Scots golfing pair have Egypt in their sights
SCOTS golfing husband and wife team James and Margaret Hair are celebrating winning through to play in the Grand Final of one of Europe’s biggest amateur competitions – at a luxury five-star resort in Egypt.
James and Margaret, from Cupar, have beaten off competition from more than 1600 other golfers in the prestigious Matchplay Championship with a series of impressive performances.
Now they are looking forward to competing with seven other teams for the title of Mixed Matchplay Champions in the 54-hole Grand Final at the luxurious Taba Heights Marriot resort in Egypt.
The couple, who play at Ladybank Golf Club, will jet out between 19-26 April for a week-long all expenses paid trip to the world renowned resort to play against other regional qualifiers from across the UK & Ireland.
James is a chartered accountant who plays off a handicap of 18, while Margaret, 55, is a teacher at Kirkland High School in Methil and also plays off 18. They entered the Championship last July and now they are the only pair from the whole of Scotland to qualify.
The Matchplay Championship, which costs just £20 per person to enter, is one of Europe’s biggest amateur competitions with more than 800 teams from the UK & Ireland competing.
James, 54, said: “We are absolutely stunned to have qualified for the Grand Final in Egypt after paying just £20 each to enter a competition last July.
“It has been a great experience playing against golfers from other clubs across the UK and to now have the chance to play in the final with a week’s all expenses paid trip to a five-star resort in Egypt is incredible.
“We will be going out there and doing our best to try and win but even if we don’t it is an experience that I’m sure we will never forget.”
The Marriot resort, nestled on the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea cost, is famed worldwide for its luxurious surroundings, championship golf course and stunning scenery.
John Woosey, managing director of The Golfer’s Club which promotes the Matchplay Championship, said: “The Matchplay Championship not only offers players a tremendously exciting and competitive tournament of golf but the chance to play in one of the most stunning golfing locations on the planet.
“James and Margaret have done extremely well to get to the Grand Final because more than 1600 golfers entered the tournament.
“I wish them all the best and I’m sure that, whatever the result, they will enjoy playing golf and relaxing in the luxurious surroundings of Taba Heights in April.”
In total 16 teams from across the UK & Ireland are travelling to compete in Egypt – eight mixed pairs and eight men’s pairs.
The Matchplay Championship is sponsored by American Golf, BUPA Travel Services and The Golfer’s Club.
Golfers are now able to enter next year’s event and details are available on www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk
About the Matchplay Championship:
All rounds up until the regional finals are knockout stages using a better ball matchplay format at the home team’s course over 18 holes. The winning team qualifies for the next round.
The regional final is played using a combined Stableford format over 18 holes
The Grand Final is played over three days using an accumulative Stableford format.
The first Matchplay Championship took place in 2003 and has grown in popularity ever since. The first four Grand Finals took place in Jamaica and this year is the first time the event has been held in Egypt.
James and Margaret, from Cupar, have beaten off competition from more than 1600 other golfers in the prestigious Matchplay Championship with a series of impressive performances.
Now they are looking forward to competing with seven other teams for the title of Mixed Matchplay Champions in the 54-hole Grand Final at the luxurious Taba Heights Marriot resort in Egypt.
The couple, who play at Ladybank Golf Club, will jet out between 19-26 April for a week-long all expenses paid trip to the world renowned resort to play against other regional qualifiers from across the UK & Ireland.
James is a chartered accountant who plays off a handicap of 18, while Margaret, 55, is a teacher at Kirkland High School in Methil and also plays off 18. They entered the Championship last July and now they are the only pair from the whole of Scotland to qualify.
The Matchplay Championship, which costs just £20 per person to enter, is one of Europe’s biggest amateur competitions with more than 800 teams from the UK & Ireland competing.
James, 54, said: “We are absolutely stunned to have qualified for the Grand Final in Egypt after paying just £20 each to enter a competition last July.
“It has been a great experience playing against golfers from other clubs across the UK and to now have the chance to play in the final with a week’s all expenses paid trip to a five-star resort in Egypt is incredible.
“We will be going out there and doing our best to try and win but even if we don’t it is an experience that I’m sure we will never forget.”
The Marriot resort, nestled on the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea cost, is famed worldwide for its luxurious surroundings, championship golf course and stunning scenery.
John Woosey, managing director of The Golfer’s Club which promotes the Matchplay Championship, said: “The Matchplay Championship not only offers players a tremendously exciting and competitive tournament of golf but the chance to play in one of the most stunning golfing locations on the planet.
“James and Margaret have done extremely well to get to the Grand Final because more than 1600 golfers entered the tournament.
“I wish them all the best and I’m sure that, whatever the result, they will enjoy playing golf and relaxing in the luxurious surroundings of Taba Heights in April.”
In total 16 teams from across the UK & Ireland are travelling to compete in Egypt – eight mixed pairs and eight men’s pairs.
The Matchplay Championship is sponsored by American Golf, BUPA Travel Services and The Golfer’s Club.
Golfers are now able to enter next year’s event and details are available on www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk
About the Matchplay Championship:
All rounds up until the regional finals are knockout stages using a better ball matchplay format at the home team’s course over 18 holes. The winning team qualifies for the next round.
The regional final is played using a combined Stableford format over 18 holes
The Grand Final is played over three days using an accumulative Stableford format.
The first Matchplay Championship took place in 2003 and has grown in popularity ever since. The first four Grand Finals took place in Jamaica and this year is the first time the event has been held in Egypt.
Labels: Amateur Ladies, Amateur Men
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See story on its own page | 6:33:00 PM
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