Sands and Ramsdale reach next stage of Tour school

Sep 25 2007 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

CHESHIRE county player David Horsey led the qualifiers for the second stage of the European Tour qualifying school after topping the leaderboard at St Annes Old Links.

Fresh from his appearance in the Walker Cup, the Styal player launched his campaign to join county colleague Paul Waring (Bromborough) in the next stage of the competition to decide who will earn a 2008 Tour card in fine style.

A lengthy rain delay on the final day resulted in a late finish as darkness fell over the Lancashire course, but England international Horsey held onto the lead he had enjoyed for most of the week.

A final round of 68 – his third of four rounds which also included a 71 – gave him a 13 under par total of 275 and a three shot win over Jason McCreadie of Scotland as 36 players progressed to the next phase.

Local players Chris Sands and Mark Ramsdale finished in a share of fifth to progress.

Woolton’s Sands finished strongly with a 66 to tack onto rounds of 74 72 71 for a five under par total of 283, while Formby’s Ramsdale closed out with a 69 to go with 70 70 74.

Hillside’s Daniel Belch made the cut by one shot after refusing to let a second round 76 unsettle him.

He opened with a 69 and finished with 70 72 to finish on one under 287.

Richard Bean (Pryors Hayes) will join him after shooting 72 71 71 73, but there was disappointment for Chris Crowder (West Lancashire) after he missed out by just one shot. He had rounds of 72 76 69 71 for a level par 288, the same score as High Legh’s Ian Ridgway (78 73 68 69)

Other players to miss out included S&A’s Joel Rodwell (74 72 73 70 – 289), Houghwood’s Barry Taylor (73 73 73 71 – 290), Warrington’s Graham Cox (73 74 74 71 – 292), S&A amateur James Robinson (76 76 68 74 – 294), Royal Liverpool’s Jason Dransfield (77 75 71 74 – 297) and Bromborough’s Stephen Dixon (75 75 73 78 – 301). Delamere Forest’s Dale Marmion failed to make the last day (75 78 73 – 226).

With Section A and Section B now completed, a total of 198 player move forward to the second of the three-stage Qualifying School, which culminates in the final at The San Roque Club in Spain in November.

Stage Two will be played from November 7-10 across four venues in Spain – Arcos Gardens, Jerez’ PGA Golf de Catalunya, Girona; Golf Costa, Ballena, Cadiz and Sherry Golf, Jerez.