Bickerton makes a fine West debut at Enmore
05/08/2014
John Bickerton, who won three European Tour titles and earned over €5m during 16 years as a European Tour regular, made a promising appearance in the Tee Up 4 Tots Pro-Am at Enmore Park, supported by Still Materials and Handling.
The Exmoor resident, who works in the pro’s shop at Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club after being forced to quit through injury, has played in the Gloucester and Somerset PGA but made his debut in the PGA of England and Wales South West.
The Midlander has had 19 operations on his right arm after suffering from by wrist and elbow injuries in 2010 and 2011. He still manages to play 18 holes occasionally and was delighted to take a team to support the charity event organised by regional secretary Glenn Ross and captain Andrew March (Brean).
And his form was impressive as well. He carded three-under-par 68 with five birdies to share third place with Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury).
But the day belonged initially to Ross Langdon (South Cerney) who returned five-under 66 with the only flawless round with birdies at the fourth, sixth, ninth, 16th and 18th.
But he was later caught by Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) who birdied six of the last 12 holes after dropping his only shot on the fifth.
Joe Ferguson (Celtic Manor) and James Ruth (China Fleet) followed on 70 while Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest), Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) and Andy Beal (Salisbury & South Wilts) shared seventh on level par 71.
Howell’s Dorset trio Tim Norman, Steve Sanger and Chris Brown claimed the team prize on 18-under-par 124 with Thompson leading the Coleman's group of Stuart Coleman, Phil Coleman and Paul Coleman into second on 128, beating home touring pro David Dixon’s Terence Ball Kitchens team of James Symons, Jon Ball and Mark Popham on countback.
The day ended with trick show specialists Paul Barrington and David Haines entertaining the players and Enmore members from the first tee.
March said: “It was a fun day that went very well and the weather was kind. Glenn and I are grateful for the support from the players and we look likely to reach our season’s target of raising £10,000 for our two charities.”
March is supporting the Cleft Lip and Palate Association as his son Logan was born with a cleft lip and palate. Ross is backing the Somerset Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as his son Harry James spent weeks at based at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton after being born prematurely.
