Fixtures/Results

The eighth event of the winter Order of Merit series took place this Thursday, at the magnificent championship East course at Saunton Golf Club. The club were kind enough to let the Pro`s play from the Blue Championship markers which makes perhaps one if not two shots difference, to the course difficulty. The day was blessed with good weather, and only a two club wind placed a premium on the players shot making abilities.

The greens were in fantastic condition and were running exceptionally fast for February at about 9.5 on the `stimp meter`. For some of the pros used to the slower conditions in South Devon, this was something of a shock when faced with a downhill, down wind, putt.

Winning score on the day was a one over par 72 by Torbay's Neil Holman. Neil has been playing some superb golf over the last six months much of which he puts down to improved fitness and focus. Neil spends ten to fifteen minutes each day skipping and the benefits have been there for all to see. Not only has he improved his strength and stamina, he also feels it has given him a greater mental sharpness, which he has carried onto the golf course.

Neil, started in spectacular fashion and his shot of the day came on the very opening hole Saunton's 475 yard monster par 4, he smashed a three wood second shot, to inside 3ft and tapped in for a spectacular opening birdie 3. He continued to play solidly and in total hit 15 greens in regulation which represented excellent golf from tee to green. He kept the momentum of his round going with a superb up and down, from the front of the tenth green where his ball had pitched and spun back below the bunkers. His 35 yard pitch settled just 2ft from the pin. Neil felt this was the shot that kept him on track and he completed his round in solid and safe style.

In a tie for second place one shot behind were Jon Langmead (who ranks Saunton as one of his favourites courses in the World!) and North Devon local Andy Norman who represents Woolacombe & Ilfracombe driving range. Andy always seems to play well at a course where his father is a member and indeed some of his best results in recent years have been at Saunton. Andy felt that he could and perhaps should have shaved a few shots from his score as he three putted the 8th, 9th & 10th hole`s consecutively.

In a tie on 74 were Paul Hendriksen, and the experienced duo of Cliff Strange Torquay & Royal North Devon head pro Iain Parker. Cliff relied heavily on his short game and was delighted with his score, on a course where he started his career as an assistant nearly 30 years ago. Parker was left to rue a costly mistake on perhaps the days most obvious birdie opportunity, the downwind par 5 15th. With only a 7 iron second shot he managed to rack up a double bogey 7. He was otherwise very pleased with his much improved game since the new year.

Hendriksen entered the event looking for a hat trick of victories, and was leading the Order on Merit by the narrowest of margins. A third victory was not to be, but his form looks very strong, as he stakes his claim to become Devon's No.1 golfer this winter. The order of merit took yet another twist with the days winner Neil Holman leapfrogging three places to top spot. Again the margins at the top of this years merit table are so tight that anything can and probably will happen in the final three counting events. Neil leads by 2.5 points from Hendriksen with Andy Norman back up to third and only 12 points separating the top five players. This years order of merit race is already shaping up to be the best for many years with still seven or eight players in with a shout of overall victory.

Devon PGA captain Iain Parker thanked club manager David Cliff for his hospitality on the day and commented that the course was in the best condition he had ever seen it at this time of year and looked forward to returning next season.