23/09/2022
Knighton Heath Golf Club duo Andy Windsor and Matt Platt dedicated their St James’s Place PGA National Pro-Am Championship qualifier to a fellow club member who passed away recently.
The Bournemouth-based pairing won the event at Broadstone Golf Club in dominant fashion, finishing three points ahead of their nearest challengers, Phil Brookes and Andy Boekestein from the Point at Polzeath.
Finishing with 45 points at the Dorset venue, Windsor and Platt will now play in the showpiece final to be held on the PGA Sultan course at Antalya Golf Club, on November 29-30.
The was tinged with sadness though following the death of their friend Andy Nicholas, aged 43, in June.
“Andy was one of the biggest characters you could meet and a massive part of the club, his nickname was ‘Bandy’ and he’d been a member right from junior level,” explained PGA Professional Windsor.
“He’d gone away on a golf trip to Monmouth, the group went out for a few drinks, which is usual, but Andy was involved in an altercation which turned into an assault.
“During that, he fell awkwardly and was taken to hospital in an induced coma. But he didn't survive unfortunately. It was a really sad event.
“We dedicated the win to him as it was something he’d have loved to have done. He was one of the amateur members who got the club to enter these sort of events.
“I think we’ll be taking some crested t-shirts to Turkey with his nickname on it as well.”
“Matt’s been working on his game over the last 12 months, so this is a reward for all of that,” added Windsor, who has never qualified for a PGA final before.
“This is the first time for me, but it raises our profile and shows our members what can be achieved.
“Matt was able to play in both the qualifier at Broadstone and the final in Turkey, so the timings have worked out just right.
“He’s been playing well so I hope we’ll be very competitive out there.”
CLICK HERE to view a full set of results from the St. James's Place PGA National Pro-Am Championship qualifier at Broadstone Golf Club.