Club trio take MercedesTrophy honours at Kingsbarns
Three club golfers will represent the UK against the rest of the world next year after winning the MercedesTrophy National Final.
Dean Peruzzi, Patrick Aherne and James Macey all came through a qualifying round at St George’s Hill earlier this summer before travelling to St Andrews to play at Kingsbarns, the renowned Fife course.
Each won their respective handicap category over 36 holes to secure a place at the 2017 MercedesTrophy World Final, which takes place next autumn in Stuttgart – home of Mercedes-Benz.
Peruzzi, from Norwich, won the 19+ handicap section with a total of 68 points. He said: “Being able to take part in the MercedesTrophy has been a once in a lifetime experience for me. The event was full of ‘money-can’t-buy’ moments and I am already looking forward to travelling to Germany next year.”
Bexhill-on-Sea based Aherne registered 62 points as he claimed the 11 to 18 handicap division.
The 60-year-old, who plays off 12 at Cooden Beach, added: “I entered the MercedesTrophy to have a good time and meet people. But winning the National Final is the icing on the cake for me. It was such a wonderful event – I had the time of my life!”
Macey, 37, from Taunton, won the under 10 handicap category after overcoming the blustery conditions to score 73 points over the two days’ play.
A total of 24 amateur players from across the UK took part in the MercedesTrophy National Final, which included an exclusive dinner in the R&A Clubhouse, entertainment at Glamis Castle and a quiz evening at the world famous Jigger Inn. Players stayed in the Old Course Hotel, overlooking the iconic St Andrews links.
The tournament series, established in 1989, is open to Mercedes-Benz customers who are invited to take part by their local dealership. In 2016, over 1,000 UK club golfers participated in one of the local MercedesTrophy tournaments.
Every year, more than 60,000 players tee it up in over 60 countries worldwide; all with the aim of securing a place in Germany for the World Final. The current holders of the MercedesTrophy are Team France.
For more details about the MercedesTrophy, visit www.MercedesTrophy.co.uk
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
