Worplesdon’s Ian Attoe has won the English senior men’s open amateur championship by three shots on his home course. Attoe, who has been a Worplesdon member for 40 years, had the first stirrings of the dream two years ago, when it was announced that Worplesdon and West Hill in Surrey would host this championship.
He started the final round two shots off the lead and finished three clear after scoring one-over 72 for a five-over par total. The runner-up was Andrew Atkinson (Windermere), who scored 73. Sharing third place, a further shot back, were former champion Chris Reynolds (Littlestone) and David Niven (Newbury & Crookham). Meanwhile the low score of the day was provided by Phil Sewell (Castle Royle) who went round in two-under 69 to share 13th place.
Attoe, who swapped the life of a golf club secretary to concentrate on senior golf commented, “It’s what I gave up work for. You hope you can win one event in a year and it’s beyond your wildest dreams you will win the English seniors – except you do dream!” Now, he’s looking forward to Scottish, Welsh and British senior championships.