X-Factor star returns to Nailcote Hall

We are delighted to have Andy Abraham, star of X-Factor, back to Nailcote Hall for our ‘Black Tie’ charity party on 19th November 2011. This spectacular event promises to be a wonderful night out and all in support of a great cause - Children In Need.

Children in Need

Children in Need provide grants to projects in the UK which focus on children and young people who are disadvantaged. They support small and large organisations which empower children and extend their life choices in all corners of the UK. A great cause which I'm sure we can all get behind.

Andy Abraham

In 2005 Andy came 2nd in the biggest light entertainment show on TV; X Factor in which he wowed the judging panel and audiences across the nation with this soulful voice and winning personality.

Since then, Andy’s career has gone from strength to strength as he continues to amaze audiences with this dazzling stage presence. In 2009, Andy embarked on a sell out 54 date UK tour as well as performing at a number of prestigious events. These included performing at the Muhammad Ali Charity event, Nelson Mandela Charity evening and joined Beverly Knight on stage at England’s football star Theo Walcott’s 21st birthday party.

With raw talent, a captivating personality and stage presence to enthral and mesmerise; it’s no wonder Andy has gone on to become a true star and one of the UK’s most successful soul singers. Andy was recently a big hit when he performed during the evening celebrations at the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship here at Nailcote Hall.

This is definitely a night not to be missed and a chance to support a very worthwhile cause. Why not book your place now!

More changes for the Par 3 Championship course

Despite being recognised as the best short course in the UK, Nailcote Hall has started work on a number of changes which will make the host venue of the Farmfoods’ British Par 3 Championship even more challenging in 2012.

In fact only the 6th and 9th holes will escape the attention of Nailcote’s owner and course designer, Rick Cressman who commented, “It was a great championship this year and more and more golfers, societies and corporate users are coming to play the course, so I want to be sure that the course is as challenging and entertaining to play as possible”.

The longest hole, the 7th has just had the green extended by about 6 yars, allowing an additional but very tricky pin position.

To attack it, players will have to flight their shot over 125 yards of water and the large, “St Andrews” style bunker if they are brave enough to attack the flag.

The 8th hole is actually having the green enlarged which Rick thinks will make it a little fairer, but again it also provides for an extra pin position alongside water and bunker protection which will be hard to attack without taking some extra risk.

Behind the 5th green, new mounding has been put in place which gives the hole and setting of the green a more enclosed look and means, “the bunkers at the back of the green will be more visible and styled like the bunkers at the back of Augusta’s famous 12th !

A new bunker and shaping to the back of the 4th green is just about to start and extra sprinkler heads are being placed on the 4th, 5th and 8th to give a more consistent quality of surface in dry conditions.

But the big project which will transform a large part of the course and have a major visual impact when players visit Nailcote, is the development of a new water feature in front of both the 2nd and 3rd holes.

This will result in the existing two front bunkers on the 3rd being removed and the water will come to within 2/3 yards of the edge of the green. “From 125 yards, I don’t think this will be the second easiest hole on the course any more” ! said Rick. “But it will look absolutely stunning from the tee and great for spectators to view at the Farmfoods’ British Par 3 Championship which is set for August 7th-0th next year. I can’t wait to see the Pro’s reactions.”

The course will be open throughout the winter so players can enjoy the course and see what is happening too.

Sunshine and stars brings record crowds to Nailcote Hall

The sun shone and the crowds came in record numbers to enjoy the top golfers and celebrities competing in this year’s Farmfoods’ British Par 3 Championship.

The event was hosted again by Ryder Cup captain and double major champion, Tony Jacklin CBE who flew in from Florida with his great friend, Larry Laoretti, 1992 US Senior Open champion and the event’s first ever USA competitor.

Armed with his trademark cigar, as well as his clubs, Larry charmed all the spectators with his sense of fun and style. The first American amateur team to play also joined in all the fun for the four days play – the Brandenburg team led by Lee Brandenburg from California was ably assisted by Doug Breen and Frank Christian from Augusta who along with his father has photographed every Masters since it started in 1934 – a year after the first Par 3 Short Course Championship !

Past Ryder Cup and current Senior Tour player, Gordon J Brand won the Celebrity/Pro title on the first day while the very colourful Ian Halliwell’s team “The Social Golfer” assisted by Grand National winner, Bob Champion won the team event.

The Black Tie Gala dinner which followed saw Tony Jacklin singing after swinging! And Laura White – X Factor finalist and the evergreen Barron Knights with Pete Langford entertained the 250 guests with a terrific Rock ‘n’ Roll show.

After the first days warm up the serious business of the 36 hole PRO-AM started on Wednesday morning – at 7.20 a.m! And right from the start the youngest competitor 10 year old Harry Fearn made quite an impression, birdieing the first hole by chipping in from the bunker to the delight of his professional partner – 2006 Par 3 champion- Shaun P Webster.

Without a doubt the array of professionals joining the Championship was the best the event has ever seen with past Ryder Cup stars Maurice Bembridge, Tommy Horton, Malcolm Gregson and Gordon J Brand, being well supported by European Senior Tour players Carl Mason, Mark Mouland, Gary Wolstenholme, Tony Johnstone Andrew Sherborne and Dennis Durnian in their hunt for the title.

With a record £15,000 going to the winner and £5,000 to the over 60’s Super Senior winner, competition was sure to be fierce. Younger stars from the European Tour who were chasing the big prize included Graeme Storm, Gary Boyd, Scott Jamieson, Paul Broadhurst, Danny Willett, Simon Wakefield, David Dixon and Seve Benson.

At the end of the first day’s play, the clubhouse lead was held jointly by No 1 European Tour Senior star, Carl Mason and current European Tour player, David Dixon at 3 under par – a very good score in the tricky breezy conditions.

