Rob Aldred from Stourbridge Golf Club receives the Hobbis Trophy from Roy Hobbis for winning the inaugural Moseley Open. After tying with Richard Sadler (Moseley) on a score of 140 (Level Par), he birdied the 6th extra hole to claim the trophy. Third was Craig Pates (Moseley) with a score of 144.

50 Golfers came from all corners of the British Isles to compete for the Hobbis Trophy; from Crowwood up in Glasgow down to South Winchester in Hampshire. The weather appeared better than forecasted with the rain holding off but the prevailing wind proved a challenge through-out the day.

The favorites on the sweep were Jamie Carney, with 2 recent wins on the Midland Order of Merit, Chris Nugent from Fulford Heath and the local scratch golfers, Richard Sadler, Paul Garey, Chris Heeley, Jon Hems and Chris Norman.

After the morning round, Craig Pates led the field with an excellent round of 69, 1 under par and 2 shots clear of local rivals Jon Hems, Chris Norman, Paul Garey and Richard Sadler on 71. Then followed Rob Aldred, the current Midlands Boys champion and Chris Nugent with 72, a respectable 2 over par. Standard Scratch was calculated 72 which showed that the course was challenging yet fair.

After lunch, the talk around the clubhouse was that an aggregate score of 140 (level par) would be the target. The morning leader Craig Pates followed up his 69 with a 75, setting the early clubhouse lead at 144. Shortly after, home favorite Richard Sadler followed up his 71 in the morning with a one-under par 69 in the afternoon, for a combined leading score of 140.

Then word started spreading around the clubhouse that Rob Aldred from Stourbridge had turned at 1 over par and was ‘getting a good score going‘ on the back nine. A finishing birdie on the 36th hole completed a 68 and a combined total of 140, to tie with clubhouse leader Richard Sadler.

A play-off ensued with the competition rules stating a 3-hole challenge, playing holes 16th, 17th and 18th and then if the scores remained equal, sudden death holes would follow.

Starting at 7:00pm with fading light, both Sadler and Aldred started with par 4s down the 16th. Play-off nerves took over down the short 17th, with Aldred scrambling for a bogey 5 whilst Sadler 3-putted for a double bogey 6. On the 18th, Sadler 2 putt for a birdie 4 whilst Aldred failed with his 15ft putt birdie effort. All square

Sudden death extra holes then followed. The 16th halved in par 4s, the same down the 17th and then the competition was finalised in near darkness when Aldred birdied the 18th, the 6th extra hole.