Barham makes it two on the trot

Just four days after his win at Deal, Benn Barham (King’s Hill) has notched up his second victory. The Kent ace (above) shot a terrific three-under-par 68 around The London GC’s International course to win the penultimate event of the 2013-2014 Winter Series with Titleist & FootJoy.

Despite strong winds, constant drizzle and some heavy rain, Barham’s weather-proof performance was too hot for runners up Christopher Rodgers (Drift) and Paul Nessling (Cooden Beach), who carded fine 69s. The Titleist & FootJoy’s ball, glove and shoe contract went to Nessling as the leading Assistant after a card play-off.

Barham’s win pushed him into second place overall in the 2013-2014 Winter Series with Titleist & FootJoy, but with one event to go, the Titleist & FootJoy Assistants and Trainees BetterBall Pro-Am at Farnham on April 16th, rookie Mark Hillson (Tandridge) is still on top with victories at Hankley Common, Prince’s and Swinley Forest.

Commenting on the venue that will see the Volvo World Matchplay Championship being played in October, Barham said, “London’s International course was in fantastic condition with greens around 10 to 11 on the stimp. I’ve been fortunate to play here a lot, and it’s a superb inland course that’s always in top nick.”

Barham made the perfect start with a two putt birdie on the first, finding another when he holed a 10 footer at the sixth. Reaching the turn in one-under par after bogeying the ninth, Barham birdied the 10th, explaining, “I tell my students that after a dropped shot, the best way to make yourself feel better is to try and birdie the next hole.”

Barham proved that again after bogeying the 13th when his over-aggressive drive found a bush. Although he had to wait a hole, he made two birdies on the trot at the 15th and 16th, finishing on 68. “I putted really well today, the best for a while” he said, “and made a number of ten and 20 foot putts.”

Asked about the PGA Kent Open presented by Vision4Sport at Prince’s at the end of the month, he continued, “I’ll carry on taking one event at a time. I’ve a good routine, working with a Trackman device to help me get the clubface square. It’s low maintenance golf, and 30 minutes is all I need to get in the right shape before teeing off. Prince’s is one of my favourite venues, but hopefully the weather will be rather better than today!”