Golfers just miss out on dream trip to Egypt

Apr 9 2008 By Graham Mann, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

AIRDRIE golfers Willie Ferguson and George Gibb have narrowly missed out on a chance to play in the grand final of one of Europe’s biggest amateur tournaments.

Willie and John, who play at Airdrie Golf Club, beat off competition from around 1600 other golfers to win their way through to the regional final of the illustrious Matchplay Championship.

But at a hard-fought regional final at the prestigious De Vere Carden Park course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, the pair narrowly missed out on qualifying for the grand final at the Marriot Taba Heights Resort in Egypt.

Willie is a 46-year-old company director who plays off a handicap of five while George is a clerk of works for the council and plays off a handicap of 13.

They won through a number of matches before just missing out on the final.

Willie said: “We have really enjoyed the championship and although we are disappointed to get so close to the Grand Final in Egypt, we are proud to have made the regional final.

“It has been a fantastic tournament. Hopefully next year we will be able to go one step further and win a place in the grand final.”

The Matchplay Championship is one of Europe’s biggest amateur competitions with more than 800 teams competing.

In total, 16 teams from across the UK and Ireland qualified for the week-long all-expenses-paid trip to Taba Heights.

John Woosey, managing director of The Golfer’s Club, which promotes the Matchplay Championship, said: “It’s a shame that Willie and George won’t be joining us at Taba Heights in April but they are due tremendous congratulations for even reaching the regional final.

“Entries are already being accepted for next year’s tournament, which will be bigger and better than ever.

“We hope to see Willie and George playing again and they will no doubt be hoping they can go one step better and qualify for the Grand Final next time.”

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 Matchplay event.

Details are available on www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk