Hull survives scare to complete Seniors Championship hat-trick

Seniors Championship - Wednesday Sep 4

Andy Hull walked off the 18th green on Wednesday fearing he had thrown away the chance of winning three consecutive HHGC Seniors Championships.

But his closest rivals failed to take advantage, allowing Andy to breathe a sigh of relief as he shot a 9-over-par 80 and sealed a one-shot victory over Keith Banham. Third place went to Mike Shaw, whose excellent 82, off a handicap of 15.9, also won him the Ken Barker Trophy for the best nett score. Fifty-eight players took part in the event.

Andy, leading out the first group with the lowest handicap of 4.6, began the day as the clear favourite to add to his 2022 and 2023 wins and, one over after a birdie at the 8th, looked perfectly placed to do just that.

"I was going pretty well and then suddenly I wasn't!" said Andy, who also birdied the 12th. "I found the greens in particular a bit tricky. Golfers, of course, always feel they leave a few shots out on the course. Well, today I left a lot out there! But of course I'm very pleased with the win.

"When I finished I thought I might lose out to a 78 or 79, but fortunately my score was just good enough to sneak it."

Keith's great start"¦

Seniors vice-captain Keith, playing one group back off a 10.5 handicap, opened his round with a birdie and spectacularly matched Andy with a two-over-par 37 on the way out.

Despite also struggling on the back nine, he reached the 18th one shot in front and needing a closing par for the title.

"But I hit my tee shot up against a tree, had to chip out and then followed that with a dreaded 3-putt for a double bogey," he said. "So close yet so far"¦ it's the old adage, "˜you have to play all 18 holes'. But yes, I was cheesed off!"

"¦and Mike's eventful finish!

What Keith would have given for Mike's finish!

Mike played a provisional on 18 after sending his tee shot right. Having found his original ball, his approach seemed to be heading towards the car park, necessitating another provisional. 

Again, though, he found his ball - it had caught the left edge of the front bunker - and Mike then got up and down impressively for the most eventful of pars.

His net score of 68, built around a fine tee shot and 12ft putt for birdie on the 10th, another birdie on 14 and a 4-over-par back 9, was enough to beat Clive Driver on countback, with Les Andrews third on 70.

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