Wilson Wins at Woodhall!

(Report Taken from England Golf)

With his wife of 54 years Barbara caddying, Romsey Golf Club’s Alan battled his way to 41 stableford points on the Hotchkin course as he celebrated one of his greatest ever achievements.

He revealed: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I just can’t believe it! I’ve got to hand it to my playing partners as they encouraged me all the way round. They were wonderful company and so was my wife. It’s out of this world to win it, it’s going to take a long time for me to get over this!”

Alan, who formerly worked in the aircraft industry, fired three birdies alongside seven pars to win by a single point.

It wasn’t all plain-sailing for the 17-handicapper though, who blobbed the fourth hole after it took four shots to get out of one of the Hotchkin’s 142 bunkers. However, he bounced back to birdie the fifth before scoring 21 points on the back-nine. 

He explained: “I had two kick-in birdies on the par-five 14th and 18th holes, which I’ve never done before in a round! I don’t know how I did it but I’m going to try and work it out later as I’ve got to try and repeat that!”

Alan was also quick to praise the England Senior Series as well as his playing partners, who he’d met for the first time on the day.

He continued: “I’ve played in a few of these England Senior Series Finals in the past. It is a great format and we love the events. I have always held this competition in such high regard and Glyn Roddy (England Golf Tournament Manager) and the team do a wonderful job in terms of organising the whole series. The qualifying events are something else too.

“I met two really nice people today. Steve Hardwick and Dennis Bailey were great company for my round. I hadn’t played very well coming into it but Steve birdied the first so the environment and the company really did inspire me. I just can’t believe I've won it!"

Asked how he would celebrate his win, Alan added: “I’m going to celebrate it with my family. All my grandchildren absolutely love golf so I shall be texting them! They’ve been texting me and checking the scores all day, but I’ll be having a few drinks and I’m really going to enjoy it.”

In second place on countback with 40 points was Stuart Rivett (Whiteleaf, handicap 16). The retired company director birdied the par-four 15th as well as notching eight pars, without a single blob on his card. It was also Stuart’s 21st wedding anniversary, with wife Carolyn also accompanying him around the course.

The 62-year-old said: “The turning point in my round was the sausage roll at the halfway house! I only had 17 points on the front but I shot 23 on the back! It’s been a fantastic series and there are so many good, friendly players and the organisation of the competition is second to none.”

In third place was Ian Fairclough (Ferndown, handicap 10) who birdied the second, seventh and eighth holes but a couple of blobs on the card meant he was just one back of the winner. The 58-year-old added: “The highlights of my day were a 15-foot putt for birdie on the eighth after a decent tee shot and a super up-and-down on the last. The course was in amazing condition and it’s been another fantastic event.”

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