Bristol's Open golf hero returns
The leafy calm of Long Ashton replaced the wild winds of Royal Birkdale as Chris Wood dropped into the golf club where he started playing more than 11 years ago.
The 20-year-old from Nailsea burst onto the international scene over the weekend, finishing joint fifth at The Open and winning the Silver Medal for the highest-placed amateur.
But it was back down to earth soon afterwards – his first meal after the tournament on Sunday night was at a McDonald's restaurant.
The financial pressures of being an amateur may drive Chris to turn pro – he had to spend £1,250 on a room in a B&B near the golf course for the weekend.
But the Long Ashton Golf Club is holding a testimonial tournament this month to raise funds to help him pay his way.
If Chris had been a professional his joint-fifth position would have netted him £180,000 in prize money.
The past 48 hours have been a whirlwind of activity, with calls from sports agents and media taking up much of his time.
So the familiar surroundings of the clubhouse at Long Ashton seemed a world away being surrounded by star players at one of the toughest courses around.
He said: “I'm feeling pretty drained, both mentally and physically, and because I'm so tired it hasn't really sunk in yet.
“The crowds, the atmosphere and the pressure were all so surreal and I have been on the phone so much since the weekend.
“Now I'm back here, where it's so quiet with none of the intensity going on, it feels a bit like the weekend was a dream.”
Chris paid tribute to the hundreds of friends and family members who travelled up to Lancashire to cheer him on at The Open
“The support was amazing up there,” he said.
“Words can't describe the feelings I felt walking up the fairway on the last hole.
“But I felt so at home, I had prepared so well, I really enjoyed playing in front of so many people and now I know that I'm good enough to play in that sort of environment.
“I need a couple of days in bed because the next few weeks are going to be pretty busy.”
Fellow golfers and club officials were lavish in their praise for Chris and his achievements last night.
Andy Fry, 43, from Long Ashton, who is helping to organise the testimonial game for Friday, August 15, said: “Chris always used to play here as a youngster and now he is a role model for all the kids playing here now.
“Long Ashton has always had a knack of breeding good young players, although Chris is the first Silver Medal winner in the history of the club.
“We all feel that we own a little bit of Chris because he has been part of the club for such a long time.
“We are all very fond and proud of him and we feel very strongly about it – he's great for this club and his achievements have been a fantastic reward for the work he has put in.”
Comment on this story