Duncan digs deep to deliver dramatic disabled double

Surrey’s Duncan Hamilton-Martin, above, recovered from an opening hole quadruple bogey eight to win the 2011 Disabled British Open, at East Sussex National, with 35 holes of outstanding golf.

The 54-year-old independent financial advisor, from Esher, plays off a three-handicap and fought back to record a remarkable first round gross 74, two over par. And his title-clinching second round one-under-par 71 was enough to give him the championship by an impressive nine shots from second-placed Robert Paul, from Kent.

It is the second time Hamilton-Martin, a member at St George’s Hill, Weybridge, has won the title, following his success at Old Thorns, in Hampshire, in 2009. And his poor start did not prey too long on his mind, as he explained.

“My daughter got into university on the Thursday and that was such a stressful period that I said to myself ‘if I take 100, 100 at the weekend, it’s not a problem’,” he said.

“On the first I hit a pretty good drive, a bit left; I hit a good second shot at the pin but it was just a bit short and spun back into the hazard. Then I hit it a bit long and it was impossible in the long grass. I eventually hacked it out, chipped and two-putted and it was an eight – but I hadn’t played really badly.

“I thought I would just aim to break 80 and ended up two under for the rest of the first round. Nothing fazes me on the golf course. I adopted the pros’ approach: I played it one shot at a time, not getting too excited or depressed about it – it’s gone. It’s about the next shot. I also had my wife, Frances, on the bag on the final round which was very calming.

“I was emotional at the end though. I struggled to get through the speeches without a bit of a break-up. When it comes to the end and you’ve won it, it is a bit of a relief.”

Hamilton-Martin, who aims to have a crack at next year’s “able-bodied” English seniors’ title, was full of praise for both the golf course and the overall event.

He said: “It was great. The course was set up superbly; the greens were quick, but not scarily quick, which made it very playable. They still put the pins in some tasty places though… It was absolutely magnificent.

“On that course a five shot-lead with three to play is not something you feel comfortable about. I dropped 10 shots there last year – it’s a fantastic golf course and the last four holes can really get into your head.

“The Disabled British Open is a brilliant all-inclusive event. The guy who came over from America, Jason Faircloth – he has cerebral palsy, a lovely bloke – he can’t play in the championships in the USA because he’s not an amputee. How crazy is that?

“I’ve only lost a leg, below the knee; I don’t consider myself disabled – it’s only a scratch in disabled terms. But this is a brilliant all-inclusive event; everyone can play and everybody has a great time.

“I watched a bit of the junior event too – it was fantastic. That’s the future. Hopefully that will be bigger and bigger.

“I’ll certainly be back next year, if, as Henry Longhurst used to say, ‘I should be spared…’.”

The tournament is also divided into three golfing handicap categories: up to 12, in category one; 13-20 in category two; and 21 to 28 in category three, with prizes awarded to the winners of each category.

The inaugural Junior Disabled British Open, also played over two days, was won by 13-year-old Frankie Jones, from Welshpool, pictured below, who has cerebral palsy. The 28-handicapper recorded Stableford scores of 42 and 41 points for a two-round total of 83, one point ahead of his nearest rival, Kent’s Jack Holland, aged 12.

Sue Saville, managing director of Tourism South East, owner of the event, said: “It was a fantastic three days of golf and we’d like to thank Accentuate, for supporting the event; East Sussex National, for its professionalism, support and outstanding infrastructure; all our sponsors; the players; and the volunteers – who acted as caddies, marshals, ball spotters and everything else. Without all of these people this outstanding event would not be possible.

“It goes from strength to strength every year and to be able to launch the Junior Disabled British Open this year was a great thrill for everybody involved. I’m sure that when other youngsters see they have nothing to fear we will soon have a field for the junior event as large as the adult version.”

Andy Barwell, a director of event organiser the Azalea Group, added: “There aren’t many things in sport that bring a lump to the throat, but seeing 13-year-old Frankie Jones take the microphone after the presentation and deliver a thank-you speech that would not have been out of place at an Open Championship award ceremony, certainly had that effect on many of us.”

