Gidney's boost ahead of qualifier

A string of Shropshire hopefuls set out on the road to the Open Championship tomorrow – with one boosted by a brilliant birthday bonus, writes JAMES GARRISON.

A mixture of club professionals and leading amateurs from across the county will line up at Enville and Coventry for the first stage qualifying for next month's Open.

One of the amateurs in action will be Church Stretton's Jonathan Gidney, who had the unique achievement of holing in one on his birthday on Saturday.

Gidney aced the 188-yard 12th with a five iron at Sandwell Park, where he was part of the Shropshire & Herefordshire team which finished third out of 10 counties at the EGU Midlands qualifying event.

"To hole in one is always special and to do it on my 22nd birthday was brilliant," said Gidney, who has now had four hole in ones in competitive golf – including three in six weeks in 2007

"It was one of the best birthday presents I could have had. I got a bottle of champagne and I didn't have to buy the drinks which was a relief because there was about 100 people in the clubhouse!"

Gidney and the other Shropshire hopefuls will not learn how many qualifying spaces are available from each venue until tomorrow.

But they are likely to have to finish in the top 20 to progress to Local Qualifying which takes place the week before the Open.

Tee-off times for Shropshire players tomorrow are: Enville – 7.11 James Busby (The Shropshire), Jonathan Gidney (Church Stretton, amateur), 722 Dan Francis (Ludlow), 8.39 David Gojka (Shifnal), 9.28 David James (Bridgnorth), 9.39 Matthew Edwards (Hill Valley), 10.01 Craig Simmons (Patshull Park), 11.01 Alex Morton (Shifnal), 11.56 Owen Evans (Wrekin), 12.07 Stephen Russell (Bridgnorth).

Coventry – 7.11 Andrew Humphreys (Llanymynech), 9.17 Duncan Harris (Shrewsbury, amateur), 9.28 Mark Trow (Llanymynech, amateur), 11.45 Billy Mills (Ludlow, amateur).