As they say, you can never keep a good man down - and on this occassion it was 18 good men and an Aussie!!! The NPGA show was as always determined to carry on - and on it did - down the highways and byways to again head for Wales and the 22nd edition of the Nearly Open. A field that had a record number of 6 rookies inducted into the Nearly system, 6 former champions and then the usual amount of nuffies with clubs made for another great Championship. From the very start, it was obvious that a couple of the Rookies had not been recruited just to make up the numbers but more for their golfing prowess, with Mark Foley & Ryan Adair both getting out of the blocks with solid 30's to be only 1 shot behind Stu McGregor, Paul Mc & defending Champion Mark Stevens all leading on 31. At the other end, James Milligan really lived up to his nickname of "Mulligans" with an "outstanding" 10 points and an early 2 hands on the Gentlemens trophy.
Round 2 saw Mark Foley dominate the day with 34 points to lead the field with 64, followed by Paul Mc 60, Mark Stevens 58, Stu McGregor 57 and Jon Hill & Chris Grimston both on 56. Jimmy Mulligans followed his 10 points with an "encouraging" 16 points to join past Champion?? Jon Hunter, journeyman Hugh Evans and fellow Rookie Michael Burling all in gaining the much "loved" Shirt of Shame" and were apparently told they were "lucky not to be sent home!!!
Unfortunately, the NEW housewives favourite, Chris Grimston, heeded to the calls of the Minster for Home Affairs and had to curtail his quest and leave after Round 2.
Round 3 had Stu McGregor throw out the challenge of chasing down the leader with a great 37, but Mark Foley countered with his own 37 to take a commanding 7 shot lead into the final round - with strong whispers of "he can't lose it from there" circulating around Aberdyfi quicker than a COVID positive in a Tesco checkout.... So with one day to go, Foley leads with 101, McGregor 94, McMenemy 92, Holmes 87, Stevens 85, Adair 84, Hill & Frampton 82, Taylor 81, Bullman 80, Langham & Fender 77, Hunt 76 & Gore 69 (lucky for some!!) In the Maurice Flitcroft, Milligan has regained some resemblence of form had fired a 26, following by Hunter 23, Burling & Evans with 21. The Gentlemens looks to be Mulligans to lose but the lone Aussie Micheal Burling despite the great performances of the boxing Kangaroon in the Olympic arena, the Nearly arena is not so good and only "trails' Jimmy by a mere 6 points. It may be Hari Kari and not sushi on the menu for these guys....
Round 4 saw the field up for an early 9.00am start and onto the course for a coolish start...but the hot form of Mark Foley prevailed with a comfortable 6 shot win over Paul McMenemy with Stuart McGregor a further shot behind. Mark also scooped up the prize of King O' The Heath with Stuart McGregor taking out the King O' The Links & The Memorial. Jon Hunter ran out the winner of the Maurice Flitcroft and James Milligan The Gentlemens.
Thanks to all that assisted witht the running of the Championship but a big Thanks goes to Jon Hunter for the many hours put in the make this happen. There is only one Jonny Hunter.....
The Nearly world awaits for the decision on where and when the 23rd Nearly Open will be played..
