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Volkswagen Masters 2008 – Notts

Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Paul O'Hagan
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VW Notts

Notts is yet another Golf Monthly Top 100 course which has been added onto the Volkswagen Masters Regional Final rota. With narrow, sweeping fairways and extremely difficult approach shots Notts Hollinwell is one of the toughest inland courses in the UK.

The golf club was formed in 1887 and the 18 hole layout known as Hollinwell opened in 1900. The course rises up from the clubhouse to a wonderful backdrop of bracken while heather and gorse protect the intimidating fairways. The holes are spread over an ever-changing landscape but brilliantly the course manages to maintain a heathland feel throughout.

As expected competitors in the tenth Volkswagen Masters Regional Final found the course extremely challenging and with the wind blowing it was no surprise that a Hollinwell member came out on top. Plus one handicapper Rob Sallis (pictured) produced a round of 69 gross to comfortably win group A.

“I had a plan to shoot 68 today and was four under front nine which really helped,” said Sallis. “I was pleased to see the wind blow this morning, it gave me an advantage as I know the course so well.”

Tapton Park member Ian Boler finished second with a round of nett 73 while defending UK Champion Sam Foster was third.

An excellent score of nett 71 off a handicap of 11 gave Colin Wragg a place in the UK Final. The Beeston Fields member claimed Group B by five shots after Darren James shot a nett 76 with a 10 on his card.

Group C was won by last years UK finalist Shane Smith. The 19 handicapper had been out for 3 months with an injury and had only played his return game a week before the Midlands Final.

“I only hit one fairway today but my short game was good, I had no three putts,” said Smith.

All three group winners progressed to the UK Final which will take place at Turnberry in September.