Brewster and Hessey lead Brabazon qualifiers Yorkshire’s Ben Brewster set a course record of eight-under par to lead the northern qualifier for the Brabazon Trophy, and Gloucestershire’s Noah Hessey topped the leaderboard for the southern qualifier on four-under. Brewster (Wheatley) shot 64 at Fulford Golf Club, York, and Hessey (Long Ashton) returned 68 at Hadley Wood Golf Club, Hertfordshire. The top 32 players at both events qualified for the Brabazon Trophy, England Golf’s flagship open championship and one of the majors of men’s amateur golf. Almost 260 players were involved in the qualifying events and the cut-off at both courses fell at one-over par. The successful 64 qualifiers will join 89 exempt players in the championship field at The London Club from June 22-25. Brewster, 20, (pictured top) had two eagles in his 64, included in a superb run of five consecutive threes, from the seventh hole. “It’s my lowest-ever score and my first course record,” said Brewster, from Wheatley Golf Club. “It was a special day, one of those rounds of golf where I didn’t miss a single shot. I executed every shot and played every hole the way I wanted. All the hard work paid off.” He was so focussed that he wasn’t disturbed by anything, even when a player in the group behind hit a ball on to the 11th green as he was preparing to hit his eagle putt. He simply stayed composed and rolled the putt in. Brewster went on: “This is only a stepping stone, it’s only a qualifier – not the pinnacle of amateur golf! But it’s a great result and massive for my confidence.” He added: “I played in the Brabazon last year and it’s so nice to get in as qualifying champion. I hope I can carry that good form into the actual event. Brewster is a Yorkshire county player who recently won the Danny Willett Salver at Lindrick Golf Club. His closest challengers at Fulford were Dan Brown (Bedale) and Sam Done (Kenwick Park) on four-under. At Hadley Wood, Noah Hessey broke a logjam at the top of the leaderboard when he birdied the last two holes for four-under 68. Behind, him seven players were tied on two-under. “I really enjoyed the course, it was in fantastic condition,” said the 21-year-old (pictured left). “The greens were tough and if you got on the wrong side of the pins it was quite hard to save par, but I managed well. I got in a few sticky situations but my damage limitation was good!” He birdied the first, had a couple of early bogeys, but from the fifth his scoring was flawless, with five birdies and the rest pars.  “It’s nice to get a win,” he said “I know it’s only a qualifier, but to beat a lot of good players is good for my confidence.” Hessey played in last year’s Brabazon and was determined to return: “I enjoyed the tournament so much, it was fantastic and this year it’s at the London Club, which I can’t wait for. I’m really excited to be going there.” His win attracted good wishes on Twitter from European Tour player Chris Wood, who is both a friend and fellow club member. The joint runners-up at Hadley Wood, on two-under par, were Harry Ellis (Meon Valley), Timothy Martin (Worthing), Charlie Strickland (Ham Manor), Freddie Price (Royal Blackheath), Darren Walkley (Hayling), Rhys Evans (Celtic Manor) and Mark Collins (Chart Hills). Click here for full scores from the southern qualifier Click here for full scores from the northern qualifier Images © Leaderboard Photography Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193