PGA Professional Chris Gray and his team were toasting in Turkey after a superb wire-to-wire victory in the 2013 TGI Golf Team Challenge, staged at the stunning Cornelia Golf Club.
The Cottingham Parks-based Pro and his amateurs – which included wife Carol and friends Andy and Maxine Woodhead – led from the very first round and scored 228 points over the 54-hole event to secure victory by just two points.
Played over the challenging Sir Nick Faldo-designed 27-hole complex in Belek, Antalya, Team Gray saw off the challenge of 41 other teams to take top spot in the TaylorMade-adidas Golf-sponsored event, and secured them amazing prizes courtesy of the sponsors.
“We dovetailed well as a team, and the ladies were sensational on the final day, coming in with some important scores at vital times,” said Gray. “It was an excellent trip and we will certainly be back again next year to defend our title.”
Ryan Pudney (Mundesley Golf Club) and his team of Jon Batten, Kevin Taylor and Philip Webster were in second place, while there was a tie for third with Michael Nesbit (Westerhope) and his team of Eddie Paisley, Kevin Honeybell and Mark Brewis, and Rob Glazier’s Dartmouth Golf & Country Club team of Andy Birss, Lee Marels and Paul Marels, both scoring 224.
Eddie Reid, TGI Golf Partnership Managing Director, added: “Once again the professionalism of everyone involved in this event from the planning and operational skills of the staff to the conduct of the Pros and their competitors was first class.
“The sign of a high quality event is longevity and next year the Team Challenge will celebrate its fifth anniversary. We will be returning to the Cornelia Diamond Resort and the prices will remain the same for everyone wishing to attend. Our fifth event promises to be even bigger and better than ever before.
“Congratulations to Chris Gray and his team and thank you to TaylorMade-adidas Golf for their continued support. I look forward to seeing everyone back at next year’s event with many others.”
TaylorMade-adidas Golf supplied thousands of pounds worth of prizes for the event, including 17 R1 Drivers, 14 RBZ Fairway Woods, 40 dozen Lethal Golf Balls, three pairs of adizero shoes and a day at the PGA BMW Championships at Wentworth for four. The brand also supplied each team member with shirts, gloves, caps and golf balls.
Prizes were awarded to the top four teams of the competition and to those with the best score on each of the three golf courses. There were also novelty prizes each day for nearest the pin, longest drive and nearest the pin in two.
Giles Birkhead, TMaG Regional Sales Manager for UK, Ireland, Holland and Belgium, said: “For anyone wanting to attend a first class event the TGI Team Challenge is exactly that. The Cornelia Resort provided a fantastic setting – the hotel had the highest level of accommodation, food and service, and the well manicured Kings, Queens and Princes courses proved to be a great test for golfers of all abilities.
“TaylorMade-adidas Golf are proud to be title sponsors of this event and we look forward to returning to Cornelia in 2013.”
TGI Golf www.tgigolf.com
TaylorMade www.taylormade.eu