Fixtures/Results

The Devon County PGA met at Stover this Thursday to play the 11 th OOM winter event. The days event was sponsored by Mizuno Golf Company, who`s West Region Rep Paul Jones is a keen and enthusiastic supporter of the Pro scene in Devon. With most of the players, at some time, choosing to play the companies Irons, which have long been regarded as the best in the game. Paul has over the years been a great help in establishing the success of the Devon PGA.

The weather was dry, but a strong three club breeze made scoring tricky and demanded good flight control, particularly on the back nine, where finding the wind direction is always testing.

The course, which has undergone several refinements, and improvements over recent years, was in excellent condition, and now presents a demanding test of a players accuracy.

The winning score on the day was a superb round of 66 by OOM leader Barry Austin from Downes Credition.
Barry who has been one of Devon`s most consistent winners over the last 20 yrs is always a threat when the wind is gusting. His shot of the day was a superb 2 iron on the long par three 5 th hole. The hole playing 212yds into the wind, meant that most players needed a wood to get there, Barry fired his tee shot to18ft and holed the putt for a great birdie.

His putting though, was the strong area of his game, and he commented " I picked up the speed of the greens very early, and holed just about all my important putt`s," He felt that his long game had perhaps not been at its best but added " Good work on and around the greens does wonders for the score card"

His win has helped in the bigger race, to secure his first Devon PGA OOM title , it is somewhat surprising that Barry has not already won that title, as he has lost count of all his other Major victories in the County.

Still in with a real chance in the OOM, and only a handful of points behind, is Okehampton`s Ashley Moon.
Moon was tied in second place with two players who have shown a welcome return to form, Sean Mason now representing Exeter. And the regaining his `scoring touch` Neil Holman the teaching Pro at Torbay Driving Range. All tied on 70.

Three players tied on 71 .Paul Hendriksen, front Fingle Glen and Christian Vine who works as a teaching Pro on the continent in the `Summer Season.`

Also tied on this score, it was great to see Teignmouth`s Head Pro Rob Selly in the prize money ! Rob who has made a real effort to get out of the shop and compete, was delighted to see the results of some hard work on his game this winter, and a few more good scores look likely now.

The Race for the Order of Merit now looks like a two horse race, with Austin and Moon going head to head in a `heavy hitting contest` in the final event in two weeks time at Exeter. Chris Gill could not play at Stover, and looks also to miss the final counting event due to other commitments.

This means that either Austin or Moon will become OOM champion, neither player has won the title before, and both would love to claim the title of Devon`s No 1 golfer.

The race to make the teams for next years matches has been shaken up in the last two events, with the big names now in qualifying positions it will be interesting to see how the positions are finalised in two weeks time.

Devon PGA Vice Captain Robin Goodey thanked Club Secretary Will Hendry for hosting the event, and presented him with a cheque for £60 to help with their junior development at the club.

The days event was sponsored by Mizuno Golf Company, who`s West Region Rep Paul Jones is a keen and enthusiastic supporter of the Pro scene in Devon.
With most of the players, at some time, choosing to play the companies Irons, which have long been regarded as the best in the game. Paul has over the years been a great help in establishing the success of the Devon PGA.