Disabled British Open 2009 | Entrants

 

 

CHAMPION GOLFER OF THE YEAR
 

Duncan Hamilton-Martin - Surrey

 "Your entire team are to be congratulated on what was a very special and superbly run event. Many thanks to all the sponsors.
"The venue, Old Thorns, is first-class and the staff very friendly and helpful. The rooms were superb. I really enjoyed the trick shot session  and the gala dinner was spot on with great food. The golf course is fantastic because it tests every shot and was presented in condition suitable for a professional tournament. The volunteer system was inspired and worked brilliantly, they were so helpful and friendly.
Many many thanks and well done."

 

CATEGORY 1

Winner - Alasdair Berry - Ayrshire

    "On behalf of Alasdair Berry (my son) and I, we would like to thank all the sponsors, organisers and greenkeeping staff for the most AMAZING time of his young life in winning the Cat 1 net at the Disabled British Open at Old Thorns Golf Club, Hampshire.
Trying to tell everyone back in Scotland about the magnificent complex that is Old Thorns G.C.( which in my opinion is up there with Gleneagles, Turnberry and Wentworth and having played all of these courses myself I feel I have a right to call such a comparison) and the GREENS SPEED, and borrows, which can only be compared to Augusta (haven’t played but seen on t.v.). Alasdair will return 2010 to defend his title and I will be there as DADDYCADDY cant wait."

Runner-up - John Eakin - Surrey

Kevin Harmison - Northumberland

Duncan Hamilton-Martin - Surrey

Jeremy Freeman - Lincolnshire 

Richard Willis - Gwent

"I've been on a lot off these disabled golf events, Europe mostly, and I must say that I thought it it was very well organised...I thought the venue was excellent, the rooms, food and staff were great."

Mark Smith - London

Brendon Slavin - East Sussex

"What can I say , a big big thank you to you and all the people who have put in such hard work and time to put this competition together, it was a great experience.
 I think the open was a big sucsses I loved the course, it was a eye-opener, but wow the greens, what can I say lol , thank you so much again."

 

CATEGORY 2

Winner - Andrew McDonald - Lancashire

"A note to thankyou for a superbly run British Open on a wonderful golf course. This is my first ever competion but it wont be my last. I would like to thank all the helpers that came along to marshall, plus all the other players who made me welcome on the day."

Runner-up - Neil Plant - Berkshire

"Firstly, I'd like to thank you on a stunning golf event. It was for me the first disabled event I have ever heard of yet alone played in and you have now opened my eyes to some of the possibilities and opportunities that are open to me! To the point where I am even thinking about looking at putting a profile together on me and gaining sponsorship and playing the unofficial 'Disabled Tour' around Europe, maybe even the States!
As for next year, I will be certainly entering again and would even say to you please can you take this email as entry as I would hate to miss out the opportunity to go one better."
 

Shan Lewis - Carmarthen

Darren Grey - Durham

"The course was superb the organisation 1st class. A venue worthy of any pro or amateur event. A special mention to a younger-looking than expected mr Peter Alliss for taking the time from his busy schedule to talk to, and encourage competitors,
lets all hope the various factions of disabled golf listen to the voice of golf and pull together to make this not A tournament, but THE TOURNAMENT of disabled golf. I look forward to seeing all the friends we recently met and those we have yet to meet."

William West - Derbyshire

Roger Hurcombe - East Sussex

"A big thank you to the organisers and organisations for a superb tournament.  Also a big thank you to all the ball spotters, scorers, staff at Old Thorns and green keepers for having the course in such a superb condition for the 1st Disabled British Open.
It was great to see old and new faces and I look forward to tournament 2010."

Mike Wraight - Surrey

William Savage - Somerset

"Overall the whole three days were great, the staff at Old Thorns were very helpful, the course was tough and in excellent condition, a great challenge. I sincerely hope the event is the first of many and definitely put me down for next year. I shall continue practicing putting on a sheet of glass in preparation.
"Well done and thank you to all concerned."

Ian Dixon - Hampshire

"Thank you and all of your staff for organising such a wonderful event at Old Thorns. I thoroughly enjoyed the event...the wonderful surroundings, good company and of course the weather held out for us too.
"Regards and thanks again to you and the sponsors."

Simon Cookson - Hampshire

Christopher Foster - Hertforshire

Tero Peltola - Kuopia, Finland

Mike Overton - Caerleon

Gareth Williams - Cwmbran

David Armstrong - Lincolnshire

George Hutchins - Warwickshire

Kevin Reed - Northamptonshire

"I just wanted to say thank you for a very good and very well organised competition.
the hotel, accomodation and food were superb. All the volunteers and staff were very pleasant and helpfull and nothing was too much trouble for them.
There are no negative comments at all just a big thank you to all concerned for all their hard work and look forward to next year's tournement."

Peter Merry - Hampshire

"Firstly may I congratulate you on organising this event with SEEDA, not an easy task with so much to organise and so much to understand with individuals with disabilities...It has been a great pleasure to meet you and again well done."

Martin Jelley - Surrey

Scott Richardson - Bedforshire

Alistair Hay -

Andrew Elliot - West Yorkshire

Matthew Sims -

Kenneth Morrison - Western Isles

"What a wonderful event it was and despite me bringing my Z game, I really enjoyed the experience... I hope the event continues next year where I hope to attend again making sure to pack my A game... Many thanks again for a wonderful event."

