Steve hits form against world's elite one-armed golfers

A DALE golfer hit top form just in time for the one-armed world championships.
Steven Hutchinson enjoyed a stellar week, finishing third in the stroke play event before making it to the final of the match-play competition which followed.
The 50-year-old, from Barnard Castle, said turning out for his home club in a couple of Teesside golf union league matches had helped him recapture his best form.
The blustery conditions facing golfers at the Tynemouth course, where the world championships was staged, also helped.
“It was horrendous weather and I am used to playing in those conditions,” said Mr Hutchinson, who lost the use of his right arm in a motorcycle accident in 2005.
Competing as part of an international field, Mr Hutchinson enjoyed a share of the lead after the first round of stroke play, carding an 81.
He went round in the same score in his second round, which secured him third place and also the trophy for best nett score.
“It was about 20 shots better than last year,” he said.
This also secured his place among the top 16 who went forward to the match play section of the competition.
He won his first match, against an Irish opponent, 7&6 before progressing through to the semi-final with a 4&2 victory against a Swede.
Up against number two seed Chris Wood, Mr Hutchinson held his nerve on the final green to take the match one up.
The final saw him line up against South African Reinard Schuhknecht, who proved too strong on this occasion, taking the title 6&4.
However, Mr Hutchinson was not downhearted.
“I have got to the quarter-finals before and I wanted to go one better this time,” he said.
“In the final, unfortunately, I ran out of a bit of steam. Overall though, it was a really good week.”
His excellent performance at the event means Mr Hutchinson is also well placed to earn his spot in the British team to take on the US in next year’s Fightmaster Cup – the one armed golf equivalent to the Ryder Cup.