A last-minute call proved to be the golden ticket for Dominic Moon as he claimed a dramatic victory in the Seaton Salver.
The 33-year-old physiotherapist lifted the trophy in one on the region’s top amateur events – part of the Durham and Yorkshire orders of merit – at Seaton Carew Golf Club, which he joined in October 2024.
With a limited field of 60 of the region’s best male golfers, the morning saw relatively benign conditions with light winds. However, the afternoon brought blustery winds and heavy showers before calming.
“I was a bit nervous before teeing off as I was a late inclusion,” said Dominic. “I managed to have a good start, which built my confidence, and had a pretty steady round. I hit most greens and shot one under-par in the first round.
“It was a similar story in the afternoon. I topped my first tee shot, which went 80 yards, and by the ninth hole I was five under-par after eagles on eight and nine. I was in the driving seat at six under-par for the tournament. I had a few nervous three-putts towards the end and finished with a two under-par 69 but won on countback and I am absolutely delighted.”
The highlight of the morning round, in which eight players broke par, was Lincoln’s Stephen Dines making his fifth career hole-in-one on the 169-yard sixth (Mashie).
As the second round unfolded, some players rose to the challenge while others, including first round leaders Nathan Ali (Cookridge Hall) and Jonty Butcher (Wheatley) faded. Luke Bonsor (Consett) posted rounds of 69 and 70, but the day belonged to Dominic.
The handicap ballot for the event was set at 0.8, leaving Dominic resigned to sitting out.
“I missed the ballot for the event,” he said. “They rang the day before and I was very keen to get in, knowing I did have the form to post a good score.”
Following his win, which builds on success as a junior at home and overseas, and a return to elite golf more recently, Dominic said: “The dream for any decent player is to kick on from a good win, shoot some good scores and play in bigger events and one day turn pro. Maybe I am too old for that at 33, but I am playing as well as I have done for a long time and I want to play full-time.”
Having previously won events like the Sheffield Plate and reached the semi-finals of the English Amateur Championship, Dominic is no stranger to success.
“It has been a while since I held a trophy like this,” he added. “It used to be a little more frequent, but it was nice to be back in that position, to win the Seaton Salver was the cherry on the icing of the cake.”
