The South of England Open Amateur Championship each year attracts a top-class field of amateur golfers from across the world. The competition takes place over both the Old and New courses and consists of four rounds of golf with a cut after 36 holes.
More information can be viewed at: www.seoac.co.uk/
2011 EVENT 31st AUGUST - 2ND SEPTEMBER
2011
Yorkshire amateur Will Shucksmith had the week of his life to date when he won the South of England Amateur Championship at Walton Heath.
Not only did the 27 years old golfer take this prestigious title – ranked No.3 in Europe in stroke play importance by the R&A – but he learned that he had successfully qualified as an accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
“I’ve not been able to play as much top level golf as I’d have liked in recent times because of my studies but this double success has made it all worthwhile. I am absolutely thrilled, “ said Shucksmith who was the 2005 British Universities champion.
He took the Michael Lunt trophy when he won the first play-off hole against Dutchman Robin Kind. Played over the opening 240 yards par three of The Old Course, Shucksmith’s par was good enough after his opponent drove into a greenside bunker.
The former Yorkshire Boys and Mens champion is now back to his best-ever handicap of plus four and plans to reignite his amateur career. “I’m going to give it my best shot. I’d love to aim for a Walker Cup place and if everything went really well then, yes, I’d consider turning professional.
This is the seventh consecutive year the SoE Championship has been played at the famed Surrey heathland club and the second time Shucksmith has competed. “I also played in 2006 shortly after I graduated, “ he said. “I didn’t do so quite as well then, injuring my wrist playing out of the heather and retiring hurt after just ten holes.”
Last year’s winner Jack Senior was unable to defend his title as he was playing in the United States Amateur where he made it through to the quarter-finals. The Lancashire golfer then played in the GB&I Walker Cup side that triumphed over the USA and has since turned professional.
Final Scores (TOP 20)
| Place |
Name |
Club |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
Result |
| 1 |
Will Shucksmith * |
Alwoodley |
68 |
70 |
71 |
74 |
283 |
| 2 |
Robin Kind |
The Netherlands |
72 |
70 |
67 |
74 |
283 |
| 3 |
Jerome Titlow |
The London Club |
67 |
73 |
71 |
73 |
284 |
| 4 |
Jamie Rutherford |
Knebworth |
70 |
73 |
71 |
71 |
285 |
| 5 |
James Frazer |
Pennard |
69 |
73 |
75 |
69 |
286 |
| 6 |
Ben Loughrey |
Wrag Barn |
70 |
73 |
70 |
73 |
286 |
| 7 |
Ryan Evans |
Wellingborough |
68 |
76 |
73 |
70 |
287 |
| 8 |
Richard Smith |
Notts |
78 |
70 |
69 |
71 |
288 |
| |
Warren Harmston |
Wentworth |
72 |
69 |
74 |
73 |
288 |
| |
Neil Raymond |
Corhampton |
74 |
73 |
72 |
70 |
289 |
| |
Jack Bartlett |
Worthing |
72 |
73 |
71 |
73 |
289 |
| |
Matt Wallace |
Moor Park |
69 |
72 |
74 |
74 |
289 |
| |
Josh Loughrey |
Wrag Barn |
76 |
68 |
76 |
70 |
290 |
| |
Andrew Cooley |
Chobham |
73 |
73 |
73 |
71 |
290 |
| |
Steven Brown |
Wentworth |
66 |
74 |
72 |
78 |
290 |
| |
Paul O'Kane |
Moyola Park |
67 |
78 |
74 |
72 |
291 |
| |
David Booth |
Rotherham |
69 |
75 |
74 |
73 |
291 |
| |
Michael Saunders |
Dartford |
71 |
71 |
76 |
73 |
291 |
| |
Peter Tarver-Jones |
Worthing |
69 |
74 |
73 |
75 |
291 |
| |
Connor Fletcher |
Chart Hills |
71 |
70 |
75 |
75 |
291 |
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| * |
Will Shucksmith won on 1st extra hole |
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