Every one a winner for Luke at Bearwood

Luke Donald thrilled a select crowd of Mizuno competition winners at Bearwood Lakes yesterday ahead of his defence of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Golf fans from across Europe were treated to a clinic and Q&A at the stunning Berkshire course, with the brand’s president, Akito Mizuno, also joining in.

Afterwards the golfers took on the World No.2 at Bearwood’s intimidating 175-yard 14th. With a hard breeze coming in from the water, hitting the green was a tough enough challenge. The added pressure of playing with Donald in front of the TV cameras added an extra degree of difficulty.

Luke finished his day with a signing session for Bearwood’s juniors who surged in after school.

“That’s as tough a golfing challenge as most amateur players will ever have,” Mizuno’s European marketing manager David Matthews told Golfmagic. “Some of our guests pulled some amazing shots out of the bag considering the pressure.”

19-year-old Nicholas Buckland from London won a spot for himself and two playing companions on the Mizuno Golf Facebook page. 

Hitting the first shot of the day, Nicholas stood tall and knocked a soaring iron to the centre of the green. His father Martin did even better, drilling his under the wind to finish inside Luke’s ball.

Earlier, local entrepreneur and member, Gary Holloway had completed the purchase of Bearwood Lakes Golf Club in its entirety from the founders of the club, the Wilson and Newling Ward families.

He said: "This is an extremely exciting and proud moment. To host one of the world’s finest golfers is a great honour and signals my intention to continue the outstanding achievement of the previous owners and include Bearwood Lakes on every golfers “must play” list.

Read our BMW PGA Championship preview here.

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