Day scores runaway win in Logan Trophy

Gloucestershire’s Nick Day claimed his first national title in grand style, with a 9-shot runaway victory in the Logan Trophy. 

The 38-year-old tamed the fiery fairways at Long Ashton Golf Club – in his home county – and finished the 54-hole English men’s open mid-amateur championship on nine-under par. 

“I’m dead chuffed to win something like this,” said Day, a member at nearby Henbury Golf Club. 

He was six off the pace after his first round of two-over 73, when he played in the wind and his putts refused to drop. But he was far from discouraged and charged to the top of the leaderboard on day two, when he carded six-under 65. His score, which included two eagles, put him three clear with a round to play. 

Today he forged further ahead with four birdies in the first six holes and went on to shoot 66. As the gap widened he opted for the “safe and sensible” approach. The driver mostly stayed in the bag, as it did yesterday, and he teed off with rescue clubs which gave plenty of length as well as more control on the ball. 

Those in the know in Gloucestershire will not be surprised by Day’s win. He’s an extremely competitive golfer who plays off plus-three, has won four county championships and topped the county’s order of merit for the last six or seven years.

But he’s also the operations manager of a working dock and the father of a little boy who will be two in August – and that doesn’t leave time for playing the national golf circuit. 
“I play a lot of weekend golf, but not much in between, I’m not a massive practiser,” he said. 

However, when he discovered the Logan Trophy was to be played at Long Ashton he put it in the diary, knowing the course suited his game. He won one of his county championships there and holds the course record of 64. “I knew I could shoot low round here,” said Day. “I’ve probably played it two or three times a year for the last 12 or 15 years.” 

Day also had praise for the course, which stood up well to the dry conditions. “Everywhere is really burned up but the course was still really good,” he said. 

The runner-up was Lancashire’s Geoff Harris (Formby), who was level par, while Justin Phelps (Northwood) took third place on three-over. 

Long Ashton members Gordon Barr and Jonathan O’Neill both made with cut, finishing tied 9th and 31st respectively. 

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