After over six months of intense competition from almost 25,000 competitors, the inaugural Titleist Order of Merit Grand Final powered by HowDidiDo ended the golfing season in superb style as some of this year’s most successful club golfers from around the UK competed for divisional and Home Nation team titles at the legendary Belfry Hotel & Resort.
In the fifth staging of the annual Titleist Order of Merit, one of the biggest golf competitions in Europe, the end-of-season Grand Final provided a unique tournament-style climax to further elevate the year-long competition and decide the 2015 Champions in dramatic fashion. Golfers competed for their place in the Grand Final by participating in medal competitions at their home clubs throughout the season, with rankings being determined by each player’s five best medal rounds.
40 of the country’s leading club golfers, who had finished at the top the Order of Merit standings for their division within each of the four Home Nations, qualified to compete over the famous Brabazon layout, and follow in the footsteps of golfing legends at the World’s only four-time Ryder Cup host venue.
Titleist, long-time presenting partner of the HowDidiDo Order of Merit, fully supported the event to make sure that all competitors were given that extra special ‘Tour Player Experience’. The Titleist Tour Truck was on-site at the Belfry’s impressive PGA National Golf Academy to allow players the opportunity to meet the club technicians and sample the treatment received by the world’s leading players, week-in-week-out across the globe.
Alongside this, the expert team of Titleist fitters were on hand to provide competitors with the opportunity to go through a full golf ball fitting from the #1 ball in golf, a process which helps golfers find the best Titleist golf ball to suit their game and maximise performance from the only piece of equipment used on every shot. Players also had the opportunity to trial the very latest line of products from Titleist, including the outstanding 915 metals, and newly launched 716 irons and 816 hybrids.
After an intense day of competition, it was ultimately the Irish team who were crowned as the inaugural Home Nation Champions, after putting together an impressive combined team nett score to storm to victory. For the individual divisional prizes, England’s Jo Morris steered her way to a one shot victory over a number of players to claim the overall title and become the 2015 Titleist Order of Merit Champion.
With the victory, Jo won herself a full Titleist iron fitting and a Titleist Tour bag for the new irons, as well as Titleist golf balls. All of the other six divisional winners walked away with a Titleist stand bag, Titleist golf balls and a FootJoy glove, alongside the selection of gifts from the event’s supporting partners on the day.
By qualifying, the finalists not only received a round of golf on The Brabazon, but also experienced The Belfry’s first class dining at the Gala Dinner in the evening, followed by an overnight stay in one of the 319 signature rooms, and access to the world-class Leisure Club and Spa.
The event as a whole received extensive acclaim from competitors and sponsors alike, all of whom praised the immaculate conditioning of the Brabazon, as well as the luxurious surroundings and first rate service of The Belfry Hotel & Resort.
Barry Dyett, Managing Director at Howdidido, commented on the incredible growth of the competition: “The Order of Merit has gone from strength to strength since its inception over five years ago and we now believe that with the Grand Final we have an end of season event that captures the spirit and standing of the competition perfectly. We are extremely proud to offer such a popular event for golfers across the year, and we hope that even more golfers will want to win their place at next year’s Grand Final and represent their Home Nation.”
Dyett was full of praise for the support of long-term HowDidiDo partners, Titleist: “Titleist have always been a fantastic partner for HowDidiDo, and are always looking for new and exciting ways to engage with our users. The fact that they were able to bring the Tour Truck along to the Grand Final, and provide the finalists with unique opportunities to experience life as a Tour Pro, just underlines their commitment.”
Dyett also thanked the host venue: “It was such a huge honour to host this at such a historic venue, and The Belfry did not disappoint, it provided the perfect setting for the whole event. From the incredible golf course, to the exceptional facilities and first class levels of service, we could not have asked for more from a host of the first-ever Grand Final.”
Matthew Johnson, Titleist Brand Director, explained the natural synergy between the competition and the Titleist brand: “The Order of Merit is designed to find golfers around the UK that are dedicated to playing the best golf that they can, a desire which sits perfectly with Titleist. We are devoted to producing golf balls and equipment that will provide golfers with the best chance of performing to their highest levels, so it is great for us to have the opportunity to engage with some of the UK’s most committed golfers.”
Updates regarding entries for next year’s HowDidiDo Order of Merit and how you could win your place at the Grand Final will be posted on the HowDidiDo website early next year – www.HowDidiDo.com
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