Carter’s day

Gary Carter (Five Lakes) recorded the only under-par score at the Canons Brook pre-qualifier for the East Anglian Open.

Carter put together an impressive one-under tally of 72 to head a group of 30 players who secured a spot at Basildon for the Order of Merit tournament, which will take place on September 15-16.

Carter enjoyed smooth progress on a day when a light breeze accompanied sunny conditions. Moving to two-under just after the turn, it wasn’t until the 15th hole that he made his first bogey of the round.   

Paul Grotier (Essex G&CC) and Glyn Krause (Elton Furze) both played some fine golf in shooting level-par 73s.

Krause picked up five birdies and Grotier four. Indeed the pair would have finished tied with Carter if it weren’t for the fact that they both dropped a shot at the closing hole.

Robin Turley (Aldwickbury Park) compiled a tidy round of 74 to finish fourth and a shot back at two-over-par were in-form duo Jonathan Sharkey (Links, Newmarket) and Charlie Luther (Hertfordshire G&CC).

They have played consistently well through April’s pre-qualifying series, including at North Weald when sharing first place honours in making it through for the East Region Championship at Essendon.

Luther has also finished second in two other qualifiers for 2014 Order of Merit events.