Best win for Oliver by Farr at Burghill

The Tour arrived at Burghill Golf Club near Hereford not knowing what to expect for our first visit there. Well, what a pleasant surprise was in store for us and our players for the first of three "Super 7" enhanced Jamega Tour events.

With fairways and greens that would certainly be the equal of any found on The European Tour the players were in for a treat.

These "Super 7" Tournaments are run alongside the normal events and the qualifying players compete for an extra £3,500 in addition to the main prize fund.

In order to qualify, a member of the Tour must have played at least 2 Jamega Tour events prior to the "Super 7" Tournaments.

Former Coventry City football Professional, Liam Robinson took the lead on the first day with an almost perfect 6 under par 65 containing 7 Birdies and just one solitary bogey.

Local Hero Oliver Farr and Asian Tour member Nick Redfern slotted in behind Robinson on 5 under par with a pack of 6 chasing players just one shot behind them, which included Lee James, Paul Maddy, Ian Brown, Richard Tagg, Mark Laskey and Lee Corfield.

A total of 21 players broke par on the first day, so it was going to be difficult to predict a winner from a field containing the young and enthusiastic, the older and more experienced players and the local specialists.

With the inevitable "Jamega Rains" and stronger winds predicted for the second day it was going to be a test of skill and determination for the leaders.

Reports from the course indicated that Liam Robinson was going to run away with victory when he reached 9 under par for the tournament after 26 holes. Local Pro and member of Burghill, Ian Brown, was keeping in touch with Robinson reaching 7 under par after 29 holes.

All the other challengers seemed to be dropping shots except Mark Laskey who posted a final total of 5 under par to take the clubhouse lead.

As Laskey waited it looked as though there could be a play-off with several players tied on 5 under par out on the course and Ian Brown, who had just dropped a shot, on 6 under par with 6 holes left to play.

Then wheels came flying off in spectacular fashion with Brown crashing out of contention with a quadruple bogey on the 13th and a triple on the 16th it was time to call a "Taxi for Brown".

Overnight Leader Robinson was also limping home with an error filled back 9 containing 5 bogies. At this point Laskey in the house on 5 under was licking his chops in anticipation of at least a play-off.

Then after consecutive bogies on 11 and 12 Oliver Farr found a birdie on the 13th that steadied his ship and got him back to within one shot of Laskey. Farr followed his birdie with 3 solid pars and then found another birdie on the 17th to tie Laskey with one to play.

With an Eighteenth green ringed with his supporters and club members, Farr speared in a shot that rolled up to within a couple of feet of the cup to the rapturous applause of the large gallery.

Farr duly tapped in the putt to win his first Professional event by a single shot from the disappointed Laskey who, however had a cheque for £2,000 to soften the blow.

A delighted Oliver Farr won his first Professional event at his home club in front of his growing army of fans and banked a cheque for £4,000, what could be better way to start your career than that.

Mark Laskey had a further slice of good news when he was told he had won the £2,000 "Super 7" first prize because Oliver Farr did not qualify for the additional prize pot on offer.

Lee James also picked up the "Super 7" second place cheque for £1,000 to add to his main event cheque of £1,500 for third place.

The £500 third place "Super 7" money was split between four players who finished joint fourth on the main event, Liam Robinson, Paul Maddy, Luke Joy and Nick Redfern.

Farr thanked his family and the Burghill members, who by the way have recently formed the Rolf Harris appreciation society, for their support and had a special mention for his dad, Graham, who has caddied for K. J. Choi in the past, thanking him for his help in adjusting to the professional game.

Burghill has the most fantasticly conditioned greens and fairways which you seldom see outside of a main tour event and this is due entirely to Head Green Keeper Steve and his team who have done a fabulous job for us and the Burghill members.

The members, well what can you say? Enthusiastic, ebullient, friendly, and helpful these all spring to mind but most of all they welcomed us with open arms. The hospitality we received from the clubhouse staff who kept us fed and watered, was wonderful and we would without hesitation recommend it to all golfers looking for a great experience.

The next "Super 7" event is at Essendon Golf and CC on the 23rd of July, so if you want a slice of the Extra £3,500 on offer make sure you qualify by playing at least 2 events prior to it.

Our next tournament at The Warwickshire is already getting busy so get your paid entry in as soon as possible or you may have to go on the reserve list!