This year the DBO received support from far and wide including the UK Government – both the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Jeremy Hunt MP, and the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, praised it for its inclusivity and legacy – the sport’s governing body, the R&A, the European Tour and Wealden District Council.

And, for the second successive year, the championship received sponsorship support from IMSM, the leading ISO standard implementation consultant.

The Sky Sports-broadcast event is delivered through Tourism South East, and is part of Accentuate, a transformational programme of 15 projects, inspired by the Paralympic Movement, which seeks to change perceptions and offer opportunities to showcase the talents of deaf and disabled people. Accentuate is funded by Legacy Trust UK, creating a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK, SEEDA and the regional cultural agencies.

■ For further information, or to enquire about participating in the 2012 Disabled British Open contact championship organiser Andy Barwell on 07961 315520 or visit http://www.disabledbritishopen.org/.

■ Results: 1, Duncan Hamilton-Martin (St George’s Hill), 145; 2, Robert Paul (Westgate & Birchington) 154; =3, Alasdair Berry (Irvine Ravenspark), Jeremy Freeman (Newark & Seacroft) 155; =5, Mark Smith (Littlestone), Stefan Mörkholt (Gyttegaard, Denmark) 156; 7, Kevin Harmison (Newbiggin) 159; 8, Andy Gardiner (Banbury) 160; 9, Saleem Raza (Gujranwala, Pakistan) 161; 10, John Eakin (Royal Ashdown Forest) 162; 11, Alan Jackson (Romford) 165; =12, Nick Champness (Royal Ashdown Forest), Pieta Le Roux (Potters Bar) 170; 14, Steve Haxton (Craigie Hill) 173; 15, Tony Lloyd (Horsehay Village) 175; 16, Darren Grey (Darlington) 176; 17, Mike Lincoln (unnatt) 177; =18, Peter Light (Whitchurch), Johnny Reay (Stoneleigh Deer Park) 178; =20, Ian Dixon (Bishopswood), Anthony Forster (Long Ashton), Brendon Slavin (Seaford Head) 180; =23, Ian White (Dullator), Ben Bowen (Trethorne) 181; 25, George Hutchings (Feldon Valley) 182; 26, Mark Helm (Minchinhapton Old Course) 183; 27, Martin Jelley (Pyrford), 184; =29, Derek Rogers (Goodwood), Richard Saunders (Hintlesham) 187; =31, Xavi Rubio Alcantara (unnatt, Spain), James Jowett (Parkstone) 188; 33, Roger Hurcombe (Boars Head) 189; =34, Colin Brock (Balbirnie Park), Jason Faircloth (unnatt, USA) 190; =36, Kevin Reed (Priors Hill), Ben Whitlock (Bramshaw), Chris Foster (Great Hadham) 192; 39, Andrew Sellars (Normaton) 194; =40, Kevin Barby (Shrivenham Park), Gary Gardiner (Marriott Dalmahoy) 197; =42, Paul Cunningham (Thames Ditton & Esher), Steve Bramwell (Cochrane Castle) 199; 44, Kevin Cook (Llanwern) 201; 45, William Savage (Orchardleigh) 203; =46, Gareth Williams (Woodlake Park), Nigel Davis (Deanwood Park) 206; 48, Simon Wilcock (Cottingham Parks) 209; 49, Ian Halliwell (Standish) 212; William Hennessey (Highlands) 223.

Category 1: 1, Andy Gardiner (Banbury); 2, Duncan Hamilton-Martin (St George’s Hill); 3, Robert Paul (Westgate & Birchington). Category 2: 1, Alan Jackson (Romford); 2, Tony Lloyd (Horsehay Village); 3, Steve Haxton (Craigie Hill). Category 3: 1, David Walker (Westgate & Birchington); 2, Keith Wallace (Forest Hills); 3, Scott Richardson (Stockwood).

