The Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship enjoyed another great year at Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire, as a number of the biggest names in golf and the celebrity world attended the prestigious championship.
Cornwall-based professional and friend of the British Par 3 Championship Richard O’Hanlon won the Championship in impressive style, finishing on an impressive six-under par to pip Nailcote Hall’s resident professional Mark Mouland and Challenge Tour Member Andrew Marshall to the title by one shot.
European Tour Member Oliver Fisher started the final day one shot off the pace, but a two over par closing round saw him slip back into a share of fourth place alongside his compatriot and former British Amateur Championship winner Gary Wolstenholme.
A further shot behind in seventh place on one under par was Carl Mason, the European Seniors Tour all time money list leader Carl Mason, and his fellow Englishmen Simon Wakefield and Gary Boyd, who lost out in a play-off to Peter Hanson at last week’s Czech Open.
Tournament host Tony Jacklin CBE also performed creditably, finishing on level par over the two days.
O’Hanlon, who was followed around the course by European Tour Member Robert Rock, collected his prize in the unusual but traditional form of 5,000 £1 coins in a wheelbarrow.
O’Hanlon said: “It was great to have my good friend Robert supporting me and seeing me win the championship.”
Brian Close won both the Celebrity golf days taking place either side of the Pro-Am. The Former England and Yorkshire cricketer played some impressive golf, beating other celebrities including Strictly Come Dancing’s Len Goodman, Sir Bobby Charlton, Peter Shilton OBE, Jasper Carrott OBE, William Roache MBE and snooker legend Willie Thorne.
The event raised a substantial amount for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and The Seve Ballesteros Foundation, and there were two Gala Balls both featuring charity auctions a one on one putting session with European Number One Lee Westwood.
Tony Jacklin CBE, celebrating the 40th anniversary of his US Open victory at Hazeltine, said: “Once again the event has been incredible, I would like to thank Farmfoods in supporting the event and ensuring that it succeeded and surpassed last year’s success. I am very much looking forward to next year’s event already, and the chance to build on this year’s amazing success.”
Former England and Manchester United footballer Sir Bobby Charlton echoed those sentiments, saying: “This is a great event, a superb location and I have really enjoyed myself – I will certainly try and come back next year and improve on my performance this year.
“Everyone has made me feel welcome and the event has attracted a large number of spectators, which is very pleasing.”
