European Nations Championship falls to impressive hosts
FORMAT: 72-hole stroke play individual and team competition
England lost hold of their European Nations Championship crown as hosts Spain dominated the illustrious team competition at Sotogrande.
Covid restrictions meant the event was played for the first time in three years and the Spanish quartet rose to the occasion, winning by 21 shots from Germany yesterday with England a further shot behind in third.
Conditions were tough at the Andalusia venue but the Spanish pair of Luis Masaveu and the highly-rated teenager Jaime Montojo Fernandez led from the front. The duo filled the top two individual places and were the only players in the field not over par.
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In fifth was the ever-reliable Sam Bairstow (Hallowes), who overcame the shock of a quintuple bogey nine on the second day to finish six over par.
Wales finished ninth out of 18 with James Ashfield (Delamere Forest) their leading performer. The Cheshire champion was seventh out of 79 on +10.
In the women’s event the Welsh trio of Gracie Mayo (Newport GC), Darcey Harry (Royal Porthcawl), Harriet Lockley (Burnham & Berrow) put their country in contention at halfway. They were just three behind eventual winners Germany after 36 holes but couldn’t quite keep pace with the champions and eventually finished fourth, nine back of the title winners.