UK Qualifiers for the Volvo World Golf Challenge – World Final

This year, it featured no fewer than 78 events during which almost 5,000 rounds of golf were played. The circuit visited some of the UK’s top golfing venues, including Royal County Down, Royal St George’s, Sunningdale and Swinley Forest, as well as overseas excursions to Florida, Dubai, Portugal and, in September, to California where participants played five rounds, including one at Pebble Beach. It is an extensive and thrilling schedule through which players attempt to accrue Order of Merit points to qualify for the UK final at Turnberry, site of the 2009 Open Championship.

A field of 54 amateur golfers with handicaps ranging from 2 to 28 gathered to do battle over two rounds/days for the title and the chance to qualify for the Volvo World Golf Challenge at Fancourt in South Africa. As ever, this resulted in a great blend of camaraderie and competition, a high standard of amateur golf, faultless organisation and, above all, huge fun.

Having scored five event victories through the season, Bill Ferguson from Glasgow topped the 2011 Order of Merit. As a result the 3-handicapper secured an automatic place in the World Final. The pressure was therefore off the Scot in this event, though there were still four places in the World Final up for grabs at Turnberry; for the leading two players (excluding Bill,) the leading Volvo owner, and the leading lady.

As day one progressed, the weather made things progressively more difficult. This meant that the Order of Merit leaders, playing later, faced the toughest conditions. The rain was driving into them as the last group battled their way home, and Mark Vandenberghe did supremely well to return 36 points and claim the halfway lead.

Happily, day two saw perfect conditions for links golf; a stiff breeze and clear skies unveiling the wonderful views across the sea. The players went out in reverse order with 68 points leading until the final two groups came in. Richard Vale added 34 to his first-round 35, and then Simon Smith, Mark Vandenberghe and Jason Shillito also posted 69s. A countback was required, and Jason emerged as the winner with Simon claiming second place. Richard made it through as leading Volvo owner, and after a fine second round of 36 to give a two-round total of 67, the leading lady was Jenny Brown.

Qualifiers for World Final

• Order of Merit winner – Bill Ferguson (Drumpellier GC) – Handicap 3
• UK Final Winner – Jason Shillito (The London GC) – 11
• UK Final Runner-up – Simon Smith (County GC) – 22
• Leading Volvo Owner – Richard Vale (Wychwood Park GC) – 8
• Leading Lady – Jenny Brown (Nizels GC) – 5

Let’s leave it to World Final qualifier Jason Shillito to sum up what playing in the Volvo World Challenge is all about.

“Having played in numerous differently run competitions, I find the Volvo Tour extremely well organised, the guys running the events are very welcoming and it is exceptionally nice to be recognised, remembered and greeted by name upon arrival. The venues are exceptional and the Tour creates an almost family atmosphere with people creating friendships away from the Tour due to playing together. I would recommend anyone looking for competitive golf at great courses with a friendly atmosphere to join the Volvo Tour.”