Blainey takes top billing at Reigate again

** L-r: Scott Patience, Gregg Blainey and Iain Pearson (PGA in England (South)

Despite a strong field, Gregg Blainey has won the nine-hole Reigate Heath Pro-Am yet again, repeating his result last year with a score of one-under-par 33.

In just its second year on The PGA in England (South) schedule, and supported this time by Savills, BMW Vines and Longball, the event attracted a host of stars including PGA Southern Open champion Andy Raitt (St. George’s Hill), low scoring David Osborn (West Hill) and European Senior Tour winner Bill Longmuir.

Yet the combination of fast greens and a heathland layout that examines both line and length was enough to keep the stars at bay, and left-hander Blainey (Billingbear Park) succeeded in taking home the £555 first prize, despite three-putting the last hole for a bogey four.

His one-under 33 edged out the even par scores of Bill Longmuir (The London), Ben St. John (Woodcote Park), local hero Lewis Parker and Longball Inc’s new representative, Guy Woodman.

Defending champion Blainey commented: “The greens were as good as anything I’ve played on this year.

“They were fast, firm and really smooth, and the pin placements were tough but fair, and everyone I spoke to agreed with those sentiments.

“The nine hole pro-am format combined with the nearest the pin challenge for each professional makes a really entertaining kind of golf event for everyone, and I’m looking forward to the next Reigate Heath Pro-Am in 2016!”

PGA Member and club manager Scott Patience added: “Reigate Heath’s showing the world of golf that ‘nine is fine’, even for pro-ams where the traditional format can be turned on its head and still prove very popular.

“As one of the competitors, I can say the whole course was a terrific experience, especially now the heather’s starting to bloom, and as ever it has proved it’s much tougher than it looks.

“The addition of our nearest the pin competition for the professionals certainly adds even more entertainment value, especially when it’s done from a tee in front of the clubhouse where the large gallery can watch each player as they fire away at a flag and green that’s just over 200 yards away downhill!

“We all thought that this time with some of the top southern pros the scoring would be lower, but it seems that this 120 year old nine hole layout with its heather and its superb greens can more than hold its own against any other course.”