West Midlands: Club golfer shoots 59 to win Banbury Town Cup

James Burton broke 60 and his own course record at Tadmarton Heath to retain the Banbury Town Cup.

The 37-year-old carded 10 birdies and no bogeys on his way to a flawless gross 59 in Sunday’s open medal competition.

“I hadn’t played for three weeks,” said the one-handicapper. “The last time I played my putting was terrible, so I re-gripped my putter and lengthened it and it certainly made a difference.”

Burton began with five birdies in six holes. He went to the turn in 28 and had a further four birdies on the inward nine to come back in 31.

‘I didn’t know what I had finished with until my playing partners told me in the end.’ He said: “I sank a 20ft putt on the first green which was probably the longest putt I had all day and that settled my nerves. I holed good putts on the next three holes and my confidence grew. I’m just really pleased that I kept it going. 

“After the 12th hole I decided not to think about my overall score and I genuinely didn’t know what I had finished with until my playing partners told me in the end. I think they were more excited than I was.”

Burton became an assistant professional when he left school but realised it wasn’t for him and returned to playing golf for fun when he was in his mid-20s. His previous course record of 62 came in a Stableford round.

The ladies’ Bache Hay Cup was won by Margaret Moggridge with a nett 72 on count back from Caroline Wheatley.