Junior Disabled British Open result: 1, Frankie Jones (Welshpool) 83 points; 2, Jack Holland (Prince’s) 82; 3, Ben Jones (Welshpool) 71; 4, Joseph Vanaman (Hollingwell) 70; 5, Alfie Neenan (Prince’s) 69; 6, Matthew Tyne (Ramsdale / Millfield) 68; 7, Rupert Preston (West Sussex) 65; 8, James Gallagher (unatt) 55; 9, Richard Warren (Mill Ride) 55; 10, Leo Millar (Knighton Heath) 48; 10, Jack Hibbert (Eastbourne Golfing Park) 43.

Swedish title-holder heads international field in Sussex

Stefan Mörkholt, left, with the 2009 DBO champion, Duncan Hamilton-Martin 

The recently crowned Swedish Invitational champion, Denmark’s Stefan Mörkholt, will look to make it two wins in as many weeks when he lines up in the Disabled British Open (DBO) golf championship, which begins tomorrow (Saturday) at East Sussex National Golf Resort & Spa.

Mörkholt triumphed at the renowned Bokskogen GC, near Malmö, last weekend with the 2009 DBO champion, Duncan Hamilton-Martin, finishing third. Both golfers now head to Sussex where they will be among a capacity field for the third outing of the largest and most inclusive tournament in the country for disabled golfers.

Playing off 0.7, Mörkholt will have the lowest golf handicap in a field that will include players from as far afield as the USA – as 32-year-old Jason Faircloth becomes the first US player to compete in the event – and Pakistan. Other countries to be represented include South Africa, Spain, Ireland, Germany and Austria, in addition to a strong UK contingent.

The tournament is divided into three golfing handicap categories: up to 12, in category one; 13-20 in category two; and 21 to 28 in category three. Prizes are awarded in each category with an overall champion’s title up for grabs as well.

This year the DBO has received support from far and wide including the UK Government – both the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Jeremy Hunt MP, and the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, praised it for its inclusivity and legacy – the sport’s governing body, the R&A, the European Tour and Wealden District Council.

And, for the second successive year, the championship has received sponsorship support from IMSM, the leading ISO standard implementation consultant.

The Sky Sports-broadcast event is delivered through Tourism South East, and is part of Accentuate, a transformational programme of 15 projects, inspired by the Paralympic Movement, which seeks to change perceptions and offer opportunities to showcase the talents of deaf and disabled people. Accentuate is funded by Legacy Trust UK, creating a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK, SEEDA and the regional cultural agencies.

Friday also sees the first day of the inaugural Junior Disabled British Open for young golfers – with a few places still available in the field.

As always, spectators will be afforded free entry to the event where there will also be a huge army of volunteers participating as marshals, ball-spotters, buggy drivers and caddies.

The 2011 Disabled British Open takes place at East Sussex National on August 20-21, with the Junior Disabled British Open starting a day earlier. For further information contact championship organiser Andy Barwell on 07961 315520 or visit http://www.disabledbritishopen.org/.

Defending champion in pole position after day one of Disabled British Open

Last year’s winner, Duncan Hamilton-Martin, was the joint leader after the first day of the Disabled British Open (DBO) at East Sussex National.

Three-handicapper Hamilton Martin shared the lead with Robert Paul, who plays off seven – both of whom shot an impressive first-round gross 78.

The DBO also has three handicap categories, with Martin Jelley and William West, both 12-handicappers, leading category one (handicaps 0-13.4) with nett 70s; Tony Lloyd (15) heading category two (13.4-20.4), after also shooting a nett 70; and, in the category three (>20.5) Stableford competition, Paul Cunningham (27.6) leads with 39 points.

by our man in Havana ... well East Sussex anyway

Wilson backs Disabled British Open

Competitors in the second annual Disabled British Open (DBO) golf championship, which began today at East Sussex Golf Resort & Spa, have been given a timely boost from world number 68 Oliver Wilson.

The Surrey-based professional, who finished last season ranked ninth in Europe, took time out for his preparations for the forthcoming Dunhill Links Championship to send his best wishes to all 72 disabled athletes participating in the two-day event, which has been hailed as ‘the most inclusive pan-disability event in the country’.

Wilson, currently England’s seventh-highest ranked professional, said: “I would like to wish all the athletes taking part in the Disabled British Open this week the very best of luck.

