One of the greatest shots of his life set up victory in the England Golf Captains qualifier at Saunton for Gosport & Stokes Bay member Neville Hubbard.
The Devon course proved a really tough test for the majority of the 124-strong field and 35 points was sufficient for the 65-year-old (pictured above) to secure his “biggest win in golf by some margin”. Although he had to wait a long time to find out he had finished top of the pile by one from Marian Raybone (Hankley Common) and Stuart Revell (Burnham & Berrow).
The 12 handicapper finished his round with a stunning four-point birdie, made possible by a brilliant approach shot on the tough closing hole which was playing into the wind. He managed to get his hybrid to 12 feet from 182 yards and holed out.
“There was a mound in front me and I was in the light rough and it was unquestionably the best shot I have ever hit in my life with that club,” said Neville, who has played in the event before but never managed to finish in the qualifying spots.
“It was a big field and the last group were out at 3.30pm so I had to wait until I got home to find out where I had finished. When I updated the scoring I was speechless and that doesn’t happen very often.
Remaining EG Golf Captains qualifiers:
• June 24rd: High Post
• July 1st: Berkhamsted
• July 8th: Pannal
• July 22nd: Stowmarket
“I went there to have fun because Saunton is the best course I have ever played. Luckily when I lived in North Devon I was able to play it many times and it was just a pleasure to be there and play it in such great condition.
“The funny thing is I was stood on the 16th tee with 27 points thinking ‘just get to 30 points’ so to win it was amazing. I have played Saunton about 30 times and was just happy to par the first for the first time in my life.”
The 465-yard opener gave a glimpse of his highly-effective tactic of long putting wherever possible. From well off the green he gave himself an eight-foot par chance, which he claimed for three points.
He also parred the stroke index one fourth, putting from 30 yards off the green to six feet and making that to leave himself on nine points after four holes.
The former captain of High Bullen Golf and Country Club captain struggled on eight and nine but got his score back on track with pars at 10 and 11. A blob on 15 halted an excellent run of scoring before he collected two pointers on 16 and 17 and then lit up 18 with that title-winning birdie.
With a big field there were eight other qualifiying spots led by the two players on 34 points. A further seven players finished on 33 points with countback decided the other six who made it through to the final at Woodhall Spa in August.