Tuesday 21st May 2024
Chesterfield’s Eva Myers and Tournament Golf College’s Elliot Thomas won their respective age categories in the 3rd Faldo Elite Tour event of the season and further improved their rankings within the Order of Merit.
After a difficult few months of rain across the country, the Elite Tour returned after a 4 month break in Derbyshire at the stunning Kedleston Park. Set in 155 acres of mature Derbyshire parkland, Kedleston Park was constructed in the late 1940s by renowned course architects Colt, Alison and Morrison to a design originally penned by the legendary five-time Open champion, James Braid.
With perfect conditions on round one, it was the girls who took advantage of the course, with Hannah Ounap leading the way after an opening 75. With the sun disappearing for round two, it was Thomas’ superb 69 that springboarded himself to the top of the leaderboard. Meanwhile Myers’ was playing it steady and came in with a 74 to clinch the leading girls spot.
Thomas won the boys division with scores of 78 and 69 (+3) whilst Myers won the girls division with scores of 76 and 74 (+6).
After his round, Thomas said, ‘I took a new approach to this week to not have a practice round, which I learnt at the Brabazon qualifier. Unfortunately yesterday wasn’t quite how I would have like to have played as I didn’t make the most of the conditions – the course was set up perfectly for a good round. I knew today was going to be tight so an evening to refocus and plot my way around the course paid off as I played much better to get the win.’ Thomas is a member of the Tournament Golf College and began his season in Portugal whilst he was studying with the college at their base in Amendoeira.
The Faldo Series would like to express a special thank you to Robert Simpson and all the staff at Kedleston Park who were incredibly helpful throughout the duration of the event and presented an exceptional golf course.
Our next Faldo Elite Tour event will take place at The Astbury on the 5th of August.
