Nappy factor earns Hampshire golfer Elliot Groves Delhi title

Groves, who got his amateur status back at the start of last year, revealed that having become a father twice in the last two years has changed his outlook on golf.

And the proof came as Elliot was joined by two-year-old daughter Zara as he received the trophy from club captain Pete Robbins – after holding on to finish as the only player below par for the day.

The former Romsey GC pro confessed the highlight of his day was being greeted by Zara – with seven-month-old Isla watching from her mother’s arms – as the silverware was presented.

Daddy then took Zara to the practice area to hit some shots with her.

Elliot, from Eastleigh, said: “It was the best part of the day and shows you how much the pressure of practising and caring too much about the results can hold you back in golf.

“Since I turned pro in 2014, I have also run College Sports America, helping many young golfers fix up good scholarships in the States.

“It has helped turn many of them into really good players – both male and female.

“There were probably 15 players in the Delhi field, who are really full-time golfers, even though they are still amateurs – and a bunch of them have been to the States after I helped get them fixed up with college places.

“So it feels great to win again. It is no slight on county golf in Hampshire, but the fact it’s no longer about playing for money, and not having time to practice like I did as a pro – as well as having two kids over the last couple of years – it meant I was just out there having a really good time.”

In professional golf, it is called the nappy factor and it definitely came into play for Groves, who grew up as a junior at the now defunct Dunwood Manor GC, in the New Forest.

Starting from the 11th in the first round of the Hampshire Order of Merit event, Groves made three birdies over four holes on the downhill stretch from the 15th, to lead by three at lunch.

Groves added: “After lunch, I hit pretty much every green in regulation from the sixth after dropping three shots in a row from the second. It was ‘boring golf’.”

Sandy drew level by making a birdie four at the 11th – his third birdie in five holes – having played the tough front nine in level-par.

They both hit it stiff for two at the short 16th before each made a messy bogey five on the penultimate hole, only for Groves to find the cup from four feet on the last, after Sandy had sunk a 10-footer for his four.

Lee-on-the-Solent GC’s former England U16 junior George Saunders, who lost a play-off to Stoneham’s James Freeman a year ago, was third having shaved eight shots off his opening round with a best-of-the-day 68 in round two.