Group News

Frayne wins tense play-off at returning Foremost Championships supported by TaylorMade

With the support of new sponsors, TaylorMade, Foremost Golf welcomed a fully subscribed field of 144 Foremost Head Professionals to The Oxfordshire Golf Club on Monday 23rd May, signifying the first hosting of the Championships since the onset of the pandemic.

Adam Frayne

It was Adam Frayne from Yelverton Golf Club in South Devon who triumphed in a tense play-off against the defending champion from 2019 Mark Pilkington from Porthmadog. Both players shot an impressive score of 66, six-under-par, around the stern Oxfordshire test but Frayne emerged as champion in the sudden-death playoff.

Commenting on his victory, Frayne said: “I’m delighted to have come out on top against such a strong field of players and round a golf course, in The Oxfordshire, that I’ve had a lot of success throughout my career.

“Coming through the playoff against a player of the quality of Mark, who I’ve known for a long time and grown-up playing England vs Wales International matches against, is really something to cherish.

“As a member, Foremost have always got your back. I’m thrilled to be part of such a fantastic group and now to have won the championship is a great feeling.”

Missing out by just one stroke on the leading score but taking home the Senior’s Championship prize, Simon McGreal from Bradfield College Sports Complex in Berkshire recorded the best score in the over-50’s category. McGreal’s remarkable 67 included a six-hole stretch of six-under-par, featuring a hole-out two on the par-four 8th and birdies on 6, 7, 10 and 11.

“Coming into the day I had no expectations, but I was very pleased and even a little bit surprised to perform so well,” commented McGreal. “I had worked hard on my game in the run-up to recent events with no reward but it’s always amazing how golf can turn round for you like this.

“A huge thank you to everyone at Foremost involved in running the event. As pros, we get looked after so well and it’s a fantastic event to be part of.”

Other notable scores included ex-European Ryder Cup player, Peter Baker who shot 69 to finish runner-up in the Senior’s as well as Daniel Whitby-Smith from Drayton Park Golf Club and Ewan Grimes from Hilton Park Golf Club who each shot 68 to tie for fourth overall.

Despite the intense level of competition, the event still retained its status as a friendly and relaxed day offering an opportunity to network with fellow members and the Foremost team.

Andy Martin, Foremost Managing Director, commented: “After two years away it was a delight for us to host this special event once again and see so many of our hard-working member professionals.

“With the support of TaylorMade, we’ve taken it to the next level this year and there’s no doubt that the quality of golf on display matches up to that. In Adam and Simon, we have two well-deserved winners and great Foremost members at that.”

TaylorMade was unveiled as the new event sponsor of the Foremost Professionals’ Championships, signing an agreement to support the event and Foremost members until 2024.

TaylorMade’s Vice President and Managing Director, David Silvers commented: “We’re thrilled to sponsor the Professionals’ Championships. We’re fully committed to supporting Foremost members from every area of our business, so this event is a fantastic opportunity for us to further develop our relationships with the head professionals and give something back to those who do a great job fitting and selling our products.”