Yorkshire's David Hague enjoys European success with England

MALTON & Norton's David Hague helped England sweep to victory in the European Team Championship at Sotogrande, Spain, their margin a hugely impressive 20 shots.
Malton & Norton's David Hague with, l-r, Todd Clements in his winner's jacket, Gian-Marco Petrozzi and Matthew Jordan.Malton & Norton's David Hague with, l-r, Todd Clements in his winner's jacket, Gian-Marco Petrozzi and Matthew Jordan.
Malton & Norton's David Hague with, l-r, Todd Clements in his winner's jacket, Gian-Marco Petrozzi and Matthew Jordan.

Hague’s team-mates were Gian-Marco Petrozzi, of Trentham, Royal Liverpool’s Matthew Jordan and Braintree’s Todd Clements, the latter taking the individual title by five strokes.

The foundations for the triumph were laid on the first day when England’s best three scores totalled seven under par and they led by 11 shots.

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Despite tricky, windy conditions England were relentless in pursuit of the crown and by the halfway point had stretched the advantage to 21.

Round three saw them pegged back slightly, but they still took a 15-shot lead into the final day and confirmed their domination with a 10-under-par team total in the last round.

They finished on 11 under overall with closest challengers Ireland nine over and Denmark, in third place, 16 over.

England Golf’s Gareth Jenkins was team manager and paid tribute to the players’ scoring skills and the preparation masterminded by Yorkshireman Graham Walker, head professional at The Oaks.

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“The team was just fabulous in the way they dominated,” said Jenkins.

“We had two outstanding days of preparation. Graham has been here many times, he’s very experienced and knows how conditions can become very tricky. We had a very good strategy of hitting into zones and it was absolutely spot on.

“The boys followed through and they played magnificently. They came into it really well prepared, able to control the ball flight and their short game was outstanding.”

The championship was contested by 16 countries and this was England’s seventh win, their previous victories scored in 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015.