To casual observers, it might have seemed it was a fait accompli that Daniel Bullen would capture his third consecutive club championship at Goswick Golf Club on Sunday — after he fired a 6-under-par 66 on Saturday.
Rest assured, he didn’t see it that way.
“The past two years, I was three shots behind after the first round,” said Bullen. “This time, I was three ahead, which is a completely different feeling altogether. I think it made me a little bit more nervous. There are a lot of very good players at Goswick. It wouldn’t have surprised me if someone else had won.”
That was especially true after Bullen misfired on a 6-iron on the tee of the par-3 13th hole, sending his ball into the deep rough behind the 12th green never to be seen again. He put his provisional on the green and holed out for a double-bogey 5, perhaps planting a seed of doubt.
But Bullen regrouped down the stretch, closing out his round with three straight birdies to post a second-round 69 for a total of 135. That was seven shots ahead of second-place Paul Holloway, who closed with a fine 70 after recording an even-par 72 in the first round.
Aside from that one hiccup and two other bogies over the 36 holes, Bullen’s game was clearly hitting on cylinders. On his other 33 holes, he posted 11 birdies and one eagle — off the strength of a drive and a pitching wedge into the par-5 17th in the first round.
“I felt quite good this weekend,” he said. “I was comfortable off the tee. I didn’t use my driver as much given how hard and fast the course is playing right now. But I have a 2-iron that I quite like so I hit that just about everywhere. I’m very happy with where my game is right now.”
If that trend continues, Bullen could have a real shot at advancing in his first-ever attempt at regional qualifying for The Open Championship — to be held at Goswick on Monday 26th June. He’s paired with David Clark, who led the way in the qualifier a year ago with a 5-under-par 67. That was from the blue tees, not the whites as played in the club championship.
“I prefer the blues, in all honesty,” said Bullen. “It makes some tee shots easier for me. If I hit driver on certain white tees, it brings bunkers and other things like that into play. I’m looking forward to the qualifier. If I don’t get through, I don’t get through. I just want to have a decent showing and not disgrace myself.”
Now that sounds like a fait accompli.
Meanwhile, Morris McGonigle claimed the B Category title with gross scores of 81-78-159. Alan Miller was just a shot behind with 83-77-160.
In the C Category, Alan Houghton set the pace with gross scores of 87-90-177, followed by Robin Rourke with 93-101-194.
Among the ladies, Sandra McGonigle (with gross scores of 86-84-170) outlasted Janis Davison (95-81-176).
In addition, low-net performances were acknowledged on both the gents’ and ladies’ sides of the ledger. Claiming those honours were Holloway with a net 142 and and Bobbie Minshull with a net 148.
Well done to all who competed and helped to make it one of the truly special weekends of the season.