The Trilby Tour’s long-awaited comeback season culminated in a dramatic finale at Dundonald Links in Scotland on Monday, crowning a successful return for the iconic competition.
In its first season under the ownership of Darwin Escapes, the 2022 edition of the Trilby Tour saw both male and female golfers compete together in the Grand Final at the prestigious Ayrshire venue. Competitors from across the country battled it out in tough conditions on the par-72 course; eventual Champion Golfer Andrew Corssen, from North Shore Golf Club, needed a stunning three-under-par score of 39 points to top a high-quality field. Wendy Allen earned the highest ladies’ score of the final with a 31-point total.
The Grand Final highlighted the ways Darwin Escapes has revitalised the much-loved Trilby Tour since acquiring it in 2021. Men and women competed together for the first time in the competition’s 15-year history, with TV cameras on hand to cover the action for broadcast on Sky Sports Golf, hosted by presenter Sarah Stirk, from November 14.
Serving as the climax of an action-packed tour schedule, the final featured amateur golfers from all four summer qualifying Championships: The Championship of Oxfordshire at The Springs Resort & Golf Club; the Championship of Ayrshire at Dundonald Links; the Championship of Yorkshire at Kilnwick Percy Resort & Golf Club; and the Championship of Cumbria at Carus Green Golf Club.
Ashley Pheasant, Head of Golf for Darwin Escapes, said: “We have worked hard to bring this much-loved competition back and make it better than ever, so we are thrilled with how the Trilby Tour’s first revitalised season has unfolded.
“The weather was challenging on Monday, but Dundonald Links plays perfectly in any conditions and the quality of golf was excellent too. It is also great to see male and female golfers competing together in the Trilby Tour for the first time.”
Corssen, the first Trilby Tour Champion Golfer of the Darwin Escapes era, said: “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, because we were the first group out. I have been patiently waiting and now I’m just overwhelmed.”
Sarah Stirk, host of Sky Sports Golf’s coverage of the Grand Final, said: “It was fantastic to host the Trilby Tour final which will be shown on Sky Sports in November. The whole tour has really been elevated in 2022 and it was fantastic to see the culmination of a great year at the final at Dundonald Links.
“There was a real sense of camaraderie between all competitors and it was brilliant to see female golfers competing alongside the men. I’ve been lucky to interview the world’s top golfers over the last few years with Sky, but it was very special to speak to the winner Andrew Corssen about his victory and see him get so emotional. It was a special day in Scotland and I can’t wait to watch the Trilby Tour grow even further in 2023.”
Dundonald Links, host venue of the 2022 Trilby Tour Grand Final, has earned a reputation as an elite golf course and was ranked in the top 10 of Leading Courses’ Best Golf Resorts in Europe 2022. Following extensive renovations, the revamped resort has become even more enticing to golfers with the addition of world-class accommodation and a new, modern clubhouse.
The Trilby Tour will return in 2023, with an extended schedule and dates to be announced in December. In addition to the Trilby Tour trophy and an array of exceptional golfing equipment, Corssen has won the right to return for the 2023 Grand Final and defend his crown without needing to play any qualifying events.