Gary's ace seals the deal

Gary Stafford hit a hole in one as he won the Golfbreaks.com PGA Fourball Championship Midlands qualifier with son James.

And it was the second time in two appearances at The Staffordshire Golf club that dad Gary had pulled off the feat.

The Burton on Trent duo coasted to victory in the SkyCaddie and BMW supported event after carding an impressive 11-under-par round of 60 to win by two shots ahead of Paul Simpson  (West Berkshire Golf Club) and Neil Rowlands  (Cotswolds Club).

Those two pairings will join seven other qualifiers for the £33,000 final which takes place on the Jack Nicklaus designed course at Carden Park in Cheshire between August 17-19.

But while Gary sealed another hole in one, he said it was son James, representing Cobra Puma Golf, who made the difference.

“The last time I made a hole in one was in this event two years ago, at the same course, but at a different hole,” said the Burton Golf Club head professional.

“It was bizarre really that it happened like that. The last time it happened, it got us into a play-off but we obviously won this time.

“But James did all the work and saw us through to the win, I’d say the contribution was 75-25 in his favour.

“He played exceptionally well on the back nine.”

Gary’s hole in one came at the second hole of the day, wth the event starting at the 10th hole.

They were five under par after the first four holes at the Dudley venue and never looked back.

“It was a great round of golf and I enjoy playing with James, the father and son combination works well,” he said.

“We see it as a chance to get together and play which doesn’t happen very often, we just wanted to enjoy ourselves but it was a bit more than that this time.”

Gary is now relishing a visit to Carden Park for the showpiece final.

“It’s a long course so I’ll be relying on James as the stronger player, but we’ll be looking forward to it,” he said.