Fixtures/Results

The Devon PGA met for their first Winter Order of Merit Medal of the season last Thursday at the scenic Downes Crediton course. The weather was superb on the day with bright sunshine and little wind, with the course in excellent condition scoring was always going to be good.

This proved to be the case and several players took advantage of the conditions to fire a hatful of birdies, Crediton though is the sort of course that can bite back! With several testing tee shots and narrow tree lined fairways, the golf course presents a great test of golf.

The winning pro score on the day was a great 65 by Paul Hendriksen, Paul has bounced back from the disappointment of missing out by a single shot at the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying school. His card was compiled with a combination of accurate driving and great iron shotmaking, Paul likes tree lined courses where he feels comfortable working the ball both ways round the many dogleg holes at Crediton.

In second place was West Region number 1 player Chris Gill , Chris was steady, without too many fireworks, but a strong finish with 2 birdies in the closing three holes putting the icing on the cake. Chris also, has bounced back superbly, from `tour school blues` with so much at stake in one or two weeks at the end of a long season, Tour School is a brutal way, to establish who progresses to the higher reaches of the game. We can only hope that these Two talented players, can find the strength of mind, to find their best golf at the right time next season. Gill though has the opportunity to play a couple of tour events next season, where he will have the chance to impress, against the best players in the World at the PGA Championship at Wentworth.

In third place was home club `Head Pro` Barry Austin, who hopes to hold on to his OOM crown, which he won for the first time last season. The Order of Merit is played over the 12 Devon Medals held through the winter months and has become over recent seasons very competitive, with the number of players now entering the winter events again on the increase, the Devon Professional scene continues to go from strength to strength.

Robin Goodey the hard working Devon County Secretary handed over a cheque for £78 to boost the Junior development fund at Downes Crediton, he also thanked the club for providing the course which was in superb condition, after the previous days exceptionally heavy rain.