Chesterman seizes 11th-hour opportunity

Oliver Chesterman (Highgate) secured a slender success in the Middlesex Pros’ Championship at Sudbury.

Chesterman received a late call-up for the tournament after fellow Highgate golfer Ben White sustained an 11th-hour back problem.

And he made the most of the opportunity, firing a level-par round of 70 to win by a shot from Luke Goddard (Hendon) and Crue Elliott (Pinner Hill).

Chesterman was level par to the turn, recording a birdie and a bogey. His back nine was more of a rollercoaster ride – especially the stretch through holes 12 to 17.

He didn’t record a single par through those six holes, trading in birdies and bogies. Back-to-back dropped shots at 15 and 16 appeared to have weakened his push for the title, but a three on the par-4 17th moved him back into pole position.

That just left the closing short hole to contend with and Chesterman duly made his par to reach the clubhouse level for his round.

Elliott had an opportunity to force a play-off but his eight-foot birdie putt on the final green grazed the cup.

Home pro James Wood was two-under early in his round before dropping shots to end up at two-over and in a tie for fourth spot alongside Ricky Willison.

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