Midland Golf Union
Midland boys qualify for Faldo Series Grand Final
AWESOME ANTONISSE TRIUMPHS AT TRENTHAM 17-YEAR-OLD DUTCHMAN WINS FALDO SERIES MIDLANDS CHAMPIONSHIP 05 August 2016:
Dario Antonisse (Ugc De Pan) hit top form at Trentham to win the Faldo Series Midlands Championship by a single shot. The 17-year-old from The Netherlands shot rounds of 73, 67 and 73 to defeat Tom Duncalf (Sandiway) and seal qualification to the twentieth Faldo Series Grand Final. Antonisse enjoyed a remarkable finish as he produced three birdies in the last three holes to seize the trophy. Duncalf shot a well-crafted 67 on the opening day to surge into the lead but with such a talented field chasing it was inevitable there would be a strong response. Four sub-70 scores were posted on the second day to crank up the pressure on Duncalf before Antonisse seized his chance on the final stretch. The Dutchman won the Under-18 category as well and will line up in his third Faldo Series Grand Final. Duncalf; who celebrated his birthday on the final day, will be extremely pleased with the high standards he set in the week but just missed out on the illusive Grand Final qualification spot.
The Boys’ Under-21 division was won by Jack Malone (Rugby) by three shots. Malone posted rounds of 72,72 and 74 to fight off Matthew Downes (Ingestre Park) and claim a spot in his first ever Faldo Series Grand Final.
A playoff was required to split Charlie Salter (Northamptonshire County) and Harry Fearn (Trentham) in the Under-16 category. Fearns’ local knowledge was no doubt valuable as the par fought tooth and nail over the three days. Eventually it was Charlie Salter who emerged from the playoff with a category win and Grand Final qualification.
The Girl’s championship was played in parallel to the Boys’ with six Grand Final qualification spot up for grabs for the leading ladies. 17-year-old Emily Brennan has produced some wonderful golf this season and her rounds of 76, 71 and 75 at her home club claimed the overall victory by two shots. In the process she was crowned Girls’ Under-21 champion. Georgia Coughlin (St Annes Old Links) finished three shots behind Brennan in the Under-21 division but she does have the considerable consolation of the silver medal and her invitation to the Grand Final. The third and final spot in the division went to Brandy Rook (Royal Eastbourne). The gold medal in the Under-16 Girls’ was won by Natasha Slater (Furness) with rounds of 75,73 and 76, just two shots shy Emily Brennan. Amy Taylor (Bawburgh) claimed silver medal with her rounds of 80-70 and 76. The bronze and final qualification spot was won by Nicola Slater (Hickleton).
Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching thousands of golfers each year. Past winners include Major Champions Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, who took his tally of professional Major titles to four with his wins at the 2014 Open Championship and US PGA Championship.
Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 218 – Jack Malone (Rugby) 72-72-74; 221 – Matthew Downes (Ingestre Park) 74-69-78.
Boys’ Under 18: 213 – Dario Antonisse (Ugc De Pan) 73-67-73; 214 – Tom Duncalf (Sandiway) 67-73-74.
Boys’ Under 16: 227 – Charlie Salter (Northamptonshire County) 75-77-75, Harry Fearn (Trentham) 78-73-76.
Girls’ Under 21: 222 – Emily Brennan (Trentham) 76-71-75; 225 – Georgia Coughlin (St Annes Old Links) 75-73-77; 228 – Brandy Rook (Royal Eastbourne) 76-75-77.
Girls’ Under 16: 224 – Natasha Slater (Furness) 75-73-76; 226 – Amy Taylor (Bawburgh) 80-70-76; 237 – Nicola Slater (Hickleton) 83-78-76.
For full scores and results from the Faldo Series Midlands Championship please visit www.faldoseries.info/tic/tmtic.cgi. You can also follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/faldoseries.
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