Another bright day brought the crowds out in force to see the conclusion of the main championship. Jasper Carrott who was playing with Paul Broadhurst and Peter Schmeichel who was paired with 2010 champion, Richard O’Hanlon were hoping their partners could make strong moves up the leaderboard but they both had to cope with finishing 14^th.

But a couple of players were playing well and one in particular Andrew Sherborne was charging up the leaderboard. Starting at 1 over par he reached 5 under par with two holes to play. Then successive bogeys dropped him back to finish at 3 under par – but with the lead in the clubhouse. Carl Mason and David Dixon had been slipping back during their rounds but Simon Wakefield and Seve Benson were pushing the new leader. Simon birdied the 35^th hole to get to 2 under par and needed a birdie at the last to force a play-off !

But, under pressure his tee shot failed to find the green and a bogey 4 saw him finish at 1 under par for 2^nd place, behind the champion – Andrew Sherborne. Seve Benson finished on level par for 3^rd place – a very creditable effort on his first visit to Nailcote.

Seve enjoyed a consolation success in winning the Better Ball Pairs title and the Halliwell Cup with partner, Jason Preston. The runners up were Shaun Webster and his 10 year old partner, Harry Fearn !

After all the excitement of the main event, it was back to another Celebrity/Am team day on the final day with more celebrity players joining in, including Bobby Davro, Anton du Beke, James Jordan, Ron Atkinson, Willie Thorne, Bill Roache and Alan McInally.

A great day finished with Bobby Davro’s Britvic team in the runners up place and just pipped by the Dowding & Mills’ team with celebrity Dougie Brown to the last title of the week. Shaun P Webster won the individual celebrity prize.

Evening celebrations included Nailcote’s owner Rick Cressman being presented with a very special 60^th Birthday cake designed top look like the 9^th hole, by his wife Sue. Partying went on until the early hours with entertainment by Bobby Davro, X Factor runner up Andy Abraham and a James Brown Soul & Funk Party tribute.

All in all a great week helped by some lovely weather and the generosity of everyone involved raised £24,000 for the Rainbow’s Hospice. Now the plans start for next year when the Farmfoods’ British Par 3 Championship will return to Nailcote Hall from the 7^th – 10^th August. Tony Jacklin confirmed he will be back again and reminded everyone at the final dinner that the “short game” is the part of golf that really matters !

Wedding Fayre Sunday 23rd October

Perfect Brides are holding a Wedding Fayre at Nailcote Hall Hotel on Sunday 23rd October 2011 11am - 4pm

Free Entry

Prize Draw

For further information please contact: info@perfectbrides.co.uk

07912 435570

Mouland makes his mark with Belas win

Nailcote Hall pro Mark Mouland claimed his maiden European Senior Tour victory and his first win in 23 years after he came from four shots behind to snatch the Belas Clube de Campo Senior Open de Portugal title with a four under par closing round of 68.

The Welshman's steady finish, after following up his opening round of 70 with a 69, was enough to seal a one shot vistory on nine under par after as many as five potential winners fell by the wayside in the challenging final stretch at Belas Clube de Campo, outside Lisbon.

In a thrilling finale, Gordon Brand Jnr, Jerry Bruner, Doug Johnson and Gary Woolstenholme shared the lead as the final groups reached the turn.

But they all struggled on the closing holes as every one of them suffered at least a double bogey on the back nine, with Bruner double bogeying the 14th, Woolstenholme dropping two shots on the 17th, Johnson suffering an eight on the par four 12th while Brand Jnr found the water for a triple bogey on the 18th on the way to a one over par round of 73.

Overnight leader Mike Cunning, who was four shots clear of Mouland going into the final round, also struggled to get going after a bogey on the third hole before three bogeys on the back nine contributed to a one over par final round of 73 that left him in second place.

Mouland meanwhile, was coolness personified as he came down the stretch, birdieing the 10th, 11th, 13th and 15th in a round which didn't feature a single blemish.

Indeed, the two-tie European Tour winner, whose last vistory in European golf came at the 1988 KLM Open, only had a single bogey all week as he picked up the winner's prize fund of €45,000.

"It feels great to win for the first time on the Senior Tour, it hasn't sunk in yet." said Mouland, who joined the tour after his 50th birthday last April.

"I just played really solid all week. I was really calm for some reason, I don't know why, I was just very focussed."

"Coming down the 18th I knew Gordon (Brand Jnr) was behind me and Mike (Cuning) too, so I just wanted a good solid shot in and just give myself any kind of opportunity for birdie, then post a score and just see what goes on elsewhere."

Mouland's back nine score of a four under par 32 was the best all day and he admitted that it was a tough run-in after the wind picked up for the first time all week on the final day.

"I was just safe and solid, there was a tough wind swirling around and anytime it's like that a par is a good score on any hole," continued Mouland, whose previous best finish on the Senior Tour was third place at the ISP S Handa Senior Masters presented by The Stapleford Forum in june.

"The 17th and 18th are really tough holes especially with the strong wind so I'm not surprised the other guys had trouble there."

All signs were pointing to Woolstenholme earlier in the day as he stormed to the top of the field, going five under for the day at one point thanks to birdies on the first, third, eighth, 10th, 11th and 13th, but the double bogey on the penultimate hole left him with a 70, putting paid to the six time Walker Cup player's hopes as he finished in third postition for the fourth time this year.

His playing partner Ian Woosnam also suffered the same fate when he had a five on the 144 metre par three 17th, having threatened the leaders when he went five under through 16 following several birdies before finishing tied for fourth with a 71, alongside Bruner, who carded for a round of 74.