ENGLAND WIN SHERRY CUP
England won the European Nations Championship (Sherry Cup)
in Spain on Saturday with an excellent performance, defeating
teams from 15 other European Nations.
The team of Richard Finch, Zane Scotland, Richard Walker
and Gary Wolstenholme, all members of the English Golf Union
World Class Performance Programme Elite Squad, were convincing
winners 11 shots clear of 2nd place home nation Spain.
The event played at Sotogrande Golf Club is played over 72
holes with the best three scores each day to count from the
team of four.
After 54 holes the Spaniards looked clear favourites with
a 25 under par total of 623, 7 strokes ahead of England on
630. Spaniard, Pablo Martin Benavides also looked favourite
to take the individual title after rounds of 67, 66 and 68
for a 15 under par total of 201, 7 shots ahead of England’s
Zane Scotland.
England however, still had ambitions to lift the title and
with strong winds blowing on a difficult final day set about
a remarkable performance.
Richard Finch 68, Richard Walker 70 and Gary Wolstenholme’s
67 gave England a final day total of 11 under par 205. Zane
Scotland’s level par 72, only beaten by four other players
in the field, was discarded.
England’s excellent 29 under par total of 835, turned
around the 7 shot overnight deficit giving them an 18 stoke
swing and 11 shot winning margin as the Spaniards collapsed
to second place with a total of 846 in the difficult conditions.
England Captain, Cecil Bloice, delighted with his teams performance
said “The boys stuck to their task, their work ethic
all week was superb and was rewarded with some excellent golf
in testing conditions. I am delighted for the whole team and
proud to be associated with such quality players”.
Gary Wolstenholme’s final round of 67 gave him a 10
under par 72 hole total of 278 to win the individual title
by one from Spaniard, Pablo Benavides who collapsed to a final
round 78. Zane Scotland was third on 280 with Richard Walker
fourth on 281 and Richard Finch thirteenth on 289.
The World Class Performance Programme now looks ahead to
the Portuguese Open being played at Vale de Lobo and the German
Amateur in Cologne where members of the Elite Squad will be
competing.
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