Midland Golf Union
Stephen Creed takes Midland Senior Closed Amateur Championship title.
Stephen Creed takes Midland Senior Closed Amateur Championship title.
A closing round of 70 proved to be just enough for Stephen Creed (Stratford-upon-Avon) to hold off the challenge of Steve Sansome (Birstall) and joint halfway leader Dominic Ralfs (Peterborough Milton) who both finished at 144.
With a strong breeze and the threat of heavy rain on the first day, the stage was set for a tough competition. Dominic Ralfs set the pace along side Adrian Firman (Luffenham Heath) with opening 70’s and Sleaford’s Kevin Blow just one shot back on 71. Steve Sansome (Birstall) opened with a 72, Stephen Creed held 5th place on his own with an opening 73. Richard Cole (Peterborough Milton) and Phillip Gray (Birstall) shared 6th place on 74 and a 4-way tie for 8th place was shared by Dave Willmore (Brocton Hall), Terry Bray (Sandwell Park), Ian Newlove (Wollaton Park) and Christopher Powell (Sherwood Forest) all on 75.
The second round started in slightly better conditions and by the time the overnight leaders started the course was bathed in warm sunshine.
Stephen Creed made a fast start with an opening birdie followed by another at 8th hole, but a bogie on the 4th was not ideal. This was followed by birdies on 10 and 13, with another blip on 12 and the stage was set for a tense finish. The bogie on 17 could have proved costly and when the final putt dropped for a par on the last there was a nervous wait as the early leaders in the final group approached. A playoff was on the cards until Dominic Ralfs missed his par at the last. Steve Sansome had double bogied the 15th which meant only a birdie would do on the last, but a par was recorded, and another play-off opportunity lost, leaving Stephen Creed as the outright champion.
Adrian Firman (Luffenham Heath), who shared the first-round lead with Dominic Ralfs, faded in the final 9 holes to finish fourth on 146. It was a similar story for Kevin Blow (Sleaford) finishing fifth with a 77 in the final round for a total 148. Darren Fuller (Cleethorpes) was one shot back on 149 and Ian Newlove (Wollaton Park) with a pair of 75’s held 7th place. Keith Forster (Hawkstone Park) and Terry Bray (Sandwell Park) both in the clubhouse on 151 for 8th & 9th place. Colin Nolan (Woodhall Spa) and Charles Banks (Stanton-on-the-Wolds) ended in 10th and 11th place respectively on 152.
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