Channels tunes in to clinch place in Turkey final

Channels Golf Club made it to the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge final in Turkey as Jason Levermore kept up his impressive run of form.

Captain Neil Hutchinson teamed up with PGA Professional Levermore and the Essex pairing recorded a seven-under-par round of 62 to win on countback.

They tied at the top of the leaderboard with Royal Ascot Golf Club’s Alistair White and Anthea Winn.

But the Chelmsford club took the honours thanks to a better back nine which saw them make five birdies.

Hutchinson (right)  and Levermore (left) will now go to the £25,000 final supported by Canopius, played over the PGA Sultan course at Antalya Golf Club, Turkey, on November 26 and 27.

It rounded off a superb month for Levermore who was taking part in the event for the first time.

Levermore, who completed his PGA training at Clacton Golf Club under his father Stuart, joined Channels in May of last year.

“It’s tremendous to have someone of Jason’s ability at the club, it really has lifted the place,” said Chelmsford-based Hutchinson, 53, who plays off a handicap of 12.

“We went out in the rain and some players don’t like it, but coming from Wales originally I was used to it!”

Levermore finished second in the PGA Professional Championship at Blairgowrie earlier this month.

And he will also be playing in the PGA Play-Offs at the same venue in Turkey - an event which directly follows the Pro-Captain Challenge.

Levermore also finished seventh in the PGA Fourball Championship last week - an event which allowed his year to fall into place perfectly.

“I played in the Fourball final at St Mellion which meant I couldn’t play in the East qualifier for this event,” he explained.

“So we played at Addington instead and won it which means I combine it with the PGA Play-Offs.

“During the round I was thinking how good that would be if it could work out like that and it did.”

Levermore and Hutchinson had to endure a two-hour rain delay at the south London venue - but it did not affect them.

“We went out in two-under and finished well to win on countback,” said Levermore.

“I said to ‘Hutch’ that we probably needed to make seven-under to stand a chance of winning and he made a nett birdie at the 18th hole to get us there, so he played well.”

Levermore is relishing his first Pro-Captain final.

“It’s the first time I’ve entered after moving to Channels and I’m delighted to get to the final,” he said.

“I’ll be heading out there with ‘Hutch’ and he’s staying on for the Play-Offs.”