THE PGA INVITATIONAL
South Staffordshire Golf Club staged its third PGA Midland Order of Merit Tournament – The Invitational, at the Club’s Danescourt Road course from 4th to 6th June and was rewarded with three days of excellent weather and golf.
The format of the Invitational, sponsored by CH Properties and Advanced IT, is played over 3 days with the first two days of Pro-Am better ball play leading to a cut for the top 25 professionals making it through to the final day.
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South Staffs Men’s Captain John Gough presents the Invitational Trophy to Paul Wesselingh. |
The professional event was won by Paul Wesselingh, at 46 quite the veteran in the field, carded a final round 68 to finish at 8 under par two shots ahead of Kettering Pro Simon Lilly and three shots clear of Steve Carter (South Staffs) and James Crompton (Kenilworth).
Lilly had held the edge in the final round, but dropped shots at the 12th and 15th cost him dear. Wesselingh, the PGA Midland Captain from Kedleston Park, held his nerve over the closing holes to clinch the title and a cheque for £1,750 with a 205 total.
”It is definitely one for the old timers,” he said afterwards. “It is a real confidence boost for me because I was beginning to have doubts whether or not I still had it. I have had a bit of a lean time for the past two years since winning the Club Pros Championship in 2006 and have not been firing on all cylinders. It was getting to desperation point with scores in the mid-70s to even 80s but I have been working hard in the gym lately and was solid in the first two days.”
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Amateur winner Ian Cole is flanked by (from left to right) Paul Wesselingh, PGA Midland Captain;
John Gough, South Staffs Men’s Captain;
Helen Gough, South Staffs Club Captain;
Ian Cole; Jon Sewell, PGA Midland Secretary;
Steve Carter, South Staffs Professional. |
For South Staffs Pro Steve Carter, it was double delight; besides claiming third place for the second successive year Carter also won the Pro-Am event along with his amateur partner Ian Cole with an 18 under par score, which included a hole-in-one from Carter on the second hole on day two.
Carter had nothing but praise for the condition of the course, prepared by Course Manager Rhys Thomas, he said afterwards. “The course was the best it’s ever been and many of the professionals have been very complimentary, it has to be one of the best in the Midlands.”
South Staffs Teaching professional Shaun Ball finished equal 17th at one over par.
PGA Invitational Leaderboard: 205 (-8) Paul Wesselingh (Kedleston Park GC); 207 (-5) Simon Lilly (Kettering GC); 208 (-5) Steve Carter (South Staffs GC); James Crompton (Kenilworth GC); 209 (-4) Nevil Bland (Brocton Hall GC); Mathew Morris (Bromsgrove GC); Scott Emery (Blankney GC).
Pro-Am Leaderboard: 124 (-18) Steve Carter (South Staffs GC) & Ian Cole; 127 (-15) Paul Streeter (Southwell GC) & Dave Dunne; 129 (-13) Kevin Hinton (Shifnal GC) & Chris Williams.
SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE CLUB TO HOST BOYS INTERNATIONAL
The English Golf Union are pleased to announce that The South Staffordshire Golf Club has graciously agreed to be the host club for the boys under 16 international between England and Scotland in 2008.
The annual ten-a-side match, which is staged alternately in England and Scotland, will take place on 5th October 2008.
The South Staffordshire club, situated three miles west of Wolverhampton, is one of the best in the county and is a host club for county and regional matches and competitions.
Its current Director of Golf is Peter Baker, twice a former England boy champion and Brabazon Trophy winner. He went on to play in Walker and Ryder Cups and was Vice Captain for the 2006 European Ryder Cup team.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Lynne Fraser, EGU Marketing and PR Manager
Email: lfraser@englishgolfunion.org
Tel: 01526 354500
