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Paul Waring and England Deaf Golf team defend European titles

Paul Waring and the England Deaf Golf team successfully defend their titles at the European Deaf Open Golf Championships in Oslo, Norway, which took place from Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 August. 

The European Deaf Golf Championships 2015 took place in Oslo, Norway from 13 - 15 August. Over three days, the 36 hole stokeplay event (2 rounds) including one practice round was played over the challenging and hilly championship golf course at Hauger GolfKlubb.

This year's Championships is the first time that two English female deaf golfers competed in the event. 19 year old Lydia Ingman, on her international deaf golf debut came second in the ladies scratch event, after battling back from 9 shots behind after the first round to force a playoff with a stunning bunker shot at the last hole. Lydia was beaten on the first extra hole in the playoff by Andrea Hjellegjerde of Norway. Donna Cross came fourth, which will put her in good stead for future international deaf golf events.

In the men's individual competition England's Paul Waring (pictured above) had a fantastic first round up to 17 holes, where he was two under par gross overall, only to be destroyed by an eight on the last hole. However this still left him four shots ahead of Jay Stally (England) who shot 78 and five shots ahead of Steven Cafferty (Scotland). One of the pre-tournament favourites Hans Elgaard of Denmark shot 80.

The second round was played in more windy conditions than the first, with Paul, Jay and Steven all playing in the final group. Probably a first to have deaf golfers from the UK in the last group of a Championship final round. Low rounds of 77 from Hans Elgaard and David Barber (Finland) threatened podium place chances.

Paul battled on after struggling with a few putts early on to win the individual competition by five shots from Hans Elgaard and seven shots from Jay Stally. This is Paul's second European Deaf Golf Open Championship title in a row, after winning it for the first time in Finland 2013.

In the men's team competition, thanks to a quick start from Paul Waring and Jay Stally supported by Mike Burris and Martin Anderson, took England Team A were nine shots ahead of Denmark after round one. Denmark improved their scores in the second round but it was not enough for them to overtake England, who won the team event for the second time in a row by nine shots.

England B and England C teams also took part in the mens team competition and finished in sixth and seventh place respectively. The Championships are  valuable experience for the squad members, and will put them in better stead for future international golf competitions.

Commenting on England's performance at the Championships Ben Stephens, Chairman at England Deaf Golf said:

"This has been overall a fantastic trip from England Deaf Golf standpoint with 3 podium finishes for England which is a first. I would also like to thank our supporters who travelled to Norway to support us as they are just as important as the players. I hope this experience will put England Deaf Golf Team in good stead for next year's World Deaf Golf Championships in Copenhagen Denmark, where we aim to improve on our runners up position in the team event."

The England Deaf Golf squad

England Team A

  • Michael Burris, captain (Forest Hills GC, Glos)
  • Martin Anderson (Kilnwick Percy GC, Yorks)
  • Jay Stally (Seaford GC, East Sussex)
  • Paul Waring (Felixstowe Ferry GC, Suffolk)


England Team B

  • Marc Murphy, captain (Birchwood Park GC, Essex)
  • Richard Le Page (Brocton Hall GC, Staffs)
  • Michael Roberts (Knole Park GC, Kent)
  • Ben Stephens (Rutland Water GC, Rutland)


England Team C

  • Peter Baker, captain (Ellesmere Port GC, Merseyside)
  • Spencer Neal (Hinckley GC, Leics)
  • Paul Whitehouse (Billingham GC, Teesside)
  • Keith Wilkinson (Droitwich GC, Worcs)

Ladies

  • Donna Cross (Bradley Park GC, Yorks)
  • Lydia Ingman (Bondhay GC, Notts)

Photo credit: Leaderboard

To find out more about the England Deaf Golf Association click here.
UK Deaf Sport encourages people who are deaf or hard of hearing to participate, enjoy and excel at sport.