England’s Paul Waring and Lydia Ingman (pictured above) made home advantage count as they won their respective categories at the 5th European Deaf Golf Open Championships, played at Ganton Golf Club in Yorkshire last week.
Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club member Paul Waring, fresh from his appearance at the Deaflympics in Turkey earlier in the month, began as he meant to go on and took an early lead in the Men’s Strokeplay with a first round 75. He backed that up with further rounds of 72 and 71 to finish the 54 hole tournament on 218. That 2 over par total was enough to put him 17 shots clear of second placed David Ewen, who pipped fellow countryman Steven Cafferty by virtue of his better final round score after the Scottish pair tied on 235.
Ewen and Cafferty combined with Steven Gardiner and Scott Ritchie to take the team prize – which was awarded to the nation with the best combined score at the end of the competition.
In the Ladies Strokeplay Ingman, from Tapton Park Golf Club also led from wire to wire. Her three rounds of 85, 83 and 90 saw her finish on 258, 6 shots ahead of nearest challenger, Leonie Warringa of the Netherlands.
The week was a great success and a total of 57 deaf golfers headed to Yorkshire to do battle at Ganton – rated as one of the top 10 courses in England. Aside from some thunder, lightning and torrential rain which interrupted the practice round on Wednesday, the weather was largely kind and meant the golf course was presented in superb condition.
England Deaf Golf Chair, Rod Oaten said:
“Andy Bowen of hybridgolf, together with team of organisers such as Secretary Martin Anderson, Simeon Hart and including few others, have undergone months of preparation behind the scenes to do a faultless job to ensure the whole tournament is a success from start to finish.
“Also gratuitous thanks to a team of volunteers, ranging from registrar, drivers to ball spotters who also helped out. And not forgetting the support we received from UKDS, England Golf, Luke 1977 (Polo Shirts) and the Brentwood Embroidery for the fast embroideries on our polo shirts within space of days notice. The feedbacks from European teams were also appreciative too.
“Lastly massive gratuitous of thanks to Ganton golf club/Yorkshire County Golf Partnership who prepared their course and clubhouse to accommodate the championship to a high standard where it is to make or break our performances! It is also delightful to see a mixed bag of countries taking home the trophies too. Clearly it was a successful tournament.”
Other category winners included:
- Men’s Nett Prize – Chris Flynn (England) – 219
- Men’s Stableford – Andre Pasuram (Finland) – 95 points
- Ladies Stableford – Stephanie Heitmann (Germany) – 88 points
- Men’s Seniors Stableford – David Ewen (Scotland) – 94 points
