KINGTON Golf Club welcomed former Ryder Cup players when they hosted the year end 36-hole championship of the European Players Tour.

The new Tour has experienced tour professionals competing against quality amateurs and celebrities.

Despite recent bad weather the hard work of the greenkeepers coupled with Kington’s fast drying fairways and greens ensured a good test for the field which included champions from the European Tour, Seniors Tour, and former European Ryder Cup players Philip Price and David Gilford.

Many of the players loved the unique inland links style of the course and they said they would return with friends in the near future. 

Day one saw unusually calm conditions greet players and former European Tour winner Daniel Brooks shot a new course record for the current layout of six under par 64.

He followed that with a 66 in more usual windy conditions on the second day to win the overall 36 hole stableford event with 74 points playing off plus four handicap.

Herefordshire golf star and Kington reigning club champion Ryan Hotchkiss won day two with a gross 66 (38 points) and finished third overall beating all of the other tour professionals in the field.

This was achieved with an amazing back nine of just 29 which included five birdies and an eagle. Allan Williams, from Kington, also played excellent golf to finish an excellent sixth overall. 

Events such as this are great for raising awareness of Kington Golf Club and Herefordshire as places to visit.

The Tour organisers were delighted with the way Kington GC hosted the event and appreciated the support of the volunteers and spectators.

They plan to return for two events next year on April 18 and another 36 hole event on September 4 and 5.