Inaugural Disabled Open reaches climax at Old Thorns
Duncan Hamilton-Martin from St George’s Hill was the winner of the inaugural Disabled British Open at Old Thorns Manor Hotel, in Hampshire.
Three-handicapper Hamilton-Martin, 52, lost his left leg at an early age but it didn’t stop him from carding a hugely impressive two-round total of 161 (78/83) to take the overall title by four shots.The independent financial advisor from Esher in Surrey said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won. I’ve played in a lot of amputee events down the years but this was a truly ground-breaking tournament, just fantastic."
“I’d like to enter next year’s competition now if I may?” he smiled. “It felt like we were in final qualifying for the Open Championship what with the official starter on the first tee and all the volunteers doing ball-spotting. Having so many people there volunteering was inspired. It really made for a great experience.”
Andy Barwell, a member of the organising team The Azalea Group said: “Duncan’s performance over the two days was just one of a number of truly outstanding displays. You can't fail to be humbled by the way these extraordinary individuals overcome their disabilities to produce some exceptional golf!”
The competition was broken down into three handicap categories with a winner from each. Alisdair Berry, from Irvine in Scotland, plays off nine won the 0-9 handicap category. Eleven handicapper Andrew McDonald, from Euxton in Lancashire won the 9-18, while 19 handicapper Richard Saunders, from Manningtree in Essex won the 18+ category.
Barwell added: “We had competitors, with varying levels of disability, travel to Hampshire from right across the British Isles and beyond. Their reaction to the event has been positive and we are delighted the winners have come from far and wide.”
Nadine Hughes, Special Olympics Great Britain’s (SOGB) manager of special projects said: “I think I can speak on behalf of the majority of competitors when I say it was the most professional and smoothly run event in which they had ever competed.
“They were in awe and full of beans enjoying the opportunity of playing on such a fabulous course. Every element had clearly been emulated in order to replicate the conditions experienced when playing an event on tour."
One of the SOGB competitors, David Mitchell commented on the quality of the event saying "I bet even Tiger Woods doesn’t get treated as well as we have!”
The winners were awarded their prizes by BBC TV’s 'Voice of golf' Peter Alliss, the president of Old Thorns Manor Hotel.
Added on: 27/08/09. Views: 562
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