'Delighted' Hay wins Deer Park Masters play-off
02/08/2017
Gavin Hay could not hide his delight after capturing his first PGA Scotland Tartan Tour Order of Merit tournament win in the 2017 Emtec Group Deer Park Masters.
Hay, who is based at Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club in the Highlands, followed up his first round 67 with a one-under-par 71 to enter a three-man play-off against Clydeway Golf’s Graham Fox (68-70) and Bishopbriggs Golf Range’s Robert Arnott (67-71).
The trio all finished on six-under-par 138 and headed down the first hole again in search of victory. But it was Hay who secured victory with a birdie at the first extra hole.
It was his fourth Tartan Tour win of the season, all within a six-week span and it also earned Hay £2,520 – the biggest cheque of his career.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won my first order of merit tournament title. I came into the final day confident of being able to post a score as I was just one back.
“The weather wasn’t particularly kind to us with the rain throughout the round but I managed to post a score.
“I’d made a bogey and missed a couple of chances for birdie in my closing holes of normal play but I was confident heading into the play-off.
“I was up against a couple of big names and experienced players so to come out on top is brilliant.
This year marked the 14th staging of the event at Deer Park Golf and Country Club in Livingston with a total of 50 PGA professionals and 300 amateurs taking part.
Alan Tait, the club’s general manager, added: “I’m proud to say the Deer Park Masters has been a fantastic success and I’m delighted to congratulate Gavin Hay as the winner.
“Having taken over my new position in May, I was keen to make this the biggest and best Emtec Group Deer Park Masters yet for my fellow PGA professionals. All of the feedback I’ve received from the participants has been fantastic and they were all raving about the condition of the golf course.
“Special thanks has to go to the green-keeping team, as well as the staff inside the club, who worked tirelessly over the last few days to make this event a great success. I’m already looking forward to trying to top this year in 2018.”
It was also a an event to remember for Geig Hutcheon who was made an honorary lifetime membership of Deer Park Golf and Country Club in Livingston.
The Banchory man is a five-time winner of the Emtec Group Deer Park Masters and was awarded lifetime membership of the club on Wednesday in recognition of his achievements in the event.
“This is an absolutely fantastic honour,” said Hutcheon. “To receive honorary lifetime membership at a course I love is amazing. I always love coming here and I really didn’t expect this.
“I always ask if I can roll Deer Park up in my pocket and take it wherever I go. I love the course and it keeps getting better every year.”
Hutcheon entered this year’s Deer Park Masters as defending champion following his record fifth victory in 2016 and he came close to getting his name on the trophy once again, finishing one shot back in a tie for fourth.
“I played well yesterday but left a few out there. Today was the toughest I have ever seen Deer Park play and I managed to shoot 3-under-par and give myself a fighting chance. I came up short but being awarded this is almost better than winning.”
Alan Tait, general manager at Deer Park Golf and Country Club and a PGA professional, said: "Through his wins, Greig has been a fantastic ambassador for Deer Park Golf and Country Club and speaks affectionately about the event and Deer Park wherever he goes on his travels.
"For me, this was a terrific way to say thank you to him for his support over the years but most importantly, recognising his wonderful accomplishment in winning this event so many times."
