An amateur duo from Essex has won the national senior pairs title at the grand final of the Morocco Matchplay, powered by HowDidiDo.
Steve Adkins and Robert Turner, clubmates at Stock Brook Manor Golf Club in Billericay, played five rounds of match play in Morocco to secure the title, winning three and halving the other two.
The trip to the grand final was reward for their efforts in battling through local rounds and a regional final during 2014, in a competition open to any golfer who is a member of an affiliated club with an officially recognised handicap. They were just two of 30 golfers from across the UK who qualified for the grand final, which featured four competitions: singles, pairs, mixed pairs and senior pairs, for those aged 50 or more.
A delighted Adkins, who plays off two, said: “It’s been a fantastic week. To go out at this time of year to play golf in this weather, on such great courses, has been tremendous. We improved as the week went on and our final round, on the Red Course, was our best. The weather has been fantastic, and everyone has been so hospitable.”
Turner, who has a five handicap, added: “With an entry fee of £25, it’s certainly been money well spent. And we’ll be back this year trying to retain the title.”
All the finalists were treated to free return flights to Morocco; six-nights’ accommodation at the five-star L’Amphitrite Palace Hotel in Skhirat; and five rounds at a combination of Royal Golf Dar Essalam and the Tony Jacklin Casablanca.