Booth takes Senior Series

Frilford Heath’s Alistair Booth is the first winner of the new England Golf Senior Series, claiming the title by the narrowest of margins.

He was in a three-way tie after scoring 36 points on the Bracken course at Woodhall Spa, but beat Gillian Curley (Northamptonshire County) and Alan Wilson (Romsey) on countback.

However, he had a few anxious moment before his win was confirmed because he’d failed to score on his last hole. “That gave me panic stations!” he said. “To come here and play in a final at the home of England Golf, and to play well and win, is what dreams are made of.”

The six-handicapper is a keen competitor but is also heavily involved in golf administration and added: “I don’t play as much as I would like and I should practice far more than I do, so my golf blows hot and cold, but today it blew hot.” He set up his score with 20 points over his first nine holes, starting from the 10th.

He also tried to qualify for the Captains’ final – which will be played tomorrow – but missed out. Booth, the chairman of Frilford Heath Golf Club, was centenary captain there in 2008.

His other golfing interests include a seat on the England Golf Board and in addition he is President of the BB&O (Berks, Bucks & Oxon) Golf Union and the independent Chairman of the Greenkeepers’ Training Committee.