“As a resident of the south-east, it is great to see this event come back to the region for the second year running. It is truly an inspiration to me to see all 72 participants compete for this coveted title.

“I hope I am able to draw upon some that inspiration when I compete in next year’s Open Championship at Royal St George’s.”

Competitors aged between 16 and 71have travelled to Sussex from as far afield as South Africa, Pakistan, Spain, Ireland and Germany to line up against their UK contemporaries.

■ To find out more about the 2010 Disabled British Open visit http://www.disabledbritishopen.org/, or contact Andy Barwell on 07961 315520.

Disabled British Open is full

All competitors’ places in the second annual Disabled British Open (DBO) golf championship have been filled within weeks of the event’s launch.

A total of 72 disabled athletes from across the globe will take to the tees at East Sussex National GC, on September 20-21 – with the event truly living up to its claim as the ‘the most inclusive pan-disability event in the country’.

Competitors with a wide range of disabilities will fly in from South Africa, Pakistan, Spain, Ireland and Germany to line up against UK entries and their ages range from 16 to 71.

Plus, four members of the GB Special Olympics team will also be participating in the contest which will be played out over the 7,138-yard, Robert E Cupp-designed East course.

Last year’s inaugural event at Old Thorns, in Hampshire – which was broadcast on Sky Sports – was one of 15 projects delivered in the south-east through the Accentuate programme, set up as part of region’s drive to create a cultural shift in the way disabled people are perceived by celebrating excellence and showcasing talent, in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Accentuate is funded by SEEDA and Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to leave a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Games.

And Andy Barwell, from Hampshire-based organiser the Azalea Group, is delighted with the huge and swift response from disabled golfers worldwide.

He said: “To be honest I’ve been shocked by the interest from abroad. We knew the event proved popular here in the UK and the coverage on Sky Sports helped get the message out further. But we were receiving enquiries almost daily from potential overseas competitors.

“I think we could organise a completely continental field were it not for the prohibitive costs of air fares these days. We will have three women participating this year – which is an increase of 200 per cent on the 2009 event. And we have considerably more single-figure golfers – so the competition at the top end will be very stiff.

“We’re delighted with the reaction and believe the event will grow exponentially from this solid start of the past two years.”

His pleasure at seeing the field fill up was echoed by Esther Appleyard, Accentuate’s joint programme director. She said: “It is testament to the quality of the event that so many people have entered so quickly. The DBO is a fantastic way of approaching disabled golf while celebrating the talents of our disabled sports people.

“Anybody who witnessed last year’s competition could not fail to have been impressed by the high skill levels. It was a high-quality event in every way and I hope the competitors enjoy the competition at East Sussex National as much as they did last year’s inaugural championship.”

Meanwhile, Barwell is also receiving numerous enquiries from people offering to volunteer as marshals, ball-spotters, buggy drivers and caddies.

A free, four-day, spectator safety level two NVQ course – a qualification in crowd marshalling and stewarding – is on offer to volunteers, courtesy of Telford College of Arts and Technology.

And Barwell added: “Many of those who volunteered at last year’s DBO in Hampshire, have already intimated they would like to come back to East Sussex National and help out again.

“A lot of people recognised how the event contributes hugely to the progress of disability golf and are incredibly keen to help. This year’s DBO is a slightly larger event and we will need even more volunteers to help in crucial roles.”

■ To join the band of volunteers or to find out more about the 2010 Disabled British Open visit www.disabledbritishopen.org, or contact Andy Barwell on 07961 315520 or at andy@theazaleagroup.com.

Catch it while you can

It's Wednesday; it's 5pm ... and while Crackerjack may be just a distant memory, there's something much better on Sky Sports Extra tonight.

The hour-long 2009 Disabled British Open (DBO) highlights programme is being aired tonight on Sky Sports Extra (channel 404), from 5pm.

The DBO was an event organised wholly by Azalea and we are immensely proud of our colleagues who were involved with it.

Here is a link to the DBO website, but if you don't want to know the score, look away now... LINK

BUNKY