Devon County PGA FeaturesReports of achievements by Devon Pros
Devon Prosfessional Championship
The annual Devon Professionals Championship was played this Monday at Dawlish Warren Golf Club. The event attracted many of the top professionals in the County. The course at Dawlish presented a testing challenge due to a combination of strong gusting winds, tight pin placements and fast firm greens. These factors meant that scoring was always going to be difficult, and only the player with the most control over their ball flight, and a superior short game, would emerge triumphant over the 36 hole Championship.
Winning total on the day was 143 by the talented Barry Austin Head Professional at Downes Crediton. Barry who has always been regarded as an excellent wind player once again displayed the skill that has seen him win this event twice in the past. His superb iron play and course management proved the winning formula as he compiled his scores methodically and without risk even taking a five iron off the tee on the par 5 12th hole which meant that the water on the hole was completely taken out of play.
Barry felt that the key to his success all day had been the ability to keep his calm and positive attitude even when the wind was gusting at its strongest. He didn't hit any destructive shots and although he made one double bogey most of the players had at least two or three big numbers over the course of the day. His shot of the day came near the end of his second round where he made a great par saving up and down on 17 from 80 yards which he felt at the time would be crucial in a tight finish. In fact he won by a comfortable margin of 4 shots.
In second place and taking a break from his busy coaching schedule was Stuart Disney from Hele Park also a past winner of the event. Stuart has an impressive tee to green game and it was great to see him playing so well in the most testing conditions.
Tied in third position was Tiverton's popular assistant David Curl and Exeter's in form Chris Gill. David who has been working on his swing and rhythm on the driving range is really starting to play some good golf and only a couple of triple bogey sevens stopped him finishing even higher. Chris who had just returned from a weekend in the North of England celebrating his upcoming wedding then won a playoff with David to decide who would win the Assistants Trophy. Chris came out on top after the second extra hole and was delighted to keep his run of good form going.
Robin Goodey who is the golf coordinator at the Warren helped organise the event and was delighted with the condition of the course even after the horrendous weather we have experienced this summer. many of the professionals cannot remember playing a full round of golf without their waterproofs this year.
New alliance secretary Mike Jones who has taken over the reigns from Ray Parker enjoyed his first event and he thanked all of the team at the Warren for making the days event so successful.
