Duo to visit The Belfry in front of Sky cameras
Two Midland golfers have qualified for a spot at The Belfry course in a national competition’s inaugural event.
Paul Stokes, a member of Oxley Park Golf Club, and South Staffs GC member Shaun Mason, from Brownhills, claimed the wins as the debut short-game American Golf Par Three Championship was halved to a morning and afternoon event due to high demand.
And the duo will now pack their clubs for Sutton Coldfield’s Ryder Cup green where they will battle it out to be named the best par three golfer in the United Kingdom on September 7 and 8.
Their skills will be tested in front of the nation with the Sky Sports cameras present.
Stokes showed exemplary short-game ability as he took the morning’s 10am shotgun start with a score of 40 points in the Stableford competition.
But with the standard at a high the 11-handicapper’s victory was only sealed after a count-back tallied his total as one point more than rival Guy Robertson, from Forest Hills Golf Club, on the back nine.
He said: “I’m on cloud nine. I’m very grateful for American Golf for putting on the event and can’t wait for the final at The Belfry in September.”
Mason totalled 41 points in the 2pm start, edging Malkins Bank player Ben Williams by one point.
Around 70 golfers took part in the event, who selected the venue as Wolverhampton club 3 Hammers due to its ideal par three 18-hole course.
Both male and female golfers of any age from all over the Midlands travelled to compete, with local competition put forward by members of 3 Hammers, The Chase and Penn clubs.
3 Hammers owner Ian Bonser described the turnout as phenomenal and praised the competition for injecting life into the sport.
“The turnout today has been phenomenal with players travelling from all across the country to play in the tournament,” said Bonser.
“What’s been really great is to see first-hand how the industry can pull together and inject a bit of energy back into the game.”
