Bullen claims Ham Manor title

The new PGA Southern Professional champion, Rustington Golf Centre’s Michael Bullen, notched his third victory in September, winning the Ham Manor Pro-Am with a cracking three-under-par 67.

Bullen commented: “I’m enjoying some really good form, and I was delighted to stay in the winning groove at Ham Manor. The new 18th with the greenside lake in front of the clubhouse certainly increases the pressure, and I was very happy to walk off with a par for my 67!”

Picking up the £600 winner’s cheque, Bullen is enjoying his late season rich pickings. He won the West Hove Pro-Am towards the end of August, then two weeks later the CK Group PGA Southern Professional Championship and now as September closes, the Ham Manor Pro-Am as well.

Bullen edged out the 68 of Purley Downs’s Matt Rice, and James Ford from Robert Rock Academy took third spot on one-under as the last of the trio of players to break par on the Ham Manor course.

Bullen’s opening nine mixed birdies with bogeys to turn in one-under-par. Birdies followed at the 10th and the 13th and he bounced back from a bogey at the 15th by birdying the 16th. He parred the closing holes, including Ham Manor’s new 18th and its potentially card wrecking new greenside lake, to take pole position.

Bullen’s winning day got even better when he led his amateur partners including world No. 4 blind golfer and Ham Manor member Andy Gilford, to victory in the team event as well, pipping the teams led by Ham Manor’s own Harry Worner and Cottesmore’s Calum Callan by one point.

The new lake featured in a Pros’ Shoot Out as well, won by Willingdon’s James Doswell from a distance of 61 yards from a mat in the car park over the lake to the flag on the 18th green! James was closest with three feet 10 inches and won £100 and a bottle of champagne.