National Win For Alan
Nov 4 2009 The Journal
CROOK Golf Club captain Alan Brack has lifted a major national title. I'm gobsmacked", was Alan's reaction to being declared the winner of the English Golf Captains Final over the impressive Forest Pines Golf and Country Club Hotel in North Lincolnshire.
"My head's in a spin. I can't believe it," added the 48 year old lorry driver from Spennymoor in County Durham, who carded 35 Stableford points in the second round off a seven handicap for an aggregate of 68.
This gave him victory on count back from John Kenny from Cheshire, who signed for a second round 34, with Steven Bennett from Bridlington coming 3rd.
When he'd recovered from the shock, Brack, captain of Crook Golf Club in 2003 and current chairman of greens and handicapping at the club, put his victory down to a birdie-four at the 15th hole.
It earned him three vital points when he was trailing Kenny, while the other key moment came at the last where Kenny missed a three-foot putt that would have given him the outright victory.
Alan said: "You only enter these competitions for an enjoyable weekend and to make new friendships. You don't expect to win and to do so is a big bonus. I still can't believe it. But the Forest Pines course was superb, so was the hospitality."
He had started the second day of the event three points off the lead held by Andrew Edwards from Watford. But the latter failed to reproduce his first round effort and it was Steven Bennett who set the target with 37 points off a three handicap.
But it wasn't to be as Brack and Kenny came up on the rails in the penultimate match to snatch the spoils.
Alan added: "To play in such a prestigious event and to represent Crook GC, probably one of the friendliest club in the North East, is a great honour. The event is so well run by Paul Keeling and the EGU staff.
"To win the event is something special. I can remember all the shots I played - some good and some not so good. I've now been invited to play at The Berkshire GC to defend my title in 2010.
"I owe a big thank you to Neil Harker for asking me to be his vice-captain in 2002 as this would have not happened otherwise."
Page 2 - Ladies Tough It Out >>
