Golf: Hanson birdie blitz secures win double

Apr 16 2009 by David Lockwood, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Hanson birdie blitz secures win double

CHRIS HANSON warmed up for his tilt at the EuroPro tour by scorching round Willow Valley with an incredible seven birdies to record his second Halifax, Huddersfield Alliance win in succession.

Partnered by elder brother Richard, who plays off a handicap of five, Chris put together a super round, coming in on 15 holes to seal a one-point victory over Bradley Park assistant pro Chris Foster and his partner Oliver Barstow.

“I’m pleased with the way I’m playing at the moment,” said the 23-year-old Hanson, who begins his quest on the EuroPro Tour at Northampton’s Collingtree Park, in early May.

“Of the seven birdies, six of them were virtually tap-ins, after chipping to within three feet,” added Hanson as he and his brother carded 43 points, one fewer than he totalled in the previous Alliance win at Meltham last month.

Consolation for second-placed Foster came when he notched his first-ever hole-in-one, when he holed his eight-iron tee-shot at the 131-yard sixth, which helped him take the runners-up spot, one ahead of host pairing Peter Young and George Branch.

One professional who didn’t figure in the points, but deserves special mention, was Meltham pro Paul Davies, who despite discovering his playing partner couldn’t get there, went out on the course and marked the card for another pairing.

Winners in the Am-Am section were Bradley Hall duo Clive McFadzean and Keith Aldridge, who scored 39 points, to win on countback in a three-way tie.

McFadzean paid tribute to his partner Aldridge, who had successive net eagles on the back nine, which helped them accrue 22 points on the inward half to beat off the challenge of Willow Valley’s Lewis Howell and Tom Brancker, who bagged second spot despite ‘blobbing’ on the 10th.

Back in third spot were another Willow Valley couple, Nigel Richardson and Chris Nutall.