Accountancy Age Masters 2000 - Final countdown.
All eyes are now on the grand final at The Belfry following the last of the regional finals.
Both the Home Counties and Midlands regional finals played at Brocket Hall and Forest of Arden respectively, provided drama, with the winners from both contests playing off low handicaps.
The tournaments – run in association with business finance specialist NMB-Heller – proved to be happy hunting ground for Simon Marus.
He scored an impressive 41 points off his 11 handicap – the highest score of any regional final – using the seven-eighths stableford scoring system at Welwyn Garden City.
Following his victory, the modest Marus, said: ‘My round was made possible thanks to the good company of my playing partners. I managed to play solid all the way round and am now looking forward to playing The Belfry for the first time’.
Meanwhile, the Midlands final, played in ideal conditions at the Forest of Arden – home to the recent British Masters, was won by nine-handicapper Laurie Linnell with 38 points.
He fought off the opposition and dealt admirably with the fast greens and he too thanked his playing partner at the 19th hole. ‘I would like to praise the course and the hospitality we received, but most of all I would like to thank my playing partner Gordon Peters for his encouragement and not letting me drink beer at the refreshment stand.’
Big hitters at the events were Dave Darlston at Arden and Daniel Abrahams at Welwyn Garden City.
Qualifiers for The Belfry final will need to drive with similar gusto to stand a chance of winning.