LUKE Towler of Telford Golf & Country Club was the winner of the Northern Ireland Open Qualifier held at Redditch Golf Club.
Battling intermittent rainstorms, sunshine and rising wind in the afternoon, he came in with a two under par score of 70.
With two places to compete for at this prestigious European Challenge Tour event, two players were locked in second place as Ryan Evans (Wellingborough) and Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth Golf Club) both carded a one under par 71, and it took until the fifth sudden death play-off hole for Evans to clinch the second qualifier spot with a birdie.
Club general manager Sue McDevitt paid tribute to both the groundstaff who battled the elements to ensure the competition could take place and to the many club members who volunteered their services for every kind of role from stewarding to car park attendant.
“This was the first of what we hope will become many such prestigious professional events that will continue to put Redditch Golf Club on the map,” she said.
“The event was sponsored by Alutrade Products Ltd from Hampton Lovett near Droitwich, Auto Electrics Redditch and BST Supplies Ltd from Wolverhampton to whom we are grateful.”
The club’s next major competition is the West Midlands Corporate Golf Challenge at the Lower Grinsty Lane course on Friday, June 12.
Companies, professional and financial firms will be battling it out to be crowned the region’s top business golfers as they battle for the Tony Flanagan Trophy, which is being presented in memory of the photographer who was such a regular at Midlands corporate golf days until his untimely death from cancer in 2013.
The trophy has been donated by Andy and Angela Skinner for whom ‘Flan’ was Best Man at their wedding and a lifelong friend.
There are still a few team places available. Details for entries or sponsorship inquiries to general manager Sue McDevitt on 01527 543079 or via e-mail at [email protected].