Nigel Davis - Berkshire

David Mitchell -

William Hennessey - Essex

Martin Case - Glamorgan

"Many thanks for organising  a very successful tournament. 
We found all aspects of the hotel - room, food, service were very good.
The golf course was prepared to a very high standard. Help from the volunteers on the course from the tee to green was fantastic, and much appreciated.
The trick-shot demonstration was fantastic and the banquet was superb and very efficiently served. It was a lovely evening.
"Again many thanks for organising such a successful event. I am looking forward to playing again next year."

 

CATEGORY 3

 

Winner - Richard Saunders - Essex

"This is by far the BEST Tournament that I have participated in. The ambiance of Old Thorns and the way the course was sent up, with all the ball spotters, Marshals and the voice of the European Tour announcing competitors off the first tee sent a shiver down my spine! it was just like I was playing in a PGA tour event.
 The only comparison that is any where near how I felt on the first tee with the Sky camera's, was at Highbury in front of sixty thousand people when I ran the line Arsenal v Manchester United live on TV. when the hairs stood up on the back of my neck as I entered the field. 
I look forward to either defending my title in 2010 in the Stableford event or even competing as an 18-handicap golfer in the Category 2 Net Championship. Watch this space!" 

Runner-up - Mal Dalby - Kent

"I, along with a number of people who participated thoroughly enjoyed ourselves; it was great to play with other players who had different disabilities and meeting people at the gala dinner. Overall a first class golfing event for all abilities.
 The course was challenging, the complex and service was first-rate, nothing was too much trouble, and I look forward to next year’s event."

Tony Lloyd - Shropshire

"I’d like to pass on my sincere thanks to everybody involved in organising and executing such a wonderful event. You should all feel as proud of yourselves for putting on such a great championship as I do to have taken part. 
The whole event from start to finish felt professional. I can’t speak highly enough of the volunteers and scorers who accompanied us during our rounds.
The course at Old Thorns was in pristine condition. The tight fairways and fast, undulating greens proved a real test for all the golfers and brought out the best in us. Only a course of this calibre is worthy of holding what I’d like to think going forward may be known as the first disabled “Major”.
I was thrilled to hear that our generous sponsors are supportive of taking the Disabled British Open into 2010. I for one can’t wait to line up for that.
Once again, thank you very much. The Disabled British Open was a triumph."

Johnny Reay - Warwickshire

"Thank you for a fantastic tournament at Old Thorns.  It was my first big tournament and I had a great time."

Kevin Cook - Gwent

"Just a short note to thank you and your staff, hotel staff, volunteers and anyone else who helped make the tournament a thoroughly enjoyable occasion...
You did a fantastic job and organised a tournament for the British to be proud of and I wish you success with any future events you may have...
We had a super time and look forward to competing again next year."

Michael McGowen - Cheshire

Keith Wallace - Monmouthshire

Mark Gibson - Ballynahinch

Daniel Zaube - Cologne

Peter Wilson -

Neil Merry - Swansea

Chic McGlynn - Kent

Duncan Newall -

David Cooksley - Nottinghamshire

Johannes Siikonen - Helsinki

Neil Bray - Surrey

Terry Kirby - Derbyshire

Keith Dolman - Essex

Robert Payne - Norfolk

"An excellent occasion, and extremely well organised.  Good to meet others in a similar position all enjoying the spirit of golf... I look forward to participating next year."

Peter Priscott - Suffolk

"The Disabled British Open, 'wow, what an event'. The hotel was very good, the course was certainly very interesting and very very good, the gala dinner meal and entertainment very good  the trick shot man was superb entertainment, The whole organisation of the event was extremely well done, and I hope the same venue will be chosen next year."

Jeroen Coumou - Brielle

Ricky Moran -

Sebastian Lorente - Sitges

Heinz Barnbeck - Munich

"From the bottom of my heart, a huge "danke".
It is always a question of demanding which level of professionalism is within reach to an event and therefore I want to tell you that this event is setting standards to disabled golf. Never before have we experienced such a professionally organised tournament in all aspects, to the smallest details from having clocks on the putting green as well on 1st tee, or boards on each tee with the number and length of hole. That’s totally unknown for us.
It is those little details of the big PGA events that you took care of and made it so wonderfully professional. A leader board, live scoring, marshals on the tees, fairways and greens. Never has that been at a disabled event before. I only experienced that in my Paralympics 88 & 92.
It is the most difficult golf course of the 120 I played so far and I love it. It is very challenging and that is what I am looking for. So I will train hard to come back in 2010 and play better next year.
Once again, "danke" from the bottom of my heart"

Bob Steward - Kent

 "A short note to thank you, and the Azalea Group, for staging a first-class event. There were sufficient buggies and helpers to ensure the event ran smoothly.
 Again, my thanks to you and the sponsors for a great event."
 

Tucker Chance - Conway

Anthony Davies - Pontypridd

Chris Upton -

Christian Phillips - Hampshire

"Hotel and venue were Wow,
the course was very daunting and greens like glass... The people around the course were very supportive and encouraging, I met so many lovley people who made my experience rewarding and worth the effort... The after dinner speeches were a highlight.
Management of the tournament was very good and I look forward to the 2010 Disabled British Open."

Joe Guerin - Kerry

Paul Cunningham - London

"The venue was absolutely first-class.  The room, like the hotel,  were comfortable and stylish.  The staff were exceptionally helpful.  The spotters and volunteers out on the course were good fun and an excellent and helpful addition.
The course and practice facilities were magnificent.  I enjoyed the quick greens over the two days.
The event was well organised and thanks to Azalea, Accentuate and Seeda for bringing the BDO to fruition.  The gala dinner and the speakers were entertaining and it was an opportunity to meet some fantastic people.  It was amazing to witness the lengths we all go to in order to adapt to be able to play golf.  Quite inspiring."

Andreas Angelis - London