Chris Dyson wins the Trilby Tour 2010 Amateur Championship from a field of a thousand competitors drawn from across England, Ireland and Scotland. The 42yr old manager from West Sussex tells us how he almost didn't get to enter and how losing at The Park turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to him.

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I am in complete shock - to have watched it on TV and then to be a part of it feels incredibly surreal 

Background
Age: 42
Handicap: 6.8
Home club: Goodwood
Caddy: Professional caddy
Occupation: European Head of Supply Chain for Nokia Siemens
History: First time in the TT
Regional Qualifier:The Park

Congratulations Chris Dyson on being crowned the Trilby Tour Champion 2010! From a field of a thousand competitors drawn from across England, Ireland and Scotland you've made it to the top, how does it feel?
I am in complete shock - to have watched it on TV and then to be a part of it feels incredibly surreal! I wish I could step outside of myself so I could take this on board - it feels like it's happening to somebody else. I didn't even think about winning, I just wanted to get into the top three so I could play in the pro event the next day and also not to make a fool of myself in front of the cameras!

What made you enter the TT?
I watched it on Sky last year from start to end and decided that this was something I wanted to get into. But I almost didn't get to play as it was already fully subscribed and had to go on the waiting list.

I didn't even think about winning, I just wanted to get into the top three so I could play in the pro event the next day and not make a fool of myself in front of the cameras! 

Where is your trophy now?
Its sitting in the middle of my dining room - we have a large kitchen table and its sitting in pride of place there.

How do you feel you played?
Very very lucky - I played the best round of golf this year. It was the lowest round I've shot in the last 12 months. To have played to that level under that pressure was fantastic.

I almost won at the Park but lost out in the play-off to Gary Barton. But I honestly think it was the best thing to happen because I went to the finals knowing what to expect.

I was blown away by the pressure on me in the play-off but this time I was fully prepared and completely shut out the outside world. On the 2nd playoff hole at the 17th I had to wait a long time before I had a chance to putt and was almost in a trance.

I almost won at the Park but lost out in the play-off to Gary Barton - but I honestly think it was the best thing to happen because I went to the finals knowing what to expect.

I was in a very comfortable position on the 18th tee, but even then I didn't feel it was in the bag, my nerves were really high. It was an 8 foot putt but with the amount at stake, every shot counted. I played the hole conservatively and made my putt which gave me a net eagle. Sinking the putt on the first hole at the playoff was the critical moment in the playoff. Once it went in I was 2 under par, and then all the other guys were chasing me.

I played the best round of golf this year - to do it under this amount of pressure was fantastic

What's been your overall experience of the Tour?
It is hands down totally different from any another event. We had the PGA English Open at Goodwood and although the golfers themselves are of a great standard, in terms of the level of detail and the set up of the event the Trilby Tour is in a league of its own. It has a level of professionalism that puts it above even some of the European Tour events.

From start to finish it has been absolutely fantastic. From the excitement of knowing that I'm in, to getting the clothes, practicing at the Park and then going out there and playing.

With the cameras, the banners, the marshalls, the outfits and the crowds - you look and feel a million dollars

You really feel like you are playing in a professional event - with all the cameras, the sponsorship banners, the marshalls, the outfits and the crowds, you look and feel a million dollars. As an amateur you rarely get the opportunity to play in this kind of arena and under this amount of pressure.

I've heard so many people say it but its absolutely true - the Trilby Tour genuinely makes you feel like a professional golfer for the day. It's truly fantastic.

I've heard so many people say it but its absolutely true - the Trilby Tour genuinely makes you feel like a professional golfer for the day. It's truly fantastic.

In the professional event the next day you played against our two previous Trilby Tour Champions - Charlie Lidyard and Phil Archer. What was that like?
I saw Charlie Lidyard walking around on the day thinking 'I know him - he won last year.' He's like a mini celebrity on the tour - and now I'm playing with him! It was a great experience to watch these guys play. I wasn't as focused as the day before - playing in the pro event was more of a bonus for me and I was there simply to enjoy it.

It was fantastic to watch and an experience that money can't buy. I've played with pro golfers before in pro-ams, but you watch these guys and there's a big difference between a club pro and a European Tour pro.

It was fantastic to watch and an experience that money can't buy. They were were both very friendly the whole way round and I was watching and learning from the approaches they would take.

Phil made the playoff and he needed to birdie 2 of the last 3 holes. The way he went about doing it you saw him go into a different league. I've played with pro golfers before in pro-ams, but you watch these guys and you can see a big difference between a club pro and a European Tour pro.

The fact that I was able to keep it together and play under that amount of pressure feels like the greatest prize of all

Tell us about your background
When I was a kid I borrowed my dad's clubs and knocked a ball around the local park but then during my teens I turned into a very serious golfer. I played four times a week and had ambitions of making the tour.

But to make it on the tour you need a lot of financial sponsorship and I was never quite good enough. I didn't have the backing of my parents to have a career in golf so I stopped playing for a period of time and only took it up again in my thirties. My number one fan now is my wife Jo - she's been a great support and has followed me every step of the Trilby Tour.

I play as often as I can at my club (Goodwood) and in the last three years I've won the Handicap club championship, the scratch handicap and the winter championship. And now the Trilby Tour Championship! The only trouble is there's only one way from here and that's down haha!

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Overcoming word blindness. I'm dyslexic but not being able to read or write or express myself on paper as quickly as other people hasn't hindered me in my business career. My written English is fairly bad, but I've managed to get to a senior level in a big company.

I've also sailed across the Atlantic with my wife in a 40 ft sailing boot. We did the Arc which is a race from the Canaries Las Palmas to St Lucia and took us 19 days.

Describe yourself in a sentence
I'm a larger than life type of guy. I'm competitive and focused but I like to enjoy myself at the same time. When I decide to do something, I do it to the best of my ability or not at all.

I'm very competitive and focused but I like to enjoy myself at the same time. When I decide to do something, I do it to the best of my ability or not at all.

What's your motto in life?
Live every day as if its your last and make sure you have fun. We're not here for long so make sure its a good one.

Who's your golf hero?
It would have to be Nick Faldo. He was the best English golfer of all time in terms of success. I used to watch him as a young kid and his dedication and ethics and the amount of time he put into developing his game. I admired his commitment and his mental strength - his win at the Augusta where he played level par to win shows great mental control. 

Live every day as if its your last  - we're not here for long so make sure its a good one

Where do you go from here?
My ambitions next year is to get back to being a Category 1 golfer.  I'll be aiming to enter more intense Amateur competitions - playing within the club is nice but I want something that can really test me. I love the pressure of the Trilby Tour and have already entered next year so who knows.

Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
Hopefully sailing a boat around the world!

Any last words for William?
Thank you very much for the opportunity to play in a great event. William's a fantastic guy and brings his energy and character to the event in every single aspect. He took the mick out of me for losing him some money at the park but hopefully I've repaid him by winning the bet at the Bucks.

See full results of the Amateur Finals here

 

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