Baker bags Hadley Wood prize

Mark Baker (Colchester GC) fired a fine four-under-par 68 to claim victory in the Hadley Wood Pro-Am.

Baker carded six birdies to pip morning starter Ian Ellis (Gt Yarmouth & Caister) by a shot. A further two strokes back after shooting 71s were Glen Portelli (Verulam) and Matthew Stables (North Weald).

It was Baker’s first win of the season on the PGA in England (East) circuit and followed some promising results.

He was tied-third at Mill Green and also recorded another top-10 finish at Nazeing, a week before his Hadley Wood triumph.

Starting at the ninth hole, he picked up four birdies on his outward nine. He gained another shot against the card at his 11^th before a slip-up with three holes remaining.

However, he bounced back with a fine birdie two at his penultimate hole and that would ultimately prove sufficient to edge him home by a stroke from the consistent Ellis.

It was the Norfolk golfer’s second runner-up finish inside the space of 48 hours after finding only Mark Hooper (The Rayleigh Club) too good at Girton.

From five pro-am starts on the PGA in England (East) 2014 schedule, Ellis has also twice finished first. This round of 68 was flawless as he made 15 pars and three birdies.

Portelli headed the winning team, who registered a 128 total to end up three clear.