Thursday 29th September saw the County’s Professionals travel to the beautiful Downes Crediton Golf Club for the start of the 2011/12 Winter Medal Series. The series consists of 12 medal rounds over some of Devon’s finest courses with the leading Professional being crowned the Devon Professional Order of Merit Champion.

Last year’s Champion, Paul Hendriksen (Dinnaton) started his title defence with a 1 over par 71 and a tie for 6th place but it was his brother Dan from Churston who started the series with a victory.

Dan, who spends a lot of his time coaching, has been showing some fine form in recent weeks in West Region events, and birdies on the third and fifth meant he raced to the turn in 33 strokes, 2 under par. Playing ‘solid golf’ he felt the strength of his game was accuracy off the tee, missing only two fairways all day.

A further birdie on the 16th was cancelled out by a dropped shot on the 17th but a solid par at the difficult par three 18th meant he posted a 2 under par 68 which was enough for victory by one stroke. Surprisingly this was Dan’s first Devon PGA Medal win since 2007 but on present form he hopes to be pushing for the Order of Merit come March.

Coming home that single shot behind in second place and ‘one to watch’ for the title come March was Okehampton’s Ashley Moon. The talented Moon, who limits his play during the summer months, once again played good golf, his long and accurate driving, always a sight to behold.

A further stroke back on level par 70 were two up and coming stars of the county, Anthony Buchanan (Thurlestone) and James Pickard (Honiton) along with home professional Barry Austin (Downes Crediton)