Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship 2018
Ryder Cup stars, celebrities, a €50,000 prize and one winner…
The 2018 Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship is a roaring success!
A whole host of golfing icons and celebrities once again descended on the stunning Nailcote Hall in Warwickshire between 7-10 August for a thrilling week of golf at this year’s Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship.
Widely regarded as one of the most inclusive golf events in the world, the four-day event brings together men, women, professionals, amateurs, juniors and people of all ability as they play alongside one another on the famously tricky Cromwell Course.
Hosted by two-time Major winner, Tony Jacklin CBE, this year was extra special as it saw the first ever junior qualifier event take place. Offering a youngster the chance to play in the main event, Nick Matthews was the lucky winner, bagging himself a place in the Pro-Am. At 14 years old he is the youngest player to have competed in the pro event.
If you missed out on the action, take a look back at 2018’s remarkable event…
Tuesday 7 August – Liverpool legend Steve Staunton wins first Celeb-Am
The week, which was broadcast on Sky Sports, kicked off with a Celeb-Am which saw a whole host of famous faces take on the course. The likes of former Strictly Come Dancing judge, Len Goodman, England rugby legend, Mike Tindall MBE, radio and TV presenter, Jenni Falconer, Westlife star, Brian McFadden and Harry Potter actors, James and Oliver Phelps were all in action, but it was former Liverpool and Ireland defender, Steve Staunton, who came out on top.
He clinched victory with a score of +1, fighting off competition from ex-Manchester United star, Clayton Blackmore, and Len Goodman.
Wednesday 8 August – Steven Tiley takes early lead in the Pro-Am
Competition really heated up on the Wednesday, as the Pro-Am got underway. With a €150,000 prize fund on offer, it was a fiercely contested affair. Some of the sport’s biggest names in golf took part, including 1991 Masters winner, Ian Woosnam OBE, Europe’s most successful Ryder Cup Captain, Tony Jacklin CBE, Open Championship star, Sam Locke, 2005 U.S. Open winner, Michael Campbell, the Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour Charley Hull, European Tour rookie Aaron Rai, one of the most successful Italian players of all-time Costantino Rocca, and the event’s first ever Chilean player, Matias Calderon.
It was Challenge Tour player Steven Tiley who had the best of the play, and his score of -3 was enough to make him the overnight leader, ahead of European Tour player, Andrew Marshall and the 2013 Norma C Herd Silver Salver winner, Craig Lawrie.
Thursday 9 August – Steven Tiley is crowned Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship winner for 2018
The final day of the professional event saw numerous players in with a chance of scooping the title, but in the end, it went down to a straight shootout between Steven Tiley and Andrew Marshall. With just one stroke in it, Tiley was crowned victorious with a par on the final hole in front of a packed out grandstand, meaning his score of -6 was enough to take home the title.
Earlier in the day, Aaron Rai and Craig Lawrie, put themselves into contention, and at one stage, along with Tiley they found themselves on the same score, and the prospect of a play-off, loomed large. However, Lawrie fell away after bogeying on the 13th eventually finishing on -4 and when it looked like Rai could go on to triumph after scoring a magnificent hole-in-one, his round ended with a double bogey on the final hole in front of the grandstand, a hole he has struggled with all day.
Mark McNulty won the Super Senior Title, the Norma C Herd Silver Salver awarded for best scoring amateur went to David Nelson, and there was also a team aspect of the day with Marshall and Jeff Sverdlow winning this.
The day also saw the event’s first hole-in-one take place courtesy of Staysure Tour star Gary Wolstenholme MBE, with Rai then following suit later in the day.
Friday 10 August – Former Wolves striker, Don Goodman, brings the week to an end with Celeb-Am win
The curtain came down on another wonderful week with a final Celeb-Am, on the Friday. Even a brief rain shower couldn’t dampen spirits as Geordie Shore star Gaz Beadle, Coronation Street legend, William Roache MBE, BBC Sport and news host, Dan Walker, ex-Scotland manager, Gordon Strachan OBE and Love Island’s Chris Hughes, hit the course.
It was Wolves legend, Don Goodman, who won the event with a score of +3. His closest competitors came in the form of ex- Aston Villa midfielder, Lee Hendrie and BBC Sport and news presenter, Dan Walker, who shot rounds of +8 and +5 respectively, but Goodman’s round saw him bag four birdies helping him to clinch victory.
Evening dinners also took place during the week which raised money for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People who care for youngsters with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
The Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship would like to thank all of this year’s sponsors for once again coming on board to support the event. They include: headline sponsors Farmfoods, event organisers Champions (UK) plc, Nailcote Hall, Volvik, Sub70, Champions Celebrity Talent Agency, Browns Food group, The Eagle Tour, McCain, Sky Sports Golf, Liberty Industries Group, Thomas Lyte, Birmingham Post, Golf Punk, Total Motion, Inspirational Magazine, Finest Catch, VPAR, Champions After Dinner Speakers and Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.
Plans are already underway for next year’s event, and for more information on the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship, visit their website, http://britishpar3.com/ or get in touch with event organisers Champions (UK) plc by calling 08453 31 30 31.