Fixtures/Results

30 Devon Professionals played the latest PGA medal last Thursday at the `spectacular` Thurlstone golf club. The course was as usual, in superb condition, with the fairways a joy to play from, the greens even after some early winter maintenance putted well.

It is sometimes hard to concentrate fully at this venue, as the views are arguably the best in the South West, even if a round is not going as planned, it still makes you appreciate why we all love the game.

Weather on the day was very kind, with hardly any wind to speak of, and occasional bright skies.

Winning Pro score on the day was a superb 6 under par 65 by the `in form` Barry Austin. Barry started with perhaps his best shot of the day, a powerful 3 wood of 271 yards onto the short par 4 opening hole which finished 15 feet from the pin.
He amazingly stood on the eighth tee 1 under 3's for his opening seven holes, helped by back to back 2's on the 5th and 6th holes. He continued to play solidly and was six under par after 13 holes with three birdieable par 5's to come, a great score looked likely. Although delighted to pick up his first win of the winter season, which moved him to the top of the early season order of merit, he felt that he perhaps should have posted a score in the low 60's.

In second place on 68 (-3) was Stover's James Langmead. James was his usual model of consistency from tee to green, and he also used his broom handle putter, with which he feel so comfortable, to great effect. James was particularly pleased with his holing out from inside 10 feet.

In a tie for third place were a group of 5 players, which included first year assistant at the home club, Antony Buchanan who was playing in his first Devon PGA event. Antony hits the ball a country mile and looks like a good prospect for the future, further adding to the group of young up and coming Devon Assistants, who have turned pro over the last couple of years.

Also tied in third place on 1 under par 70 were Ashley Moon (Okehampton) whose short game he feels is still a little rusty, Nick Cook (Elfordleigh) who has been able to play a little bit more golf this month, after a busy summer season looking after his business. Stuart Barrett (Dartmouth) who is in the final year of his training to become a fully qualified PGA Pro and Devon PGA Captain, Iain Parker from Royal North Devon.

At the presentation in the clubhouse, Parker thanked everybody at the club for their hospitality and giving up their tee times to allow the medal to take place. He presented a cheque for £58 to the club captain to be used for their Junior development programme.
He also thanked home club professional Peter Laugher who is the chairman of the West Region PGA for providing course planners and pin placement sheets which all the competitors very much appreciated.