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William Hunt Trilby Tour 2011 Amateur Champion: James Voce

In an unprecedented series of wins, James Voce takes the grand title of the William Hunt Trilby Tour 2011 Amateur Champion and makes Trilby Tour history for holding not just one but two titles in the same year.

From a field of over 1200 contenders the Trilby Tour has traversed the breadths of the country in search of a man worthy to lift the Trilby cup. We took the top ten from each regional tournament and pitted them against each other in a no-holds barred epic finale, culminating in the unique showdown of a 4-man playoff.

Not content with winning the Norfolk Championship twice in a row, Voce stole the show at the Finals, winning the play-off and finishing on a score of 40.

Daunted by the crowds, the cameras or the fierce competition? No - it's all part of the package that Voce signed up for, indeed welcomes with open arms.  We salute the man of steel who lets nothing get in his way.

Name: James Voce
Age: 33
Handicap: 7
Caddy: Adam Voce (brother)
Score: 40
Occupation: Private banker
Home club: Gorstyhill Golf Club
History: Norfolk Champion 2010, Norfolk Champion 2011

James you have graced our Hall of Fame not once but now twice! Never before in TT history as there been a Regional and Amateur Champion at the same time.  We salute you as the William Hunt Trilby Tour 2011 Amateur Champion!
Wow! Amazing! When you say that it brings such a big smile to my face! It has been such a great day and I have really enjoyed every moment of it.

Tell us how you prepared for the Finals
I only had a week after winning the Norfolk championship at Sprowston Manor so I didn't have much time. I went down the day before with my brother for a quick practice round. It was more just too get a feel for the greens as I had played on the course before, and to make sure I was still swinging the club correctly.

Tell us about your strategy on the day:
I was very pleased with my game all round and it was very similar to my performance at the Marriot. I knew that my irons and everything else was pretty consistent, I knew that if I could get my driver to work off the tee then I would have a good day. Thankfully my driver worked very well. I could not fault it all the way round. It's not my worse club - it's more of a risk club. When it works, it works very well.

I've got two wins under my belt but I would like to come back and get a hat trick, three years on the trot, haha!

In your round you were playing alongside last year's Amateur champion Chris Dyson - did this add any pressure?
Not at all -  I really enjoyed it. I met Chris at the final last year (Voce finished in the top 50 on a score of 32), he's a really good guy. We also went round with Paul Llewellyn (2011 Oxfordshire regional champion), who is also a really nice guy. Paul played well and we were playing off each other although Chris I'm afraid to say didn't have his best day.

How did you cope with the cameras on the day?
It added a lot of pressure especially in the playoffs, however I was there to play golf and just wanted to focus on playing those 3 holes of golf as well as I played the last 18. The cameras shouldn't alter your game.  Just because more people are watching, it's still you - you have to swing the club and get on the green. When I'm playing I tend just to focus on what I'm doing and block the rest out.

Where is your trophy now?
It's at home on my mantel piece. It looks good next to my regional championship pair.

My trophy's at home on my mantel piece. It looks good next to my regional championship pair

After taking the crown at Marriott Sprowston did you think you could match your performance for the final?
I knew I was playing well but anyone who knows golf knows that every single day is different. You can have the best round of golf one day but the next play like you have never seen a golf club before. I was hoping that my game would stay together for another week until the finals, luckily it did and that's just the way it goes. I could have gone out the day after and played horrendously.

To date you are the most successful Trilby Tourian, being the reigning champion of Norfolk 2 years in a row and now the 2011 champion. Do you believe that you have raised the bar for others playing in the Tour?
Wow, when you put it like that, yes. No one has done it before so I guess it makes it a Trilby Tour first!

What do your friends and family think of your achievement?
Everyone was really chuffed; I had my brother caddy for me which was great support the whole way round. I can't wait to watch it on TV to be honest.

I love playing competition golf and this is by far the best competition out there

 

What are your thoughts for next year?
It would be nice to defend my title again. I've got two wins under my belt but I would like to come back and get a hat trick, three years on the trot haha! That would be a great achievement. Again I will look at it as I want to qualify for the final. I just want to go and enjoy myself.

You're no stranger to the Trilby Tour, what keeps on bringing you back?
I love playing competition golf and this is by far the best competition in golf out there. It's the most exciting and it's the most interesting; there is great banter with the lads and everyone who plays in it absolutely loves it.

What's next for you in golf?
I just want to carry on playing and winning as many competitions as I can!

I will come back every year as long as William will have me!

How did you find the clothing?
Awsome as always!

Have you got any words of advice for next year's players?
Just to relax and enjoy it. I have been watching the shows on Sky Sports, and you see a lot of guys who get into the playoff and then just forget how to play golf. It's no different. It's just three more holes. They let the pressure of the crowds and the cameras get to them.

Would you like to say anything to William?
Like I said to him on the day, I loved it! I will be back every year as long as he will have me! Please keep it going!

Any last words?
Thanks to my brother who came down to the event and who was my caddy. Big thanks to him and I look forward to seeing you all next year!

Click here for the full results of the day

That concludes the Trilby Tour's search for the Amateur Champion of 2011. What a year it's been! Each time the bar gets raised and the competition gets more extreme.

But like we always said - the Trilby Tour's not a game for boys. Think you have what it takes to enter the Trilby Tour? Enter now and join the Waiting List. If you're lucky you'll get through. Pit yourself against the best in the country and see if you can make it to the top. We'll see you next year...

The TT Team