Another triumph for Turner

Matt Turner landed back-to-back wins in his first season as a PGA trainee with a two-shot victory in the pre-tournament West Region PGA Championship pro-am at The Players Club, near Bristol.

After sharing top spot with former European Tour star John Bickerton at Tiverton, the Oake Manor player carded five-under-par 67 to relegate another promising newcomer Luke Derrick (Filton) into second place.

Marston’s Order of Merit champion Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) and Mark Searle (High Post) followed on 70. Former PGA champion Scott Drummond and Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) were the only other players to better par on 71.

Left-hander Turner, who signed up this year after working in the club shop, dropped a shot on the opening hole but followed with two birdies on the front nine and five on the way home.

Derrick, who was also runner-up in the pro-am before the Players Championship at Cumberwell Park, has been steadily improving in his first season. Four birdies were countered by one dropped shot.

Cumberwell Park assistant Luke Ayrton, another newcomer, led the winning team of his club manager and Wiltshire county captain Ali James, Charlie James and Andrew Kelly on15-under-par 87.

Mansell with Dave Glew, Wayne Black and Bill Powell were a shot behind in second. Chris Gill (Newquay) and his team of Jon Brierley, Jo Edwards and Shaun Allen were third on countback.

Two other teams shared the same score. Turner’s trio included former West Region secretary Glenn Ross, now playing at Minehead, and major sponsor Neil Mossman (Oake Manor). Gareth Bennett’s (Cottrell Park) team came fifth.