Hamill at the double at inaugural TGI Golf Travel Masters

Lisburn PGA Professional Stephen Hamill completed an outstanding double at the inaugural TGI Golf Travel Masters, in association with Titleist and FootJoy, as he collected both the team and individual prize at the stunning Praia D’el Rey Resort in Portugal.

The Irishman shot level par on day one around the beautiful and challenging West Cliffs Course, followed by a one-under-par return around the Praia D’el Rey Course to win by seven stableford points.

His amateur team of Errol Jenkins, Frank Flynn and Nigel Price showed similar consistency as they shot the same score of 84 points on both days to lift the trophy by six points.

“It’s a brilliant feeling to come to the first staging of this event and walk off with both trophies,” said Hamill. “The team played remarkably well, we normally come away to these kind of events and play resort courses, but the West Cliffs course is a true Championship Course, so it was a real test for everyone.

“Fortunately we managed to hold our own and it was great to watch my team playing so well, things didn’t always go our way, but we rallied at the right moments which gave us all a lift and saw us home.”

The event gave Partners of TGI Golf – golf’s leading retail services group – the opportunity to bring guests away for a few days on Portugal’s picturesque Silver Coast to play for some great prizes and go through a full Tour Player experience from Titleist and FootJoy.

The team from Moor Hall GC of Andrew Blackwell, Chris Stokes, Scott Hansell, led by PGA Cup Captain Cameron Clark (Moor Hall GC) had an astonishing second round, scoring 90 points, which saw them leap frog nine teams to finish as runners up, while another Irish team, from Tullamore Golf Club of PGA Pro Bernard Quigley, Richard Brophy, David O’Reilly and David Osborne claimed third spot.

In the Pro event, Louth Golf Club Teaching Professional John Armstrong claimed the runners-up spot, while Rochford Hundred GC PGA Professional Michael Vandenberg finished third.

Spencer Manning, Titleist UK & Ireland Area Sales Manager, said: “The inaugural TGI Golf Travel Masters was a great success. The setting was spectacular and gave both the Titleist and FJ brands the opportunity to spend quality time with both TGI Partners and their guests.

“We provided a personal fitting experience incorporating Titleist golf balls and clubs together with FJ shoes and gloves aimed at helping golfers understand more about their equipment and both brands. We would like to thank TGI Golf for its continued strong partnership and for the invitation to support the event together with the engagement of everyone that attended which made it such a memorable week.”

Eddie Reid, TGI Golf Managing Director, added: “Congratulations to Stephen and his Lisburn team for an excellent win and a huge thank you to everyone who took part.

“This was the first time we have run this event and it was amazing to see so many amateurs enjoying the Tour Pro experience laid on by our sponsors Titleist and FootJoy.

“The whole trip was organised and executed by the TGI Golf Travel team and it was a tremendous opportunity to showcase their skills and services. They have been extremely busy since we launched the company just over 12 months ago and having listened to feedback this week I think they are about to get even busier!”