Home /
Sullivan is runner-up in Midland Boys
Ashley Chesters took the Midland Boys yesterday at Sandwell Park by three shots from Andy Sullivan and Richard Gurney with a total of 139 (-3), courtesy of some devastating putting, notably in his morning round of 68.

Chesters, just back to full-time golf after his GSE's, had just 28 putts in his morning round with par saves from 30ft and more to go with his converting five birdie chances. He was paired with Sullivan and watched as Sullivan made four sixes to ruin a morning card which include six birdies.

Two of those 6s came at par fives which Sullivan can usually birdie with ease; the other two double bogeys at shorter par fours. It was a costly six again at a par five (the 6th) in the afternoon which saw Sullivan lose two shots to Chesters and cost him any chance of the Midland title.

Ron Snelling, Junior Organiser for Shropshire and Herefordshire (Chesters' home County) watched the afternoon play as the Hawkstone star added to last year's Golf Foundation U15s title but had words for Sullivan -

'He's just like Steven Webster, the same sort of character. Steve was one of the best.'

For 18 year old Sullivan, it was a second runners-up spot in a week, having taken the silver medal in the Boys section of the 72 hole Midland Youths at Stoke Rochford last Friday, for the third year in succession.

Sullivan will head to the Carris Trophy next week with every chance of being very highly placed and he will go to the British Boys in early August looking forward to really fast greens which have not been the norm at events so far this season.

Chesters will not be at the Boys -

'I forgot to enter', said Chesters, 'This morning was a special putting round - I'm normally around 32-33. I holed everything I looked at.'

He will take home the Birmingham Post & Mail Trophy which includes the name of one British Open winner in its long history - a certain A W Lyle - from Hawkstone Park.

There were some other 'disaster' holes for Warwickshire players - a flier on the 36th hole which stayed just inches in bounds for Neil Taylor, the ball ending up behind a huge stand of trees. It cost Neil possibly fourth place.

Jack Sant also could have shot a better second round (he ended with a 72) and Dale Marson would have made Top 5 but were it not for a 7 at his last hole.

Midland Boys Championships (Leading Scores)

139 Ashley Chesters (Hawkstone Park) 68, 71

142 Andy Sullivan (Maxstoke) 73, 69 Richard Gurney (Kings Norton) 73, 69

145 David Hobday (Druids Heath) 71. 74 Matthew Davies (Kington) 73, 72

146 Neil Taylor (Rugby) 72, 74

147 Andrew Cheese (Dudley) 73, 74 Jonathan Gidney 77, 70

Other Warwickshire Scores

149 Dale Marson (Rugby) & Jack Sant (Ladbrook Park)

149 Chris Doughill (Stoneleigh Deer Park)

153 Daniel Bardsley (Moor Hall)

158 Rob Browning (Maxstoke Park)

on 2005-07-15