Waltham Windmill duo win Staysure PGA Trophy

31/07/2019

Amateur Martin Quickfall has described winning the 2019 Staysure PGA Trophy alongside PGA Professional Stephen Bennett as the best moment of his 35-year golfing career.

The Waltham Windmill pair shared the overnight lead with Ian Graham and Neil Keir (Crow Wood), however Quickfall and Bennett produced some scintillating golf in windy conditions on the Heritage Course at The London Golf Club.

A three-shot lead looked healthy at the half-way point following an excellent opening front nine and the Waltham Windmill team held their nerve to finish on 82 points, with Crow Wood finishing as runners-up on 78.

“It feels absolutely fantastic to have won the 2019 Staysure PGA Trophy,” said Quickfall, a supervisor for a housing association in Lincolnshire.

“This will take some beating. As far as my golfing experience goes this is top of the list. I don’t think you can beat this, I can’t think of anything that could top this. I’ve been playing golf for 35 years and I’ve never experienced this sort of level of golf.”

Asked how he handled the pressure on the back nine, Quickfall continued: “I’ve never stood on the tee and got the shakes. When you’re close and you’re playing well all of a sudden the reality that you might actually win kicks in.

“There was a lot of pressure. Now I know how the top players feel coming down that final stretch knowing they need a birdie to win. I shall dine out on this a few times!”

Bennett gets to take home the Staysure PGA Trophy as well as cheque for £7,500. He can look back fondly at an electric start which saw them five-under-par after nine holes.

Bennett said: “Martin had a nett birdie on the second and I held my second shot on the fourth for an eagle then birdied the next. We teetered on the back nine quite a bit and held it for level par but fortunately we won which was brilliant.

“This tournament is nice for the amateurs at the golf club for something they can build to. I don’t think Martin realised just how big this event actually is when he entered at the start with all of the other over-50s.

“It’s great that a company like Staysure are promoting and sponsoring events like this. It’s fantastic for the golfing industry, for amateurs and professionals.

“It’s been a great experience. You’re playing with one of your members and it’s a great day out for them and the pro.”

Cottesmore duo Stephen Grouwstra and Colin Niner (a) finished tied third place on 77 points alongside Garforth pair Gareth Johnson and Lee Bazeley (a).

For a full list of results from the opening day of the Staysure PGA Trophy Grand Final click here.

To view our photo gallery from the 2019 Staysure PGA Trophy click here.