DAVID Willmore has qualified for the final of the American Golf UK Long Drive Championship following a drive of 351 yards.

The Witney resident’s mammoth effort leaves him one step away from claiming the Over 45 national title that he was runner-up for in 2016 and 2017, along with a place in the World Championships in the US.

Willmore, 48, a construction engineer who is a member at Burford, won his local event in March, progressing to regional qualifying where he sent out a 351-yard monster to secure a spot in the national final.

He now lines up against the best long drivers in Europe at Chester Racecourse on August 2, when he battles for the national title and the only Over 45 qualifying spot for the World Championships in Oklahoma.

After finishing second in both 2016 and 2017, Willmore said: “I’m looking forward to the final, where I get to see the friends I have made along the way in American golf long-drive competitions.”

CLUB RESULTS

NORTH OXFORD

Men’s July Medal – Div 1: 1 C Varney 72-7=65, 2 D Tompkins 72-6=66, 3 M Tippett 70-4=66. Div 2: 1 D O’Donovan 82-18=64, 2 S Powell 83-17=66 (cb), 3 B Chalmers 83-17=66. Div 3: 1 J Riley 88-20=68, 2, M French 94-24=70, 3 N Dollard 90-19=71. Courage Trophy: D O’Donovan nett 64.

Seniors match: Rye Hill 4, N Oxford 2.

Midweek Stableford: 1 T Nichols 35pts (cb), 2 A Bennett 35, 3 M French 34.

Ladies’ Stableford No 7 – Silver Div: 1 J Brightman 37pts. Bronze Div: 1 M Rhymes 38. High Bronze Div: 1 H Lane 39. Centenary Trophy: 1 H Lane 39pts, 2 M Rhymes 38.

OXFORD LADIES

Lillian Barrett Charity Medal – Thursday: 1 D Roberts 83-13=70, 2 J McCairns 85-11=74, 3 M Findlay 81-7=74. Saturday: 1 C Morbey 84-16=68, 2 P Dudding 98-25=73, 3 L Halsey 101-26=75. Overall winner: C Morbey.

KIRTLINGTON

Club Championship: 1 K Crummel nett 138 (cb), 2 C Williams 139 (cb), 3 M Carr 141.

TADMARTON HEATH

Shakerley Trophy: 1 L Heath & S Heath 37pts, 2 J Fox & R Fox 31, 3 D Jones & O Jones 30 (cb).

Hiles Medal: 1 S Abell 85-20=65, 2 M Phipps 82-14=68, 3 S Dawes

103-34= 69 (cb).

Men’s Thursday stableford: 1 K Fisher (7) 39pts. 2 A Laird (2) 34, 3, R Fleming (9) 33 (cb).