Nespresso Trophy: Mere report

The second Nespresso Trophy UK Challenge Regional Qualifier took place on Tuesday at The Mere in Cheshire after a hugely successful event at Woburn the week before.

Despite the overcast conditions, 40 pairs and 80 competitors turned up to take on the Mere - one of the finest courses in the North West.

Players were afforded the customary warm Nespresso welcome and a hearty breakfast before taking to the course.

The Mere was in excellent condition and despite off-and-on rain, relatively strong breezes and limited run on the fairways, the scoring was exceptional.

Simon Farmer and Darryl Walters, off four and five respectively, stole the show with a magnificent 44-point 3/4-handicap total.

They finished two points clear of 15-handicapper Steve Chapman and Martin Routley, off nine, who overcame a slight back-nine wobble to force their way into the top two.

Both pairs will now head to San Sebastian, Spain, in October for an unique and exclusive 'meet Jose Maria Olazabal' event, and both were effusive in their praise for the prize and the event in general.

Simon, whose partner unfortunately missed the presentation due to work commitments, said:

"It feels absolutely fantastic. I've been a huge fan of Jose Maria Olazabal's for many, many years and it'll be a dream come true to be there. I'm probably going to be a complete pain and prepare some questions to ask him!

"I've played in the Nespresso Trophy at the Mere before and it's a fantastic day. Nespresso are very generous with their hospitality so it was great just to be selected. But to have qualified and be going to Spain is just absolutely brilliant."

Steve and Martin were also thrilled with their prize and glowing in their praise for the all-round Nespresso Trophy experience.

"It doesn't get any better than this. It's unbelievable! It's hard to describe how I feel. We came here with no expectations but just gelled together brilliantly today," said Steve.

Darryl, Simon, Steve and Martin will join Diedrick Oppeman, Simon Svender-Cain, Steven Aylott and John Barnes - who qualified at Woburn - at the prized event in San Sebastian.

There were also individual prizes on offer, and Allister Hill (37 points) and Gillian Lane (27) took home Galvin Green and Mere tops for their best male and female individual stableford scores.

Eileen Murphy and Garry Winstanley won the female and male longest drives, and Ian Tomlinson claimed the nearest the pin accolade for his brilliant approach to the 14th.

The day was attended by 35 Nespresso Club members and their guests and five Golf Monthly readers and their partners.

Gary Townley, a Golf Monthly attendee, said the Nespresso Trophy regional was the best golf day he'd ever been to.

"I've played in many of these days and the question I always ask myself is how could it have been better. The answer this time, for the first time, is never. It's been an absolutely fantastic, money-can't-buy experience. A huge thank you to Nespresso and Golf Monthly."

Nespresso Trophy member Stephen Eddie, who got married at the Mere and turned up out of practice after a weekend sojourn at Glastonbury, summed up the general feeling of the day:

"It's been absolutely brilliant, from the moment I walked through the door. The welcome was fantastic and everything has been run brilliantly."

The Nespresso Club provides members with some exceptional experiences, including the trip to San Sebastian and the chance to play with brand ambassador Jose Maria Olazabal during the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth.

The final Nespresso Trophy Regional Qualifier takes place at Foxhills in Surrey on Wednesday July 10.

For all the latest information, updates and results, head to the Nespresso Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nespresso?fref=ts