Appleyard shines in Portugal

Sittingbourne Golf Centre’s Peter Appleyard mounted a successful defence of the Golf Escapes Algarve PGA South Overseas Pro-Am, shooting a nine-under-par 207 over three rounds to collect the winner’s cheque for £650.

After edging out Left Handed Golf at Silvermere’s Chris Gane by three strokes, a delighted Appleyard commented: “It’s a great way to end any season, and the PGA South Region combined with Golf Escapes’ Mike Bryant always lay on a terrific trip for us.”

He continued: “We were blessed with nice weather, and things really came together for me in the first round at Laranjal for that 62 - I got quite excited when I was nine-under through 11 holes! Their greens were the truest I’ve played on this year.”

“I then messed up big time on two holes at the fearsome Monte Rei, but it seemed to mess around with everyone else as well, so with a decent lead still intact, I went out to enjoy myself around the South course – as best as anyone can when Chris Gane’s right behind you! Thankfully my 70 was good enough.”

Having started the 2018 season back in the end of February with victory at the equivalent four round event at Morgado and Onyria Palmares, Appleyard managed to book end a seven win season with victory around Quinta do Lago’s Laranjal and South courses, and Monte Rei.

In the team event, West Hill’s David Callaway led his amateurs to victory and the top prize from terrific prize table laid on by Golf Escapes. Their winning score was -28, just one stroke in front of Adam Hickling’s team from Stoneham.