Fixtures/Results

Thirty-five Professionals made the journey to the golfing Mecca of Saunton last Thursday to play the fourth in their winter Order of Merit medals. The competition was played over the club's West Course ranked 87th in the Golf Course rankings of Great Britain and Ireland, with the better known East course ranked 22nd, Saunton is arguably the best place to `experience` links golf in Europe.

The weather on the day was `challenging` to say the least, with wind at times gusting to over 40 mph, the golf course was as usual in superb condition, with greens putting fast and true. There were some very tricky pin placements and the combination of high winds and slick greens, meant that scoring was always going to be extremely difficult, a number of the Pros felt that `real par` on the day was something like 76.

It was going to be a day for a links specialist who could control their ball flight and work their shots into the greens, Albert MacKenzie the Saunton Head Pro was the clear favourite, playing on your home course though, brings it`s own pressures, Albert though, played superbly all day, and won by 2 shots with an excellent 72. He hit many good shots, but two which stood out were a beautifully flighted 7 iron, into the 6th hole stone dead for birdie, and a Driver!! on the par three 11th to twenty feet, the hole playing 215yds, this alone gives an indication of how testing the conditions were.

Albert commented "We are so lucky at Saunton, you walk out the door and could toss a coin every day, Heads East, Tails West, and know you are going to be playing a great course. "

In a tie for second place were a couple of No1 players Barry Austin Devon County OOM winner and Chris Gill West Region Player of the year. Both players had the previous day helped Devon retain, for the 8th year running, their Ryder Cup encounter against local rivals Cornwall. Both commented " The wind over the last week has been brutal, and it has been very difficult to keep your game together." Both are top player`s and renowned wind players.

Kevin Harper was alone in fourth place, as he heads out soon for the next stage of Qualifying for the European Tour. We all wish him well in Spain.

Barry Austin thanked all at Saunton for hosting the event and both welcomed, and thanked, new Secretary Peter McMullen who has recently moved to Devon, for allowing the Pros to visit the club. Barry said "The Pro`s love visiting Saunton, it is many player`s favourite course, but next year, could we please have the wind turned down just a bit."

He presented the club with a cheque to help with their junior development at the club.