There was an eventful and ultimately very successful debut in the England Golf Senior Series qualifying event at Berkhamsted yesterday for Kenilworth’s Nick Coleman.
The 55-year-old was only playing at the Hertfordshire venue thanks to his wife and fellow entrant Beverley, who sorted out the trip.
In fact Nick didn’t even realise it was an England Golf competition and that there were qualifying places up for grabs as he steered his way around in excellent fashion to garner 39 points and first place.
“My wife and I play in a lot of Opens because it is a great way to meet new people and play different courses,” said the nine handicapper.
“But I had no idea that this was even a proper competition and I didn’t know about the qualifying process. I just wish my partners hadn’t told me on the 14th hole about the top eight reaching the final.
“I just went for a good day out so to win it was amazing. I’ve never won anything remotely as big as this before.”
Berkhamsted famously has no bunkers but it’s numerous blind shots and humps and hollows caused many in the 124-strong field plenty of problems.
Remaining Seniors qualifiers:
• July 7th: Pannal
• July 21st: Stowmarket
And Nick, starting on the 10th, managed to loft his 15-yard chip over one of those mounds and into the hole for an opening birdie. He had further three pointers at his third and sixth on his way to a front nine of 19 points.
Then on his 12th (the stroke index two 3rd), he holed a 20-foot putt for a superb four. Further pars on his 14th and 17th maintained the momentum and then he got a bit of luck on his closing hole.
Nick added: “It was my worst drive of the day. I pulled it left and thankfully players walking down the other fairway saw it land and pointed it out to me.”
He managed to scramble his way to a bogey and one point, which was the gap between himself and second placed Andy Sutton (Brent Valley).
With the top eight reaching the final at Woodhall Spa in August (12-13th), 35 points was enough to make it through.