Warren Golf Club Sunday 17th May 2009 Professional Individual First Place 68 (-1) Chris Gill (Exeter) 68 (-1)Neil Holman (Torbay D R) Equal Third 73 Jon Axford (Teignmouth) 73 Sean Mason (Exeter) Equal Fifth Place 74 Paul Hendriksen (Churston) 74 Nick Horrocks (Plymouth Golf Range) 74 Andy Pye (Warren) Team Scores First Place -8 Chris Gill, Iain Morris, Wayne Chant, Jeff Clements Second Place -8 Sean Mason, Colin Papworth, Mike Jolly, Barry Pomeroy Third Place -5 Tim McSherry, Tim Shobrook, Jamie Shobrook, Chris Chapman

Pro winners Chris Gill & Neil Holman Chris Gill with his winning team

The Warren staged its first Devon County PGA Pro Am last Sunday and the golf course was as usual presented in superb condition. The club which over recent years have made some significant improvements, and restored the links to its original playing conditions, were delighted to again host a Pro Am. The event was put together by Golf Manager Robin Goodey, who is also Secretary of the Devon County PGA. Unfortunately the weather on the day was testing to say the least, and there was a rain and high wind delay of nearly an hour, when it became difficult to keep the ball from moving on the slick greens. The conditions meant that scoring was going to be difficult, and it was remarkable that two players were on top form, and finished under par. Joint winners on the day were Neil Holman and Chris Gill, Chris who has maintained top form for nearly all of the last two seasons, is set for a `big year` where he is aiming to stay, the leading money winner in West country events. For Neil it was a welcome return to the winners circle, after an up and down winter season. Chris described the conditions as about a four club wind, and not too bad, as it was either against or behind. Such is his control these days, that even the most difficult conditions are met with a calm assurance that he can get the job done! He felt his strength on the day had been his holing out from short range which of course was far from easy in the gale. He was three under after 13 but shed shots on 14 and 16 eventually signing for an excellent 68. Neil who is one of golf`s most determined competitors, made light of the weather, he played the important middle long holes in level fours, making great pars on 9 and 10, both par fours, which were well out of reach for most players. He birdied the next two downwind par Fives and stood 4 under par. A short missed put on the 13th stopped his momentum and he leaked further shots on the tough 16th and 18th. He was though pleased to have regained his best form just in time for the busy summer season. A measure of how well they both played was shown in the fact that they won by a margin of five shots from their nearest challengers. The club Captain Mike Bailey thanked everybody who made the day possible particularly the greenkeeping team who worked so hard to get the course in superb shape. Robin Goodey on behalf of the Pro`s thanked the club and looked forward to next years event.