Galbraith fourth in Faldo Series Grand Final
Zachary Bauchou receives the trophy from Nick Faldo.
Whitehead's John-Ross Galbraith finished fourth as Virginina's Zachary Bauchou edged out the Czech Republic's Simon Zach n a dramatic sudden death play-off to win the Faldo Series Grand Final at The Greenbrier.
Bauchou (72) birdied the 18th to force a play-off with Zach (73) on two over par and then clinched the title with a tap-in par putt on the first extra hole.
Reigning champion Megan Khang (Rockland, Massachusetts), who competed in her second U.S. Women’s Open earlier in the year made it a double success for the U.S. by retaining the Girls’ Overall title.
“This victory means so much to me, I would like to thank the PGA of America and Sir Nick for giving me this amazing opportunity,” said Bauchou, who recently committed his future to Oklahoma State University.
“The amount of time that Sir Nick personally puts into this week is amazing and the international experience that I have gained from playing in the Grand Finals that he has hosted in the U.S and China has really helped me progress as a player.”
Irish Close champion Galbraith, who was third in the Under 21 competition, closed with a one over 71 to finish alone in fourth on six over with England's Paul Kinnear third on plus four.
Dun Laoghaire's Ted Collins was 28th overall and seventh in the Under 18s, Royal County Down Ladies'' Olivia Mehaffey eighth in the Girls Under 21 and 30th overaall while Lurgan's Peter Cummins was eighth in the Under 16 Boys and tied 43rd overall.
Rohan Boettcher held off a strong challenge from England’s Charlie Strickland to win the Boys’ Under-16 Division.
The 15-year-old Brazilian qualifies for the 2015 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final along with Bauchou and Khang, who will also be offered spots in a professional tour event, and Pauline Del Rosario who completed a unique Faldo Series double by adding the Girls’ Under-16 prize to the same age division title that she won at Mission Hills, China last March.
There was some consolation for Simon Zach who still won the Boys’ Under-18 division to become the first ever Czech winner of a Faldo Series title.
The 18-year-old can look forward to a second Asia Grand Final appearance in March, 2015.
Off the course players aged 12 to 21 received expert advice from Sir Nick and a number of other industry experts all week. Local school children from Greenbrier East and West schools were also present on Thursday for a golf clinic with Faldo.
Supported by The R&A, The Greenbrier, ISPS Handa, European Tour, PGA Tour, PGA of America, West Virginia Golf Association, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, CBS, Audemars Piguet and Southern Golf the 2014 Faldo Series Europe schedule features 17 tournaments in 15 countries including three in England plus others in Abu Dhabi, Ireland, Chile, Wales, Brazil, Scotland, Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia and the USA.
Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year. Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.
212 – Zachary Bauchou (USA) 69-71-72; 214 – Paul Kinnear (ENG) 71-72-71; 216 – John-Ross Galbraith (NIR) 70-75-71.
212 – Simon Zach (CZE) 69-70-73; 217 – Jack Singh Brar (ENG) 76-67-74; 221 – Jamie Dick (ENG) 74-73-74, Vince van Veen (NED) 77-75-69.
219 – Rohan Boettcher (BRA) 72-71-76; 221 – Charlie Strickland (ENG) 75-75-71; 225 – Timo Vahlenkamp (GER) 76-72-77, Colin Bowles (USA) 75-72-78.
217 – Megan Khang (USA) 76-68-73; 220 – Kelly Whaley (USA) 69-81-70, Princess Mary Superal (PHI) 69-73-78.
218 – Pauline Del Rosario (PHI) 71-74-73; 236 – Emma Spitz (AUT) 74-88-74; 237 – Lucy Walton (ENG) 77-81-79.
