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Sunday, 09 November 2008 |
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Despite four memorable Ryder Cups in the last 23 years it has been announced that the Quinn Insurance British Masters would not be returning to the Belfry’s famous Brabazon course, where Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño beat reigning champion Lee Westwood after a dramatic play-off on the historic 18th hole to become British Masters champion in September. As a result, the Belfry will not hold a major tour tournament in 2009.
The Brabazon is currently undergoing enhancements costing £2 million with a water feature being added to the the par-three seventh hole. Director of courses and grounds Kenny Mackay said “We’ve tweaked the course to make it more visually pleasing and added extra distance to bring it up to over 7,100 yards, alterations to other holes make it more challenging still for the best players in the world.”
Every week more than 200 club players use the same computerised teaching software as the elite, overseen by the academy’s 25 professionals. Players can also use the custom-fitting facilities to be equipped with the best clubs tailored for their own swing with nine of the game’s top manufacturers on offer. |
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Sunday, 28 September 2008 |
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Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano needed a play-off to beat Lee Westwood and deny the Englishman his defence of the British Masters at the Belfry. The pair played the 18th three times before they could be split after Westwood hit a final round 70 and the Spaniard a 67 to finish 12 under. Trading 10-foot putts on the first two play-off holes for par, Fernandez-Castano produced another to win. The Spaniard's par provided an unexpected ending, with Westwood on his return from a disappointing Ryder Cup looking favourite for the title all week. "This is probably the best victory of my four, especially beating such a player as Lee," Fernandez-Castano told reporters after celebrating his win by leaping into the Belfry's lake. New Zealand's Michael Campbell was third on 10 under par. |
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