24th Nearly Open - Gullane

Nearly Professional Golfers Association (NPGA)

Nearly Professional Golfers Association (NPGA)Nearly Professional Golfers Association (NPGA)Nearly Professional Golfers Association (NPGA)
  • Home
  • NPGA
    • Committee & Courses
    • Our Events & Trophies
    • NPGA Records
  • UK/Euro Tour
    • Our UK Champions
    • 26th Open - June 2025
    • 25th Open -Wrap & Trophys
    • 25th Open - June 2024
    • 24th Open -Wrap & Trophys
    • 24th Open - Sept 2023
    • 23rd Open - July 2022
    • 22nd UK Open - Jul 2021
    • 22nd Open -Wrap & Trophys
    • 21st UK Open - Aug 2020
    • 20th UK Open - Aug 2019
  • Aus/NZ Tour
    • Our Aus Champions
    • 18th Aus Open - Jan 2022
    • 17th Aus Open - Aug 2020
    • Photos
  • Hemi Cup
    • Hemi History
    • Hemi Cup #8 - Hilton Head
    • Hemi Cup # 7 - Sawgrass
    • Hemi Cup #6 - Scottsdale
  • Matchplay
  • Media
    • NPGA Videos
  • We Remember
    • Gavin Holmes
  • More
    • Home
    • NPGA
      • Committee & Courses
      • Our Events & Trophies
      • NPGA Records
    • UK/Euro Tour
      • Our UK Champions
      • 26th Open - June 2025
      • 25th Open -Wrap & Trophys
      • 25th Open - June 2024
      • 24th Open -Wrap & Trophys
      • 24th Open - Sept 2023
      • 23rd Open - July 2022
      • 22nd UK Open - Jul 2021
      • 22nd Open -Wrap & Trophys
      • 21st UK Open - Aug 2020
      • 20th UK Open - Aug 2019
    • Aus/NZ Tour
      • Our Aus Champions
      • 18th Aus Open - Jan 2022
      • 17th Aus Open - Aug 2020
      • Photos
    • Hemi Cup
      • Hemi History
      • Hemi Cup #8 - Hilton Head
      • Hemi Cup # 7 - Sawgrass
      • Hemi Cup #6 - Scottsdale
    • Matchplay
    • Media
      • NPGA Videos
    • We Remember
      • Gavin Holmes
  • Sign In
  • Create Account

  • My Account
  • Signed in as:

  • filler@godaddy.com


  • My Account
  • Sign out

Nearly Professional Golfers Association (NPGA)

Nearly Professional Golfers Association (NPGA)Nearly Professional Golfers Association (NPGA)Nearly Professional Golfers Association (NPGA)

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • NPGA
    • Committee & Courses
    • Our Events & Trophies
    • NPGA Records
  • UK/Euro Tour
    • Our UK Champions
    • 26th Open - June 2025
    • 25th Open -Wrap & Trophys
    • 25th Open - June 2024
    • 24th Open -Wrap & Trophys
    • 24th Open - Sept 2023
    • 23rd Open - July 2022
    • 22nd UK Open - Jul 2021
    • 22nd Open -Wrap & Trophys
    • 21st UK Open - Aug 2020
    • 20th UK Open - Aug 2019
  • Aus/NZ Tour
    • Our Aus Champions
    • 18th Aus Open - Jan 2022
    • 17th Aus Open - Aug 2020
    • Photos
  • Hemi Cup
    • Hemi History
    • Hemi Cup #8 - Hilton Head
    • Hemi Cup # 7 - Sawgrass
    • Hemi Cup #6 - Scottsdale
  • Matchplay
  • Media
    • NPGA Videos
  • We Remember
    • Gavin Holmes

Account


  • My Account
  • Sign out


  • Sign In
  • My Account

Gavin Holmes......

The NPGA lost one of its most likeable and memorable members with the sad passing of Sir Gavin Holmes, lovingly know as Gav, Gavla or Bling Bling...  Gavin lost his health battle at 3.20am on Tuesday 27th December 2022 after suffering a medical condition whilst on a European vacation in May 2022. 


Gavin joined the NPGA in 2006 when he entered his 1st Nearly Open at Royal Liverpool after accepting an invitation from member and good friend Ian Claisse.  In the field also at Liverpool were NPGA Founder Peter O'Toole as well as Michel Bouskila, Lachlan Corbett, Nick Waterworth, Paul McMenemy, Tom Scott, Jon Hunter, Adrian Langham, Steve Oakes, Barry Brownjohn, Hugh Evans, Tim Bullman, Russell Lees and Ray Balcomb - all who are current NPGA players and have had many a battle on the course - and many a drink off the course with Gavin over the past 16 years.  Gavin then competed in a further 15 UK Opens,  5 Australian Opens and 6 Hemisphere Cups.  His game rose to the heights he knew it could and would in 2012 when he was crowned World No 1 after being the 1st (and still only) Nearly Australian Champion from the Northern Hemisphere after winning at Metropolitan by 6 shots and also after claiming the World Matchplay Championship in 2012, defeating Ray Balcomb at Loch Lomond.


A further golfing career highlight was Gavin captaining the Northern Hemisphere in the Hemisphere Cup at the magnificent Pebble Beach Links and also member of the victorious North Hemisphere Cup team at Pinehurst in 2014. 


Gavins last NPGA event was the sectional play of the World Matchplay at Royal West Norfolk GC, Brancaster in early May where he defeated Stuart McGregor 2 up to win the North Section.  Due to Gavins health, the honour of representing the North went to Stuart who duly did Gavin proud by claiming the World Matchplay Final and dedicating the win to Gavin. 


Gavins funeral will be held on Monday 23rd January   

RIP Gavin ....  

Gav's NPGA Record

    Gavla - as we know and love him....

    Tributes

    Show More

    Copyright © 2025 Nearly Open - All Rights Reserved.

    Powered by

    • Home
    • Committee & Courses
    • Our Events & Trophies
    • NPGA Records
    • 25th Open -Wrap & Trophys
    • 24th Open -Wrap & Trophys
    • 22nd UK Open - Jul 2021
    • 22nd Open -Wrap & Trophys
    • 18th Aus Open - Jan 2022
    • Hemi History
    • Hemi Cup #8 - Hilton Head
    • Hemi Cup # 7 - Sawgrass
    • Hemi Cup #6 - Scottsdale
    • NPGA Videos
    • Gavin Holmes

    This website uses cookies.

    We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

    Accept