Ace helps Clark win first pro-am

Daniel Clark aced one of the toughest holes in the Highcliffe Castle Centenary Pro-Am to earn a share of top place for the first time in a regional event.

The professional at Playgolf, Bournemouth, sunk his tee-shot at the 242-yards 12th hole on his way to a two-under-par 62 in the first pro-am held over the 4,798-yard course.

The club captain John Saunders acknowledged his achievement by handing him a bottle of champagne at the presentation. He could have won outright as he was three-under-par standing on the 16th tee. But he made bogey, followed with a birdie but then dropped another shot at the last.

So he joined the phenomenal Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) and Paul Jones (Canford Magna) at the top.  Watson’s fourth win in eight days took his winnings for the period to £2,430. He signed for 11 threes and dropped one shot at the 14th.

Jones, another player in form, relinquished shots at the second, 10th and 15th but responded with six threes and three twos.

Just to prove that even the shortest of courses pose many problems, fourth place was shared by James Wilson (Dudsbury), Russell Berry (RB Golf Range) and Danny White (Players Club) on one-over 65, three shots behind the winners.

Former Thurlestone pro Anthony Buchanan (Tower Links) led Tom Riley, Alex Kerr and Simon Watson to success in the team section on 114 followed on 115 by Wilson-led Paul Gough, Keith Gough and Paul Bondvve with Clark taking third spot on 118 helped by Peter Brickell, Bob Ashley and Mike Jordan.