What an amazing last couple of weeks I have had
So it all started on June 18th when I arrived at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club to take part in the Macmillan 72 hole long day challenge
I’m delighted to inform you all that after starting at 5:40am and finishing around 7:20pm – Steve, and myself did complete all 72 holes in one day!!
Huge thank you to also Jan, Sarah and Becky for also playing and keeping us company throughout the day – and also thank you to everyone who came out to watch us play and cheer us on
June 26th and off to Remedy Oak Golf Club for first stage of Open qualifying – always a great event but very tough, 100 pros and amateurs with scratch or better handicaps battling it out for just 7 spots
I was off in group 13!! unlucky for some, but not for me as I knocked it round to -1 one under 71 which at the time put me in second place
I then had to wait all day as the other groups rolled in to see if my score was good enough to qualify
Throughout the day my score was matched, but only bettered by 4 other players, and as the last but one group came in another -1 score was recorded
We now had 5 guys on -1 with only 3 spots left – PLAY OFF!!
I didn’t feel nervous I was more determined to go out and qualify after just missing by a shot a couple of years ago.
After my tee shot found the fairway I put my iron into about 8ft I knew I was through!!
It was so exciting to hole the putt in front of all the spectators that had come out to watch, and now I couldn’t wait for the next stage.
No time to rest as final qualifying was a week later July 4th and I had drawn The Notts Golf Club Hollinwell
What a day, fantastic course and felt like I was playing in a mini Open.
Even tougher this time as now we had 72 players going for just 3 spots! and now I was up against European and Challenge Tour players.
Probably one of my biggest highlights so far as a pro being part of final qualifying – you’re thinking to yourself this is difficult 72 players for 3 spots – BUT then you stop and think – Im 36 holes or one days golf away from teeing it up in the biggest majors in the world!!
It was a long tough day but I enjoyed every minute of it, unfortunately I didn’t get through this time, but plenty more years in me to try again š
I said goodbye to my mum, dad and GrahamĀ (my caddy) after the final holeĀ as they left to travel home, but not me as I was now heading further north to play in EuroPro at Longhirst Hall
And to top off one of my best weeks, I shoot a -1 day one, followed by a level par day two to make the cut!
On day three I shot a +4 76 to leave me in a tie for around 40th place and a nice little pay cheque.
Thank you all as always for your messages and support, especially over the last couple of weeks its been amazing
Very well done Matt! You have carded some brilliant results over the last several weeks. Thanks so much for your company and awesome contribution to the TeamMacMasters Longest Day Golf Challenge. Long hot day, and great to have you with us. You are an outstanding Macmillan Golf Ambassador for Wiltshire, thank you. See you soon and good luck out there! Steve Goodrick, Macmillan Fundraising Manager Wiltshire.