Theo Nelson crowned Midland Boys Closed Amateur Champion with course record 62

Theo Nelson crowned Midland Boys Closed Amateur Champion with a second-round course record of 62 to secure his first Midland Region title at Burghley Park on 8th July.

Joshua Gardner opened with a 67 to head the field after the first round with Lewis Karim (The Gog Magog) just one off the pace with a 68, closely followed by the Cosby pair of Cameron Harris and Toby Osborne both returning 69’s. A level par 70 for Ethan Wan (Coxmoor) kept him in contention with Fynn Colley (Market Harborough), Leon DeVito (Forest Pines) and Hayden Sarfo (Worcester Golf & Country) within sight of the leaders on 71. There followed a pack of 5 on 72 hoping to make up the difference of 5 shots in the second round. Ellis Kerr (The Gog Magog), Oliver Perks (Beau Desert), Wilf Trestrail (Woodhall Spa), Gabriel Westrope (Coventry) and Theo Nelson (Coxmoor). To make up the 5 shots required to catch the leader seemed a tall order, until Theo Nelson set out on a blistering run of form in round 2. With a blemish free front 9 which included 2 birdies at 5 and 8 for an outward 33 the scene was set for a tussle at the top of the leaderboard. The impressive scoring on the front nine was followed by birdies at 10, 11 and 12. Par’s at 13 and 14 was then followed by birdies at 15, 16 and 17. Word was spreading of something special and a difficult par on the final green was enough to card a remarkable fightback to secure a 6 under par total of 134 and a 4 shot victory with the added bonus of a new course record 62 at Burghley Park, The resultant 33 out and 29 on the back nine sets a new record at the club. First round leader Joshua Gardner returned with a respectable 71 to take the runner up slot for a 2 under par finish. Gabriel Westrope moved up to third with a final round 67 to finish on 139. Hayden Sarfo , Fynn Colley and Rhys Harper (Kedleston Park) all finished with 69’s to take 4th, 5th and 6th place respectively. Oliver Perks and Leon DeVito tied with Rhys on 142. Cameron Harris slipped to 9th place with a 74 for a 143 finish. Completing the top 10 were Ellis Kerr, Toby Osborne and Lewis Karim.

The John Preston Memorial Trophy for U16’s on the day was won by Theo Nelson with Hayden Sarfo runner up with a level par 140 which would have been enough normally to take the title had it not been for the exceptional final round of the Champion. Ellis Kerr & Wilf Trestrail taking 3rd and 4th place with 5th being shared by Hamish Carnegie (The Gog Magog) and 2024 U16 winner Tristan Evans (The Gog Magog).

Theo Nelson thanked playing partners Fynn Colley and Zach Banks (Shifnal) for keeping him calm when the pressure was on during the closing stages of the final round. Theo joins a small list of players who have taken both titles at the same time such as Billy Spooner in 2013 and Ashley Chesters in 2005. There are a few more with their names on both trophies but not always in the same year apart from the trio of Chesters, Spooner and now Theo Nelson. The 134 total is also the lowest recorded in the history of the competition.

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