English Mid-Amateur: David Corben's brilliant saves net him coveted Logan Trophy
Logan Trophy winner David Corben (English Golf Union)
David Corben won the Logan Trophy presented by Virgin Wines by two shots on a thrilling final day of action at Enville Golf Club in Stourbridge -- near Birmingham, England.
Corben, who plays out of the heathland golf club at Hindhead, held his nerve on the final holes to ensure his 6-under through 54 holes was enough to hold off Craig Simmons of Shifnal G.C. and Martin Young of Brokenhurst Manor. Simmons and Young finished tied for second at 4-under.
Following the storms on Saturday, many players had to finish their second round in the early hours of Sunday to try and make the cut, most notably Luke Rogers of Kidderminster. Rogers made a stunning albatross on the first hole on Saturday afternoon after his driver and nine-iron combination found the cup on the par-5.
When the final round began at 9:30 am, Simmons came out the strongest, going 5-under through the front nine after an eagle and three birdies.
Paul McMullen (Frilford Heath) notched four birdies on the front nine, while Steve Capper (Royal Liverpool -- home of the Open Championship next week) bagged two eagles in the opening three holes, catapulting them up the leaderboard in the early stages of the day.
Simmons marched on to shoot a 6-under round, joining Young as joint clubhouse leader at 4-under overall, while Corben had dropped a shot while still on the course.
The drama unfolded on the 17th as Corben had to hit a provisional ball after seeing his drive head into the long grass while last year’s winner Stuart Archibald was just two shots behind him.
Corben found his original ball to recover a brilliant par. At the same time, Archibald’s second shot got snagged in the grass, and from there he found a bunker, effectively ending his chances of retaining his title.
Corben found sand off the tee on the final hole but composed himself to save par, while Archibald slipped into fourth place. Young finished third with Simmons second on countback, and Paul McMullen finished in fifth after his impressive day.
The 2008 Brabazon Trophy winner -- Steven Uzzell -- finished sixth as only six players of the 143 field finished under par.
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ABOUT THE English Mid-Amateur
54-hole stroke play event open to amateurs age 35
and above whose handicap does not exceed 8.4.
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