Stan's the man as Stokes Bay win is family affair

Stanley Garland claimed a second Gosport & Stokes Bay Golf Club Championship win at the weekend '“ thanks to a helping hand from his mum.
Stanley Garland, right, celebrates after regaining his Gosport & Stokes Bay Golf Club Championship title with dad Pete GarlandStanley Garland, right, celebrates after regaining his Gosport & Stokes Bay Golf Club Championship title with dad Pete Garland
Stanley Garland, right, celebrates after regaining his Gosport & Stokes Bay Golf Club Championship title with dad Pete Garland

Garland, 18, first won the club championship in 2014 and was able to reclaim the title over two full rounds at the Stokes Bay course.

Following a tough start that saw him finish the first round four shots off the lead, Garland was able to settle his nerves and produce a strong second and final round to clinch the title.

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That’s after the teenager’s hopes were boosted when mum Beverley Strong joined him on the green – inspiring him to overturn a four-shot deficit as dad Pete Garland played in the group ahead.

Stanley Garland said: ‘I had my mum caddy for me in the second round.

‘She hasn’t done it that much in the past, but she wanted to come out because it was the last round before I leave for America.

‘It was good to have her there, she helped relax me and keep my mind off the pressure.

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‘Both of my parents have always supported me and kept me going.

‘My dad has particularly helped me over the years.

‘At the championship, he was playing in the group ahead of me, but was more interested in my game than his, which sums him up really.

‘He was constantly giving me advice and support.’

For Garland junior it was a victory that continued an impressive run of form, following success in the Hayling Golf Club Junior Open last month.

And even though things didn’t go his way all throughout the tournament, the talented teenager maintained his belief that he could regain the crown he lifted in 2014.

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He said: ‘I went into the championship playing well in the build-up.

‘Having won the Hayling Golf Club Junior Open two weeks before, I went in feeling I could do well.

‘But in the first round I struggled on the back nine, I scored 76 and was four off the lead going into round two.

‘I kept my head up and thought it should be alright, and being four off the lead I hoped the leader would fall back.

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‘After the first nine of the second round I was two under, but fell back again on the back nine, although I managed to keep the lead.

‘I made it harder for myself than it should have been, but I got it done in the end!’

Garland will shortly depart for Camp America, where he will work as a golf instructor, and still harbours dreams of breaking into the professional game.

‘I’m just going to relax with friends and family before I fly out,’ he said.

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‘I’ll be coaching six 45-minute sessions a day at Camp America, which I’m really looking forward to.

‘I’ve done a little bit of coaching on Saturday mornings at Stokes Bay, but this will be a really good experience.

‘I’m going to try to get some contacts out there and hopefully go to university out there next year, I’ll see what happens.

‘I do hope to turn professional one day, I just want to go as far as I can.’

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Proud mum Strong reflected on a memorable event for all concerned.

She said: ‘I was very fortunate to caddy for Stan at the championship this year.

‘Normally his dad, Pete Garland, caddies for him but he was unable to carry that responsibility out as he was fortunate to qualify to play in the competition himself.

‘I was very flattered to go round with Stan and watch my own son hold his own in a tough competition.

‘Equally, I was extremely nervous at each hole, praying each hole he played went well for him.

‘But he was awesome to watch and I felt very proud of his talent.’

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