LOGAN TROPHY ATTRACTS RECORD ENTRY
The EGU has received a record 425 entries for next months
English Men’s Open Mid-Amateur Championship for the
Logan Trophy, the over-35 stroke play event being staged at
Royal Birkdale Golf Club on 22-24 August. That is almost 300
more than last year, when the championship was staged at Prince's
Golf Club in Kent and with only 120 places available, all
those with handicaps of two or more have been balloted out.
Of the 67 one-handicap players, 59 gained entry with the remainder
being placed as reserves.
Francois Illouz from France and Suffolk's Stephen Crosby,
the joint holders, will defend the title over 54 holes at
the famous Merseyside course that is staging the championship
for the first time. Illouz, the multi-capped French international
and a former European Mid-Amateur champion, and Crosby, the
Gorleston publican, finished joint winners on 217, one over
par, in last year's championship at Prince's.
It was the first time for eight years that the title had
been shared, Crosby having seen a comfortable lead disappear
over the back nine until he came to the last needing a par
four for victory. But after missing the green he failed to
get up-and-down, carding a 77, and dropped back alongside
Illouz who closed with 73.
Andrew Maw from Notts - Hollinwell, who finished a shot behind,
is again in the field, as are three former champions, Stephen
East (Moortown), Charlie Banks (Stanton-on-the-Wolds) and
Robert Godley (Hillside). Godley was the champion at Southport
& Ainsdale in 1993, the last time the event was held in
Lancashire, while Banks carried off the title for three successive
years, 1995 at Seacroft, 1996 at Pannal and 1997 at Stockport.
East succeeded Banks as champion, winning in 1998 at Broadstone
and defending successfully at Little Aston in 1999. He won
again at Lindrick in 2001 but didn't defend the title last
year at Prince's. He is also a former British Mid-Amateur
champion.
The presence of these former champions underlines the high
standard of this year's field that also includes potential
winners such as ex-internationals, Roger Roper (Catterick),
Graham Homewood (Ashford Manor) and Scotland's Sandy Twynholm
(Morpeth).
Also in the line-up are two former English Senior champions
in David Lane (Goring and Streatley) and Jon Marks (Woodbridge).
Lane now 62, has been at the forefront of senior's golf for
many years, winning the seniors' title in 1997 and 1999, and
finishing runner-up in this year's event at Frilford Heath
last month. Marks was seniors' champion in 1998 and along
with Lane has been capped by England at seniors level for
the past three years.
The field of 120 is further boosted by John Kemp (John O'Gaunt),
current holder of the British Mid-Amateur Championship, who
would love to make it a double with the English crown.
Play starts at 8am on 22 August and there will be a cut after
36 holes, the leading 45 players and ties going forward to
the final 18 holes.
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