RICHARDSON WINS EUROPEAN GOLD
Matthew Richardson (The Buckinghamshire) a member of the
EGU Elite Squad, funded through the Sport England Lottery
Fund, won the gold medal at the International European Amateur
Championship at Skövde Golf Club in Sweden on Saturday.
Matthew, 19 years of age and the silver medallist in this
event in 2003, returned a 15 under par total of 273 (68-68-69-68)
for a one stroke victory over fellow Elite Squad member Gary
Lockerbie (Penrith GC).
Matthew’s win ended a 13 year drought without an English
victory in the event and added the European title to the English
Open Stroke Play title he won in May at West Lancashire Golf
Club. His victory will also secure him a place in the Open
Championship in 2005 at St. Andrews.
Commenting on his victory Matthew explained, “This
win is important to me, one of my goals for the year was to
play in the Eisenhower Trophy in October and this must give
me a great chance of being selected to represent England in
the World Championships.”
Lockerbie, 21, last years English Champion had to settle
for silver with rounds of 70-71-64-69 for a 14 under par total
of 274.
Elite Squad members Lee Corfield (Burnham & Berrow GC)
finished tied 5th on 279 (67-71-68-73) with Richard Walker
(Frodsham GC) 8th on 282 (70-71-70-71) to give English players
4 out of the top 8 places.
Performance Director Nigel Furniss commented, “A great
win for Matt who has worked extremely hard over the past 9
months to get to this position. He set himself some clear
goals at the beginning of the year and his dedication and
commitment to his training programme has been rewarded.
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