished in third.
The winner of the Penfold Trophy which is awarded to the competitor with the best net score over the first 36 holes was Reece Blair (Woburn) who had a net score of 146. Second in the Penfold Trophy was also a Woburn member, Jack Coleman whose net score was 148.
Thank you to all the staff at Woburn from the green keepers to the catering staff for playing hosts to the event. We wish Olly the very best of luck when he goes on to represent BB&O in the England Golf Champion of Champions event later in the year.
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