Bell looking to soar in Powerade final

Grimsby golf pro Adam Bell is en route to the prestigious Powerade PGA Assistants’ Championship final for a second time after securing the most unlikely of eagles at Pype Hayes.                               

The 24-year-old Laceby Manor assistant PGA Professional looked to have frozen under the pressure of the midland qualifying event after hitting a duff tee shot that rolled a mere 20 yards down the fairway.

Yet just minutes later he was celebrating after sinking a magnificent 220-yard approach shot to finish the par-five for three and leave himself and his watching family stunned.

“I hit my shot and then walked towards the green and started to look for my ball,” he said. “It must have been about five minutes before I realised it was actually just sat there in the hole!

“I couldn’t believe it, it was the perfect start to my round. It just lifted me and definitely made me think that it could be my day.”

Bell’s reward is a place in the £32,500 FootJoy-supported Coventry showpiece on June 11-13, where £5000 will be on offer for the winner as well as Glenmuir clothing, a further £1000 from Powerade and entry to the PGA of Australia’s Aussie Futures event.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Bell explained. “Hopefully I can make the cut and take it from there.

“I played a couple of years ago, but to be honest it wasn’t the best I’ve ever done.

“I think to start with I underestimated just how good the competition would be, and then with all the live scoring and everything else I got a bit overwhelmed.

“But I learned so much from it. My game has really improved because of that event. I keep myself under control better now and I feel I’m in a much better position to go to Coventry this time and do well.”

Laceby Manor has proved to be the perfect place for Bell to learn his trade, having taken up the assistant position while he completes The PGA’s foundation degree programme.

The club, which is located just outside Grimsby, has been undergoing a rapid transformation under the backing of a forward-thinking new owner and his PGA Professional Jason Abrams.

“It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind,” Bell admitted. “I’m really glad to have been part of the club while things have been developing so quickly.

“There’s been a massive refurbishment with a new restaurant and they’ve been trying hard to get as many people to want to come and visit.

“I spend a lot of time in the shop and coaching, but the owner is very keen for me to get out and play as much as I can too.

“He wants me to represent the club at as many events as I can and hopefully I can repay that by qualifying for as many big tournaments as possible.”

Luke Young, national and key account manager for Coca-Cola Enterprises, whose products include Powerade, said: “We are delighted to once again support this prestigious tournament which will culminate with a final at Coventry Golf Club in June.

“It is an event which has a long history of showcasing outstanding golf from some of the country’s best young players, and I look forward to watching what will undoubtedly be another exciting Championship this year.”

The other golfers playing in the final from the midland region include: Christopher Evans (Wishaw), Rhys Long (the Belfry) and Jon Handyside (Priors Hall)