The prestigious KHG Funds Senior Open – sponsored by MBL Financial – went right down to the wire in the third and final round at Ramsey Golf Club on September 4. The final round was played in glorious sunshine and all the golfers enjoyed the usual KHG hospitality before the claxon sounded. A number of players started the day with a chance of winning the tournament, but after all the scorecards were counted David Murray and John Fenlon ended the tournament tied with a score of 112. Murray won the title on back nine count-back and the best score on the day. He was presented with a magnificent engraved crystal trophy, a very special bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne in a presentation box, and a voucher for a fabulous weekend away at a UK golf venue of his choice. Murray said: “I’m extremely proud to be the 2014 winner. I’ve really enjoyed the tournament. It’s well organised and great fun. Thank you to everyone involved.”

This year, for the first time in the tournament’s history, there was a prize for the overall ladies winner and this resulted in a record number of ladies taking part. Throughout the tournament the competition was extremely close, and going into the final round a number of players were in contention to win the overall prize. This year’s Ladies Champion was Gwen Tuck who won by the small margin of two points with a combined score of 102. Gwen received an engraved crystal trophy, and the customary magnum of pink Champagne.

The Ramsey round winners and runners-up were as follows:
 
• Seniors winner: Brian Mellor – 39pts
• Seniors runner-up: Gerry Ganly – 38pts
• Super Seniors winner: Brian Reid – 41 pts
• Super Seniors runner-up: John Shallcross – 39pts
• Nearest the Pin winner: Peter Crebbin

As in the first two rounds, there was a ‘Beat the Pro’ challenge to raise funds for Hospice Isle of Man. For every player whose shot beat the pro’s effort on a specific hole, Creechurch Capital – KHG Funds investment manager – agreed to donate ?100. No-one beat the pro at Ramsey, but the ?700 already raised in the first two rounds was topped-up to ?1,000. During the speech to announce the donation, one of KHG Funds’ non-executive Directors challenged Creechurch Chief Executive John Greenwood to accept an ice bucket challenge. He duly accepted, and his challenger agreed to donate ?100 per bucket to Hospice. Ten icy drenchings later and the final fundraising total for Hospice had reached a magnificent ?2,000. John Greenwood has now challenged two of KHG Funds partners – Steve McGowan of SMP Partners and Clive Dixon from Moore Stephens – to do the challenge and match the ?1,000 raised for the charity.

Following the day’s play there was time for Pimms on the clubhouse terrace in glorious sunshine before the 100 players and guests moved inside for a meal and prize presentation. It was announced on the evening that Creechurch will be arranging a junior golf tournament next year in memory of the late Roy Merrill to run alongside the Senior Open. Roy was a keen supporter of the KHG Golf tournament and he undertook a number of charitable activities which he did discreetly and modestly. The winner of the junior event will enter the highly successful Creechurch Sports Academy which has helped a number of local young people in recent years – including the current Isle of Man Sportswoman of the Year Yasmin Ingham.
 
John Greenwood, Chief Executive Officer at Creechurch Capital, commented: “The winner of the junior tournament will receive a substantial financial package which will provide them with golf lessons, equipment and travel to a number of UK competitions. The junior tournament will provide a springboard for a young member of our community to enhance their game and compete at the highest level. We are honoured to run the tournament in Roy’s name and we aim to carry on Roy’s legacy for a number of years by supporting a sport that he was immensely fond of.”

Photo - John Greenwood, Chief Executive Officer of Creechurch Capital, takes the ice bucket challenge after the final round of the KHG Funds Senior Open at Ramsey Golf Club and raises a further ?1,000 for Hospice Isle of Man.