SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENIOR SENIORS AT THORPEMESS

 John Griffin and Murray White (right) with their trophy at the distinctive background of Thorpeness Golf Club. Picture by courtesy of the PGA website.

SCOT MURRAY WHITE AND JOHN 

GRIFFIN WIN PGA SUPER-60s' TITLE

Hertfordshire golfers Scots-born Murray White and John Griffin refused to feel the pressure as they battled stormy conditions to win the PGA Super 60s Championship at Thorpeness.
The pair overcame sporadic heavy wind and rain, which caused dropped shots throughout the field, to hold onto a strong overnight lead and win the title by two shots.
For Penfold Park Golf Club's PGA professional White and his amateur partner Griffin, a successful 72-year-old entrepreneur who has appeared on the hit Channel 4 TV Show "Secret Millionaire,2 the win was testament to their fighting spirit.
The rain-soaked course, particularly battered during a two-hour delay in the first round, was taking no prisoners, and many of the leaders faded away over the front nine.
But White and Griffin, buoyed by a birdie at the second, battled their way to a final score of five-under-par 135 (61-74) which was enough to secure first place and the lion’s share of a £10,000 prize fund.
Murray pocketed £1,250.
Their closest challengers Parnell Reilly (Bradley Park) and David James, whose one-under par 69 featured an incredible seven birdies and six bogeys, ultimately ended with a three-under-par  total of 137.
Penfold Park pro White had been the talk of the clubhouse after carding an incredible six birdies over the back nine on day one when the pair returned a brilliant score of 61.
And he admitted the pressure to repeat the feat loomed large as he approached the course on day two.
“There are two kinds of pressure when you take the lead in the tournament,” White explained.
“It’s a fear of making a complete fool of yourself by really messing things up, and also the fear of losing when it is clear you are in a winning position.
“Obviously for us it was more the latter today, but I think we approached things in the right way.
“John is a very calm person, and we didn’t end up getting too nervy.
“Conditions were much tougher today than they were yesterday, but I feel we dealt with that and that’s why we held out to win.”
Left-hander Griffin, who sold his business earlier this summer and has been using much of the extra time to play golf, said the practice paid off during an important event.
“We get together and play every Saturday morning,” he explained.
“It keeps us fit and healthy and it’s always good fun, and, of course, it meant that I had plenty of practice before I got here.  
“For the pros here it is a really important event, as it allows them to re-connect with people who they have grown up playing golf with.
“It has been great to be a part of that, and to win has made it extra special.
“This is a big tournament, and first place is always a good place to be – we are absolutely delighted to have won here.”
Also on offer at Thorpeness was the Superb 70s, awarded to the highest placed pairing over 70 years of age.
Jack Timms and David Snell took the title after finishing tied 22^nd overall with a seven-over-par 147.
LEADING TOTALS
Par 140 (2x70)
Pro's name before amateur partner
135 Murray White (Penfold Park) and John Griffin (am) 61 74. £1,250.
137 Parnell Reilly (Bradley Park) and David James (a) 68 69. £1,000
SELECTED TOTALS
139 Iain Clark (Scotland) and Colin Day (am) 71 68 (T6). £575
140 Jim Farmer (R and A) and David Johnson (a) 70 70 (8th). £450.
+There were several other Scots in the field. To view all the scores

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