European Tour professional Matthew Southgate and his dad, Ian, clinched the 2016 European Father & Son Golf Championships in dramatic style after a three-way play-off in Spain.
Matthew, currently lying 48th in the European Tour Race to Dubai rankings, and five handicapper Ian, completed the 54 holes of competition in 13 under par after a storming six-under-par final round to catch leaders amateurs Gareth Bradley and his son Charles from Cheshire, who let a four-shot lead slip to go into a three-way tie alongside defending champions British teaching professional Gary Milliner and his German-born son, Justin.
After all halving the first play-off hole, it was back down the 18th hole for the three groups, where Matthew eventually secured the victory by holing a 15-footer from off the fringe for par in front of a cheering crowd and Sky Sports cameras.
“I cannot believe that me and my dad are European champions! What a dad, what a legend, what a day! This is such a special event and it means the world to me,” declared a tearful Matthew, who came fourth in the Irish Open on the European Tour in May and 12th in the Open Championship at Royal Troon in July. The emotional victory also comes just over a year after the 28 year old from London was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which put him out of the game for several months before he was given the all clear.
Meanwhile, the handicap category of the championships was won by defending champions, the Milliners, in 13 under par – scoring 121 points in the two-ball better-ball Stableford competition, which was also played concurrently with the scratch event over the championship courses at Costa Ballena Ocean Golf Club and Sherry Golf Jerez.
Forty-seven teams took part in the event, with golfers travelling from America, Australia, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland and the UK to contest the ninth staging, while numerous family members and friends came along to cheer on their teams.
Several youngsters played in the event, but it was Emily Jolly, a 22-handicapper from Germany, who made the history books when she became the first ever daughter to take part in the championships. Just 13 years old, Emily played alongside her grandfather, Peter, while Emily’s father Andy, a British teaching pro in Germany, teamed up with his son, Miles.
As well as giving players the chance to rub shoulders with European Tour players, the championships were run along the lines of a professional golf event, with an official announcer introducing the teams on the tee, scoreboards out on the course, referees on hand to settle any rulings issues, caddies to carry the bags, an official photographer to record the event, as well as a host of volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the tournament. To add to the atmosphere, Sky Sports was again on site to capture the action, and a highlights show will go to air shortly.
The final leaderboard for the championships can be found here. To sign up for next year’s event, go to www.fatherandsongolf.co.uk, phone 01702 680180, or email [email protected]