Every year, more than 2,500 people enter The Open Championship via various routes. Most of those who fancy a pop at making it to the event proper go in via Regional Qualifying. Pros and top amateurs keen to test their skills and their mettle on a grander stage aim to move on to Final Qualifying and perhaps even the big event itself.
Looking at the Regional Qualifying entry lists, the name of Joe Griffiths wouldn’t immediately jump out. He’s a 33-year-old +2 handicapper out of Wellingborough Golf Club, paying the entry fee for the first time to have a shot at glory; A life ambition that plenty of scratch and better golfers realise during their playing careers.
