Brilliant Barras wins iGolf Open
Robert Barras was crowned the 2024 iGolf Open champion at The National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa after an excellent 37 Stableford points, playing off 19, on the Bracken Course kicked off England Golf Week in style.
Following the success of the inaugural iGolf Open in 2023, the series was back again for 2024, but bigger and better than ever.
This year, 94 competitors battled it out across three regional qualifiers at Ealing, Hatchford Brook and Sand Moor, with the top-12 at each event progressing to the grand final at Woodhall Spa.
In total, 36 players contested the final on the challenging Bracken Course, where on a scorching day in Lincolnshire, it was Barras who lit up the leaderboard.
The 18-handicapper fired four of his five pars on the back-nine to finish on 37 points, two clear of the rest of the field.
He admitted: “It’s fantastic! A great day, a great event, I’m just buzzing, I can’t believe it – 37 points and what a cracking course!
“I started off well, the first hole, I was on the green for two, I pared that and then it just gave me the confidence to carry on hitting the fairways and the greens.”
Speaking about why he joined iGolf, Barras added: “I joined because I play a lot of golf courses and a lot of my friends are members. I like the variety of golf so I haven’t joined a golf club but having the iGolf membership enabled me to get a handicap.”
When asked about why he entered the iGolf Open event, Barras said:
“I think we all like competitions don’t we! The great thing about the handicap system is that you can have someone playing off 6 or 8, playing with someone like me who is off 18 and it all evens itself out.
“I loved the atmosphere of the regionals, getting everyone together and having that bit of banter, but at the end of the day trying to play your best.
“I’ve met some great people and it’s great to see lots of golfers having fun and trying to beat their personal best. I wouldn’t miss this for the world!”
Darren Baker finished 2nd with 35 points thanks to two birdies and three pars, one point ahead of Milorad Jelic in 3rd.
Meanwhile, Chelcie Lawrie made history by claiming back-to-back titles for the leading female iGolfer after bagging 30 points playing off 12.
iGolfers also got to enjoy some fun golf challenges along the way including a putting challenge, a chipping challenge, nearest the pin and a longest drive.
It was double delight for Lawrie as she also picked up the prize for the longest drive. Kevin Colby (putting challenge), Paul Dalby (chipping challenge) and Kirit Patel (nearest the pin) were the winners of the other three challenges.
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Regional Recap: Discover How Our Finalists Qualified
While 2023 saw The National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa host the inaugural iGolf Open, 2024 saw England Golf introduce three regional iGolf Open qualifiers.
Ealing, Hatchford Brook and Sand Moor all played host to tournaments, with 94 competitors looking to book one of the 36 spots avalible in the iGolf Open Final at Woodhall Spa.
6-handicapper Christopher Colenso topped the pile at Ealing with 37 Stableford points thanks to three birdies and eight pars, to edge Arthur Mellule on 36 points and Thanawat Putcharatechapisuth on 35.
Darren Baker and Ross Carson finished as co-leaders of the Hatchford Brook event with 40 points apiece, with Ben Smith 3rd on 38. Helen Whalley, Robert Barras, Omasan Ortisesan and David Beach finished tied-4th on 36 points.
Michael Buckley was the top performer at Sand Moor with 35 points ahead of Simon Fawcett and March Roach who were tied-2nd on 31 points.
iGolf Open Event 2023 Highlights
The inaugural iGolf Open Event was a resounding triumph as iGolfers from around the country gathered at The National Golf Centre to take on The Hotchkin course.
Beyond the thrilling rounds on this iconic course, participants relished the opportunity to connect with fellow iGolfers, enjoying the sense of community key to iGolf.
Watch the days highlights and hear from competitors about their experience at the iGolf Open.
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Got questions about the iGolf Open Event series? We’re here to help!
Please email our dedicated support team via igolf@englandgolf.org.