Epsom Golf Club’s Assistant PGA Professional David Bright shot the lights out – literally – in the second Topgolf Pairs Pro-Am to claim the title with 373 points. Handed his winner’s cheque for £450 by Ryder Cup player and European Tour winner Oliver Wilson, Bright’s accuracy at the Addlestone-based venue edged Jack Quilligan (World of Golf) into second spot with 2014’s winner Stuart Boyle (Wentworth) third.
Supported by Callaway Golf, there was an impressive prize table for the amateurs in the team event, won by Dave Botley and James Edwards, with James taking home a custom fit Callaway XR Driver and the chance to star in one of Callaway’s advertisements shown during Sky Sport’s golf coverage. To make the event even more special, afterwards there was a packed out Q&A hosted by broadcaster Rob Lee with Ryder Cup and European Tour winner Oliver Wilson, who also played on the night, with all the budding stars of the future keen to hear what he had to say.
Wilson commented, “Topgolf is a great concept that bridges the gap between casual and serious golfers whilst challenging them all. The Pro-Am was a fantastic success, improved by having lots of juniors taking part too. “
Bright admitted he had no idea what to expect from his first visit to Topgolf, but he and his amateur partner Tom Hanley off five handicap were soon scoring the points they needed. Each time a ball hits one of the targets, the score is automatically registered on a board in the teams’ bays, and with each player hitting 20 balls per format, the premium is on distance control and accuracy.
The opening game, TopPressure, required players to hit a ball into each of nine two metre wide segments 50 yards away. Once that had been achieved, the same target had to be hit from 10 yards for double points, but with the added pressure of losing those points if you hit a ball into the same segment twice.
The second game, TopBreak, is like snooker – hit a red segment at 20 yards and then go for the 15 metre wide colour segments at varying distances. After hitting a red, Bright chose to go for the pinks at 190 yards with his four iron, saying, “I played Celtic Manor on Epsom’s new GC2 distance measurement the evening before and my four iron was ideal for 190, so the higher scoring pink targets was an easy choice!”
The last game, TopGolf, allowed any target to be selected for whatever points could be scored. Bright commented, “There was a buzz about the whole evening, playing in front of your group, having drinks and food served you by the bay hostess, music playing – what’s not to like?! The event itself was packed out, with the top tier taken up by the 36 teams. It takes experienced players out of their comfort zone and it’s what golf needs – something completely different both for experienced players and beginners.”
PGA Head Professional and Topgolf manager Jamie Savory commented, “The popularity of this event, run in the evening so no-one loses a day teaching or working, proves how much everyone enjoyed themselves. The event’s continuing success, plus a bigger prize fund and attracting European Tour players to play too, shows it’s a great step forward for golf.”