Cort blooms again in the spring time
PRO COMPLETES THE DOUBLE AT CORNISH FESTIVAL
MATTHEW Cort’s special relationship with spring time at one of the country’s most magnificent, magical golfing venues blossomed again this year, writes Jennifer Prentice.
On three courses, he completed the double again at the 2022 Carlsberg Marston’s Cornish Festival.
He tied as the top professional with his nine-under-par 204 total in the individual section and led the winning team in scintillating style.
There were more than 100 competing professionals who each led three amateurs.
In the individual section, Cort headed the top line-up for the second time in the last few years.
This is a tough start to the year for the hundreds of golfers playing the courses in turn over the three days, ending in a challenging climax.
Cort launched his bid for success with his five-under-par 67 round at The Point, Polzeath.
He followed up with a fourunder-65 at St Enadoc – which he describes as “one of my favourite courses anywhere in the country” – and then shot a level par 72 on the final day at Trevose.
“The weather was glorious, Cornwall
at its best,” said Cort. “The sun shone, although it was quite breezy at times, especially on the last day when the greens had seen a lot of footfall by then, so it was quite testing.
“But I was absolutely delighted to win again.
“I led throughout really, but was joined at the head of the leader board each day by another pro, including one just as we completed the final holes.
“Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) was tied on the same total which meant we shared the individual title.
“But my team won by eight points. We were 58-under-par – for a total of 273 Stableford points – so that was very exciting.
“My amateurs were Lorne Smith, who plays off two handicap at Scraptoft, Dean Briggs and Arthur Fisher, both from the West Midlands.
“Our first day brought a personal best pro/am round for me in my career when we were 25-under-par, a fantastic score, and we continued to score well over the next two days, which was great.”
In his first round at The Point, Cort had six birdies, with only one dropped shot. On day two at St Enadoc, which generally yields fewer birdies, he was out in one-under-31, back in three-under-34, and, in his last round, an eagle three from four feet at the fourth hole was the highlight of his level par round.
Cort said: “Obviously, it is a long journey and we were very late getting home, but the whole experience was tremendously enjoyable yet again this year.
“We all had a splendid time, played some good golf, with fierce competition from a powerful field.
“It was links golf at its very best and a huge pleasure to do well again.”
Cort is a former three times national assistants champions, and has twice played for Great Britain and Ireland in the PGA Cup against the United States of America.
His main 2022 season is now up and running with this perfect early boost.