Fixtures/Results

The golf course was in great shape with the greens fast and true. Although the conditions were ideal for scoring only the best struck and thought out iron shots would bring rewards due to the tight pin placments. Much like St Andrews, RND when played in calm conditions can seem easy, but factor in pins tucked away in the championship positions, and the course presents a very different challenge.

This makes the winning score on the day, one of the best rounds played so far this season. The round was a `breakthrough` performance by Churston assistant Dan Hendriksen.

Dan who had a difficult start to his Pro career has really worked hard on his game this year, since his return to his home club, Dan who caddied for brother Paul at the second stage of the European Tour School last week, has now regained his confidence and self belief, and looks to have established himself among the Pro ranks.

His brilliant score of 6 under par 66 was the best by four shots, Dan opened in spectacular form with an eagle on the par five first from 15ft, he then birdied the fourth before making a great par save on five from a plugged lie in the front bunker. He parred out to the turn before birding the tenth from fifteen feet. Another birdie followed on 13 before his shot of the day on the 15th, a sweetly struck 7 iron to a very tough pin was followed by a 8ft put for another birdie. Dan parred in with a good two putt from the lower level on the 18th green all the way to the back pin.

Dan commented " Going to tour school last week with Paul was a real eye opener, the best player`s are just so much more aggressive and positive in their play, I really learned a lot." He is also working with a Plymouth based sports Psychologist, who also helps Tavistock`s former English ladies champion Laura Eastwood.

The Devon PGA is going from strength to strength, and with some of the new younger players starting to challenge the established names in the County, the future is looking very bright.

In a share of second place were five players Barry Austin from Downes Crediton, Neil Holman Torbay DR, Sean Mason Teign Valley, Laura Eastwood Tavistock and home club pro Mike Wilson RND. All scored 2 under par scores of 70.

Devon PGA Captain Ashley Moon thanked RND Secretary Rob Fowler, for staging the event and thanked Head Greenkeeper Mark Evans and his team for presenting the course in superb condition. Moon commented "All the pro`s loved the true links challenge, and with numbers climbing in each event 35 to 40 players are now regularly competing in the Medals` and the Clubs making a special effort to present their courses in top condition, we look forward to returning next year."