Can Josh be the Wizard in Oz? (From Swindon Advertiser)

Can Josh be the Wizard in Oz?

6:00am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Local By Steve Butt

WRAG Barn’s Josh Loughrey is heading Down Under after coming back from the Costa Ballena Quadrangular Tournament empty-handed.

Representing England A at the prestigious Spanish event, Loughrey notched a win and a draw in his three singles matches.

Despite a nervous start in the foursomes against Finland, which ended in defeat, Loughrey bounced back to win his singles match.

Loughrey’s singles success couldn’t prevent England from a 5½-3½ reverse against Finland but his halved match against Germany helped secure a draw.

The 21-year-old was last out in the singles with the overall match scores tied. Traililng by one hole, Loughrey levelled at the 17th to set up a thrilling finish down 18 against his German rival. Both players parred the last as the match was squared.

England concluded their tournament against eventual winners Spain, falling to a 6-3 defeat but Loughrey said the experience itself was amazing.

“It wasn’t the result we all wanted,” said Loughrey. “But it was a fantastic experience for me personally. I was a little nervous on the opening day and didn’t play all that well in the foursomes.

“However, I settled down in the singles and won my match.

“It was all to play for in my singles match against Germany and I was pleased with my comeback having trailed by one with two holes to play.

“Overall though I had a fantastic time and learned a great deal.”

Loughrey now jets off to Australia with Wiltshire and England teammate Jordan Smith of Bowood Golf Club.

The pair will be based at Waverley Golf Club near Melbourne for the next four months and will play in Australia’s Pennant Series.

As part of an ongoing partnership with Waverley Golf Club and the English Golf Union, Loughrey will stay with club members and represent club in matches across the region, including the Tasmanian Open.

Loughrey said: “I can’t wait to get to Australia. It is going to be an amazing experience. Normally they only send one person but this year it’s two.

“It will be great to be out there with Jordan and I can’t wait to get going.

“Basically we stay with members at the club and will represent Waverley in matches. Hopefully I can do really well and learn a lot from the experience.”

• DAVID Howell had his second round at the Qatar Masters cut short by 45mph winds yesterday. Howell was two-over after four holes at the time. The tournament has now been reduced to 54 holes.