Broadhurst blitz nets California title

Former Ryder Cup star Paul Broadhurst fired a sparkling 62 at PGA West’s TPC Stadium Course on the way to winning the California Classic Pro-Am.

The Northants County attached pro romped to a 25 under par total in the Pro-Am Tour event which is contested over four of Palm Springs’ finest desert resorts.

Victory in California completed a highly successful and memorable year for Broadhurst having secured his first Major victory in the Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie, and then following it up with victory on the Champions Tour at the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, also in California.

In his latest outing, Broadhurst posted rounds of 68, 62, 66 and 67 on route to a 13 shot victory over St George’s Hills Andy Raitt.

The four rounds were played over SilverRock, PGA West and The Classic Club, all US Tour venues, along with The Players Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort.

Raitt took the early lead in perfect sunny conditions with a fine five under par 67 at SilverRock to lead by a shot from Broadhurst but that proved shortlived following the latter’s explosive golf in round two at PGA West.

This was the course controversially dubbed too tough for the professionals back in 1987 when Pete Dye's infamous TPC Stadium Course hosted the PGA Tour's Bob Hope Chrysler Classic for the first time.

However, nearly 30 years later, and playing from the blue tees Broadhurst's laid waste to the Dye design with eight birdies and an eagle.

Broadhurst then took route 66 at the Classic Club to extend his advantage over a host of Pro-Am Tour regulars with a steady final round 67 at Indian Wells wrapping up an emphatic and record Pro-Am Tour victory.

It capped a good couple of weeks for former Ryder Cup stars with Broadhurst’s friend and former Ryder Cupper Peter Baker winning the previous week on The Pro-Am Tour in Arizona.

Raitt finished second and former South Region No. 1 James Ablett grabbed third after shooting a best of the day 64 in the final round at Indian Wells.  Former European Tour player Benn Barham was fourth.

Winning Team (left – right) Paul Broadhurst, Mike Morris, Phil Smith & Alan Kennedy.

In the team event, perhaps not surprisingly, Broadhurst’s team of Alan Kennedy, Mike Morris and Philip Smith were able to hold on to win although only by four shots. Ablett's team finished second, and Darren Prosser's team third.

In addition to the Pro-Am, Welcome Challenge Day was held at the Celebrity Course at Indian Wells and was won again by Broadhurst with 41 points.  Rob McGuirk from Prince’s Golf Club was a point back in second place.

The awards presentation was held outdoors under the stars at The Hyatt Regency Resort Indian Wells where Broadhurst, on behalf of the PGA Professionals, thanked all the amateur players for supporting The Pro-Am Tour events.

The California Classic is just one of a series of high quality Pro-Am Tour events organised by The American Golf Holiday, others include The Arizona Classic Pro-Am, The Scottsdale Classic Pro-Am, The Las Vegas Classic Pro-Am, The Pinehurst Classic Pro-Am, The Sawgrass Classic Pro-Am, and The Pro-Am Tour at Pebble Beach. Further information is available at www.pro-amtour.com or contact John Hooper at Tel. 023 8046 5885