Barham takes Henley crown

Benn Barham (PGolfCoaching@Pedham) shot a six-under-par 64 to take the top prize of £3,000 at the Henley Pro-Am, supported by Westcoast.

The PGA Cup player's performance at Henley came on the back of a remarkable round in the Stoneham Pro-Am where he chased the leader’s ten-under-par 62 with a seven-under-par back nine to take the runner’s up spot.

To make his result even more impressive, he’d never played Henley before, and local knowledge is an advantage.

“While I had never played Henley before the prize fund was quite an incentive and I had a great team of local members to play with and give me some idea of the way to get round the course,” said Barham.

Barham did a lot more than get round the course. Starting in the afternoon and two-under-par at the turn despite bogeying the fifth, Barham then birdied the 10^th and eagled the 14^th to get to five-under-par.

Pars followed at the next three holes, and then he pulled one more birdie out of the hat at the final hole to finish with a winning 64.

Winning at Henley means that to date Barham’s now snapping at Chris Gane’s (Lefthandedgolf@Silvermere) heels for top place on the money list, with Jamie Harris (Nevill) close behind in third spot.

In second spot for a cheque of £2,000, the five-under-par 65 of Daniel Seymour (Caversham Heath) was all down to his last nine, shooting two birdies and two eagles including one at the 18^th to restore his fortunes having been one-over-par after the 11^th. In third place Scott Stevens’s (Staplehurst) last hole eagle put him on 66 to take home £1,000.

Barham added:  “For my first experience of what’s on offer at Henley, I’d say it sets the benchmark for a Pro-Am. There’s a terrific prize fund, I had a great team, and Henley head PGA Professional, Mark Howell, deserves a lot of credit for all the work he does with the Pro-Am committee - there aren’t many Pro-Ams with a grandstand at the 18^th green, a calypso band and a hot air ballon!

“I’m really enjoying me season so far and I’m looking forward to playing the rest of the season on some more really good courses. It’s worth saying that all the clubs we play at in The PGA in England (South)’s schedule make a huge effort to get their courses in terrific condition, and it all adds to our enjoying what we do as golf professionals.”