Matt Finish Wins The Day

Matt Finish Wins The Day

 | News |

A late birdie blitz earned Park Hill pro Matthew Ulyett and his teenage amateur partner Michael Brown a place in the grand final of the Virgin Atlantic PGA National Pro-Am Championship.

The Leicestershire pair, playing in the last but one group, staged a rousing finale at the regional final at Whittington Heath with a hat-trick of birdies in the last four holes for a seven under par 63 and one stroke victory over Trentham, Northampton and Belton Park golf clubs.

It earns Ulyett and Brown a prized spot in December's 36-hole final at the magnificent Antalya Golf Club resort in Turkey where they will compete on the PGA Sultan Course for a £30,000 prize fund against 15 other clubs from across the UK.

"We found out on 16 that seven under was the target so it was nice to go birdie, birdie but the biggest putt was on the last," said Ulyett.

"This course is renowned to be a tough finish so to be three under over the last four holes was fantastic.

"We didn't really have a chance to get nervous because we weren't really in contention and then all of a sudden bang, bang we're in the final."

Ulyett, who came runner up in the event in 2002 in Portugal, sank the crucial putts over the closing holes but his partner also chipped in at some vital points.

"Mike kept the momentum going with a great four nett three on the 12th which is the hardest hole on the course. He's been brilliant - I've now just got to look after his handicap until December!" added Ulyett who has been at Park Hill for 10 years.

The pair can also look forward to an all expenses trip at the five star Sirene Beach and Hotel Resort - a tantalising prospect for 18-year-old Brown, a student from Rearsby who has only being playing golf for six months.

"I'm elated, I can't quite believe it," he said. "I've only just turned 18 and only been playing golf for six months and am absolutely loving it.

"I got my first handicap just before Christmas at 16 and I live for my Saturdays when I can come down to Park Hill and swing a club.

"I'm a 10 handicap at the moment but my ambition is to become a single figure handicap but watching the two pros in my group it makes you realise they are in a different league."