Appleyard and Green clean up in Andalucia

Kent duo Peter Appleyard (Redlibbets) and David Green (Wildernesse) took the spoils in the two PGA South Golf Escapes Andalucia Overseas Pro-Ams.

The 54-hole pro-ams were played at three of Spain’s best courses - La Reserva, Finca Cortesin and Ryder Cup venue Valderrama.

Appleyard dominated the first, shooting a level par 72 at La Reserva which took him into a five shot lead.

He extended that with a one-under-par 70 at Valderrama, including a memorable birdie four at the famous 17th. Despite a disappointing last round at Finca Cortesin, Appleyard still managed to fend off hard charging David Callaway (Foxhills) by one shot.

Appleyard’s three rounds totalled 219 with Callaway coming very close with 220 for second place. Appleyard’s Redlibbets’ colleague Phil Beever took third spot on 226. Callaway made up for his one shot disappointment by leading his three amateurs to a countback victory over Appleyard’s in the team event.

In the second week’s pro-am it was PGA in Kent captain, Green, who got away to a great start, scoring a one-under-par 71 around La Reserva to lead by six.

His 75 around Valderrama was still good enough to maintain his lead by five, and his one-over-par 73 around Finca Cortesin was the best score by one shot, so Green’s three round total of 219 took the top prize by six strokes.

In second spot was Julian Reason (Hilden Park) with 225, and although he couldn’t find the same form and shot 235 second time around, Appleyard still managed third place. Both he and Green also led their amateurs to a tie in the team event, each scoring 414 to win by a mile although Appleyard’s team won on the countback.

The feelings of all the players was summed up by Green when he said: “These three courses are simply three of the best in Spain, and to play the world class Ryder Cup and European Tour venue Valderrama is a rare privilege. Peter’s 70 round there was fantastic.

“Golf Escapes laid on another terrific couple of pro-ams for  all of us, and the 5-star hotel Elba Estepona was the height of luxury and really looked after us so well.

“Despite it being November, even the weather was so much better than back in the UK, so we’re all very much looking forward to coming out here again with our amateur teams, and playing these brilliant courses.”

Eyes now focus on the next PGA South winter Pro-Am, with the Golf Escapes El Rompido PGA Pro-Am in Spain in February (22-25).

Further information and bookings can be made through Mike Bryant at Golf Escapes on mike@golf-escapes.com or call 01342 811777 to reserve your place.