Golf News for Monday, June 20, 2005 | People

Crampton to defend Chiberta Grand Prix

James Crampton was invited by England to defend the Chiberta Grand Prix, a title he won so well a year ago, in France from 14th - 17th July.

Also selected to compete for England in the tournament in Biarritz will be former boy internationals Gary Boyd from Northamptonshire and Surrey's Seve Benson.

Crampton, 33, from Lincolnshire became the first British winner of the event last year when a closing 64, one shot outside the course record, gave him a 14 under par aggregate of 266 and a two stroke victory. The Spalding golfer was in the leading group throughout all four rounds but didn't get his nose in front until the back nine of the final day.

Crampton has a fine record within Lincolnshire, where he has been county champion four times. He is also a former winner of the Midland Youth Championship, the Berkhamsted Trophy, and the Lincolnshire Open Championship. In 2003 he won the English County Champions event at Woodhall Spa and last month finished runner-up in the Brabazon Trophy at The Oxfordshire. He is also a current member of the England B squad.

Boyd caused a sensation when he won the EGU Gold Medal as an 11 year old in 1998. In recent years Boyd, now 18, has been a regular member of the England junior scene, having been capped at boys under 16 and boys under 18 levels. He travelled to Japan with England in 2003 for the World Boys Team Championships, then after being picked for the European Boys Team Championships was forced to pull out with a back injury.

Last year, Boyd won the Midland Youths Championship, finished third in the Carris Trophy, was a member of England‘s winning team in the Boys Home Internationals and represented GB&I in the Jacques Leglise Trophy. Recently he finished runner-up in the Hampshire Hog.

Benson, 18, from the Wentworth club, made his England debut in last year's winning Boys Home Internationals and was a member of the Surrey side that won the English County Finals at Worksop. He was called into the England A squad at the start of this year and has enjoyed high finishes in the Berkhamsted Trophy and Hampshire Hog, finishing fourth in the latter.

The Chiberta competition is medal stroke play over 72 holes with a halfway cut. There is also a team event over the first two days, the best two of the three cards to count.

Media Contact:
Lynne Fraser, EGU Marketing and PR Manager
Tel: 01526 354500
Email: lfraser@englishgolfunion.org



 
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