GOLD CROSS TOP 10 FINISHERS AT ROYAL ST DAVID'S, HARLECH
Walker Cup team candiate Oliver Farr, currently assembled with the GB and I practice squad at Royal Aberdeen, won the big 72-hole event in Wales at the weekend, the Gold Cross at Royal St David's GC, Harlech.
TOP TEN TOTALS
Par 276 (4x69)
1 Oliver Farr (Ludlow) 71 69 79 73 292 +162 Richard Hooper (Neath) 71 74 74 74 293 +17
3 Kristian Taylor (Formby) 75 70 71 77 293 +17
4 Rhys Pugh (Vale of Glamorgan) 74 75 71 76 296 +20
5 Alastair Jones (Radyr) 70 75 72 79 296 +20
6 Jason Shufflebotham (Prestatyn) 71 74 79 73 297 +21
7 Luke Jackson (Misterton) 76 71 75 75 297 +21
8 Gareth Phillips (Creigiau) 74 78 71 75 298 +22
9 Geraint Jones Royal St David's 75 74 72 78 299 +23
10 David Boote (Walton Heath) 74 74 75 77 300 +24
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FORMER GOLD CROSS WINNER ZACH GOULD?
WHEN McILROY WAS NOT AS GOOD AS GOULD
FROM THE WALES ON LINE WEBSITE
SEVEN years ago he was destined to tread the same fairways as acclaimed US Open champion Rory McIlroy.
And, as the world watched open mouthed as the young man from Holywood near Belfast swept to a first Major by eight shots at Congressional Golf Club, Cardiff
Because seven short years ago the golfing shoe was firmly on the other foot with the general perception with regards to the next British player to challenge the Woods domination of the professional game.
Cardiff’s Gould, picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency, only has to cast his mind back to the royal show he put on in front of Prince Andrew to win the Duke of York Young Champions’ Trophy for inspiration after taking time off from golf recently to do a sport’s science course.
After pipping McIlroy to the Duke of York’s crown at Kingsbarns, Fife, just a few months later Gould was at it again lifting the European Young Masters title in Murhof , Austria
This time 22-year-old McIlroy had to be content with fifth spot.
Since then McIlroy’s star was firmly on the rise culminating in his eight-shot win at Congressional Golf Club to become only the second European player to lift the US Open title in 41 years, following great friend Graeme McDowell in 2010.
You would have thought the sight of McIlroy’s lifestyle would leave 23-year-old Gould green with envy.
But, far from it.
“I don’t look at Rory winning with any envy,” said Gould who won the Gold Cross tournament in 2008.
“I know I beat him twice in one year and there’s no reason I cannot go on and do it again.
“In golf, as in many other sports, players tend to peak at different ages and mature at different times and I really think I’m capable of getting up there.
“I see what Rory’s doing as something I can strive for. I know his performances and results are something I’m capable of.
“I do remember playing twice against him in 2004 and he was really good then and looked like he was going to keep being really good and going all the way.
“I’m still really hopeful of making the big breakthrough like Rory.
“Things are looking positive and I’m looking forward to the future. 2004 was my best year on paper. I won three or four tournaments, but I’ve been making a lot of changes to my game in recent years and hoping they will all come together soon.”
In 2005 another up-and-coming star of the European Tour, Oliver Fisher, lifted the Duke of York Young Champions’ Trophy with Gould coming in fifth.
But recently Gould has swapped the scorecard for the text-book, taking on a two-year sports science course, which he has now completed.
“It’s quiet in the off-season with my golf and I thought I could occupy my time in the winter doing something like this,” he said, referring to his course.
“It’s great to have something under my belt other than golf. I’ve had three winters of being a little bored. Sometimes you can get a little lost with your golf and I thought this would occupy my time
Labels: THE WAY THEY WERE
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Wednesday, July 20, 2011
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