Amid a blustery Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open, one man held his nerve and produced a display of sublime golf to earn his place at this weeks European Senior Tour event, the Willow Senior Golf Classic at Hanbury Manor.
Carus Green ambassador Gary Wolstenholme MBE finished 28th on the European Senior Tour Order of Merit in 2015 and thus, under the terms of the new strategic review and re-ordering of the exemption categories, lost his full playing rights for the 2016 season. However a series of fine displays from Gary including three top five finishes (T2 at the Acorn Jersey Open, T5 at the Swiss Seniors Open and T5 at the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open) have seen him rocket up the Order of Merit and currently resided in 10th place, with the top 20 keeping their cards for the following season on the completion of the MCB Tour Championships in December.
There are only four regular tour events remaining and at present Gary is only in one of them, this weeks Willow Senior Golf Classic, following his finish last week, but he will be hoping his exemplary golfing displays so far this season will earn him consideration for those all important invitations.
Rounds of 69, 68 and a closing 71, saw Gary finish on a total of 8 under par, and in that all important share of 5th spot overall, having held his nerve to hole a 3 foot putt for par at the final hole, after chasing his birdie putt past, thinking he needed it to finish inside the top 5.
Gary gets underway this week on Thursday 26th August at Marriott Hanbury Manor on the European Senior Tour.
For live scoring check out the European Senior Tour website www.europeantour.com/seniortour
Good luck Gary!