Carter takes Titleist-Footjoy crown

Dan Carter completed his best season since turning professional eight years ago by winning the Titleist-Footjoy Young Professionals Order of Merit for the first time.

Although the Upavon assistant (left) finished seventh in the final outing at Woodbury Park, he moved ahead of Thornbury Golf Centre’s Jason Fallon to claim the trophy that is now on display in the pro shop at the Wiltshire club.

Carter, 26, is delighted to have finished just ahead of his best pal Barry Forster (North Wilts) who was his partner when they won the Fourball Championship at Teign Valley. They started golf at Tidworth together. 

Rhys Davies (Cardiff) was third, Fallow held on to fourth despite only sharing 20th on the last day with Jack Wallace (Thurlestone) claiming fifth place. They all win Titleist contracts next year. 

Carter, who also won his first pro-am with a career low round of eight-under-par 62 at West Wilts and a Titleist-Footjoy League at Radyr, said: “This has been my best season and winning this trophy is the most notable achievement since I turned professional.

“When I play well I’m very good, but I also shot some very high scores.

I can’t put my thumb on my inconsistency. I hope this win will give me confidence to improve even more next season.”

James Pickard (Honiton) won the Woodbury leg with a sparkling seven-under-par 65. “I have played the last 54 holes without dropping a shot,” he said after picking up seven birdies in the first 14 holes. 

Adam Frayne (Yelverton) and Ben Martin (Exeter) were just one shot back on another good day for scoring at the regional headquarters. Frayne made five birdies an eagle and one bogey. Left hander Martin was heading for his first win after making an eagle and seven birdies, but his downfall was the 17th where an errant drive cost him two shots.

Matt Lockey (East Devon) and amateur M Coles carded 46 points to win the betterball on countback from Pickard and G Browne with Welshman Tom Bowen and J Rees one shot behind, beating four other pairs on countback.