WOLSTENHOLME GOES TOP
Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs GC) jumped to the top
of the PING/EGU Order of Merit following his victory in the
Amateur Championship at Royal Troon at the weekend. Wolstenholme,
42, moved ahead of Jon Lupton (Midlesborough GC) after defeating
Raphael De Sousa from Switzerland by 6&5 in the 36 hole
final on Saturday.
Wolstenholme, a member of England’s World Class Performance
Programme Elite Squad supported by the Sport England Lottery
Fund explained “This has been my greatest ambition for
10 years. But it’s so hard. It’s a bit like someone
saying he wants to go to the moon. And they can see the moon
every night. But getting there is the hard part.”
Wolstenholme’s victory should now see him receive invitations
to compete in the Open Championship at Royal St.Georges in
July, the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and next years Masters
at Augusta.
Following his victory in the Sherry Cup earlier in the year
this victory will have boosted his claim for a Walker Cup
spot to play against the Americans at Ganton in September.
EGU Performance Director Nigel Furniss commented “I
am delighted for Gary as I know how much this win will mean
to him. His tireless dedication to improve and meticulous
preparation will have been a major factor in his victory.”
It has been a great month for the England Elite Squad with
Jon Lupton wining the Brabazon Trophy at Hunstanton, Richard
Finch the Links Trophy at St.Andrews and the England Team
convincingly beating the Spanish at Lindrick.
Furniss highlighted “We have some of the best Amateur
golfers in the world in England at present which has been
confirmed by recent results against world class opposition”
Martin Sell (Wrag Barn GC) moves up to 5th place in the PING/EGU
Order of Merit after reaching the last 16 and Sam Osbourne
(Wentworth) up to 6th place following a narrow defeat to Eric
Ramsey (Carnoustie GC) in the last 8.
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