PAUL BROADHURST of England left Portugal last Sunday with a cheque for more than 200,000 euros to bank. Broadhurst carded 13 under par for the four rounds of the Caixa Geral de Depósitos-sponsored Estoril Open de Portugal at the Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golf Course in Cascais.
Last Thursday started bright but breezy and certainly helped to push up some of the carded scores with the strong crosswinds. Friday was equally as bright, but with less of a breeze which suited most players. By then, Portugal’s José Filipe Lima was level with Broadhurst on an aggregate 134, 8 under par, but some of the high scoring players failing to make the cut meant an early exit home.
Saturday’s weather wasn’t good, with driving rain and high winds that held up play for some time, but credit must be given to the organisers and greenkeepers, who soon had the greens fit for play.
Sunday was the final day of the Open with perfect weather for the golfers. With holes running short, the match was a fight between Broadhurst, Paul Lawrie and Lima, and, on the 18th green, all three players were applauded for probably one of the finest Open matches Portugal has witnessed for many a year. The three players were left with puttable shots.
It was Portugal’s Lima who holed his six-metre shot to earn him resounding applause from the many Portuguese spectators, but it was Broadhurst who had the biggest smile, after holing his final shot and collecting the cup and winner’s cheque, while Lawrie from Scotland came second and Lima third.
Broadhurst thanked the sponsors and organisers, singling out the greenkeepers for the near-perfect state of the course after the rain and the volunteer army that it takes to run and organise such an event.
The Resident spoke to Broadhurst and asked him what the conditions were like on the course. He said Thursday was a “toughie”, but with the drop in wind on Friday afternoon, it meant there was a good score to be had – he proved this by carding a 66. He commented on the excellent organisation of the event and said credit should be given to all concerned. He added that he was looking forward to coming back next year.
At the award ceremony, there was a minute’s silence in remembrance of Pope John Paul II. Bob Hughes
