Golfers from Surrey and Yorkshire swept up the prizes on a dream trip to Florida for the Travelbag Invitational, run in partnership with England Golf.
Peter Smart, John Hennessy, Jacqui Smiter-Green and Rob Pountney from Pyrford Golf Club, near Woking, Surrey, won the team prize by eight points. With their best three scores counting on each hole, they amassed 214 points after 36 holes in glorious conditions at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando.
Pountney also won the men’s individual prize with 75 points, while Karen Andrews of Waterton Golf Club, near Wakefield, Yorkshire, was the women’s winner on 65 points.
Karen was encouraged to take up golf about 10 years ago by her husband, Glyn, a lifelong player. They’ve played in the Team Championship since it started in 2015 and Glyn commented: “'We play various competitions around the UK, and I'd say the Team Championship has got better every year we've played it.
“Travelbag's involvement has obviously raised the bar this time - it's been a really special experience to come out here to play at such a great resort. We look forward to entering again next year!”
The winners came through an initial entry of over 400 players and took their places in Florida after winning through a regional qualifying round and the national final of the Travelbag Team Championship at England Golf Week.
Paul Hopkinson, Marketing Director at Travelbag commented: “We’re so pleased that the golfers have enjoyed the Travelbag Team Championships this year.
“To cap it off with the Travelbag Invitational in Florida has provided us with a perfect end to this year’s activity with England Golf. We were very confident that our partners at Rosen Shingle Creek could deliver an experience of a lifetime to our golfers and their guests, and from what I hear, they have done just that.”
“Travelbag and England Golf would like to thank all competitors to this year’s Travelbag Team Championship for making it a memorable competition.