ZAK Gregory scored a memorable eagle two on the 328-yard 15th hole at Denton on his way to his first-ever major victory as he lifted Mr Captain’s Prize.
The 20-year-old painter and decorator from Denton produced a monster drive to the back of the green and then holed a 15-foot putt.
The eagle stood out as Zak had nett rounds of 77-7-70 and 78-7-71 on consecutive days during Captain’s Weekend for a two-round total of 141.
And it earned Zak a two-shot margin of victory over Amir Nazir (143) who was runner-up on the card from Darren Greenhough.
“It was a proud moment. Not only was it my first major won, but first competition victory as an adult,” explained Zak who admitted to having a “heavy night” celebrating.
Zak, whose handicap has been cut to five, was introduced to golf as a six-year-old by his father Andrew and late uncle Dave Gregory, both members at Denton.
“I used to walk around the course with them with a club in hand and trying to hit the ball,” he reflected.
Zak’s job takes him all over the country which disrupts his golf.
But he attributes his lowest-ever handicap as down to quarterly lessons with his new coach Sean Blinkhorn who is based at Leigh and practise.
Zak added his father, a 14-handicapper could join him as a first-time major winner this weekend.
Andrew has won through to the final of The Victory, the club’s singles matchplay knockout, which is on Sunday (Sept 26).
The first-day winner was Darren Leith (63) from Gareth Johnson (65) and Trevor Horton (67).
Second-round honours went to David Urmston (70), Nigel Doyle and Mark Alexander (both 71).
SUE Thompson overcame adversity to claim a major victory in Mr Captain’s Prize for the Ladies Section.
Two years ago, Sue, 60, fell down the stairs at her home in Dukinfield and broke both wrists, a terrible injury for a golfer to sustain.
She said: “I had to suspend my membership for 12 months and then Covid struck.
“When I was recovering during Covid, I had a mat in the garden so I could practise.
“This year I was determined to do well and have practised and practised. It has worked as it has been my best-ever year in terms of playing consistently.
“It is the biggest competition I have won at Denton. I was thrilled and was quite emotional afterwards.”
This was Sue’s third major win at Denton where she had previously lifted President’s Prize and the Whittaker Bowl.
Prior to that, Sue, who works at a doctors’ practice, was a multiple major winner at previous club Houldsworth.
Sue, who plays off 21, had a nett 74 which was three shots clear of runner-up Hazel Hathaway. Third was Sheila McDonald (78).
“The winning score and others were not that low. The greens had just had work done on them and were lightning fast which was the reason,” she explained.
Mr Captain’s Prize for the Seniors went to David Schofield with a score of 39 points in the Stableford. Second was Ian Lowe (38) while third place went to Trevor Taylor (37).
The Mixed Myers Trophy, also a major, was won by Pat Coleman and Nathan Graham with a medal score of 67.5.
Runners-up in the pairs competition were Nicola Kerr and Connor Sutton (70).