It’s been a few weeks of roller-coaster emotions for Millwall fan Alfie Plant – and it had nothing to do with the fortunes of his favourite football team.
The 25-year-old part-time postman and golfer hadn’t won a tournament in a couple of years but then his nan Joyce Haynes died, aged 96.
She had always said to him, whenever he competed: “Do it for your nan!” But if anything, the amateur golfer felt even more inspired after she passed away on June 24. He won the European Amateur Golf Championship at Walton Heath Golf Club a month ago after whispering to her on the fifth hole of the play-off: “I might need your help here, nan.” That victory qualified him for golf’s Holy Grail – the Open at Royal Birkdale in Lancashire. And there, his hundreds of supporters, who stayed at Pontins and carried St George Crosses with the words “Do it for your nan!” inspired him still further.
Also on his golf bag was the words “Do it for nan” to commemorate his late great-grandmother, who lived in Ommaney Road, New Cross and whose funeral took place this week. He won the silver medal for the best finish by an amateur with a three-over final-day 73 – six over for the championship.
Previous winners of the medal include Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy. He also declared he will turn professional later this year, after he represents his country in the Walker Cup.
His dad Darren said: “It has gone beyond our dreams. “We went to Birkdale to win the silver medal and he achieved that. “It is another fantastic honour.”
The Open was Alfie’s third big tournament in a month – after winning the European Amateur title, he flew out to win a silver medal playing for England in the European Amateur Team Championship at the Diamond Country Club in Austria, then on to Lancashire, to Birkdale.
“He should have been shattered by rights,” said Darren.
“But he performed on the biggest stage in the world. I knew he was good but we did not know how he would do in front of 230,000 people. “If he can keep cool in that cauldron, he has a bright future.
“Every day on the first tee, he smashed it down the middle. On the first day, he was third overall for driving accuracy. “The putts didn’t drop – but he did not slice or hook on the fairway, which is what a nervous golfer would do.
“It was surreal being there – but he had worked all his life to be there. And he was not out of place.” Joyce’s funeral was on Tuesday.
“It was a tough day,” said Darren. “I had not really had time to grieve properly and let go. “The timing of her passing was not good but it was as if it was meant to be or pre-ordained, because Alfie has been inspired.
“It was heartbreaking for everyone, but undertakers FA Albin and Sons gave her a fitting send-off.” Alfie said it will take a lot to match the elation of walking down the 18th at Birkdale on his way to finishing the course.
“It sent shivers down my spine walking up the last,” he said.
“Nans and grandparents are always on your mind when you lose them. If you think about it too much you’re going to start crying out there.”
Plant was the only one of this year’s five amateurs to survive the halfway cut – and to do that he had to fight back from dropping five shots over the first seven holes of his second round for a 73, making it through by two shots on four over.
His mum Emma said: “It’s his dream come true – all he’s dreamt about since he was about three years old when he first picked up a golf club. I just want to cry – I am the proudest mum you could ever be. “Team Alfie has kept us going. “We are all together, supporting each other. “When he birdied the first hole, the uproar was as loud as an aeroplane going by.”