Coles burning brightly ahead of Saunton showdown

In-form Rob Coles (Maylands) is tuning up nicely for the PGA Play-Offs at the Devon links of Saunton Golf Club next week.

Fresh from topping the PGA in England (East) Order of Merit, sponsored by Weston Homes plc, the 44 year old landed his third Beko Pro-Am title in Turkey – beating two-time major champion John Daly in the process.

Coles, who will be competing in the Play-Offs from October 24-27, is determined to improve on his last visit to Saunton, almost quarter of a century ago.

He said: “I played there in the English Amateur. I reckon I was about 20 and didn’t do well!

“As I recall, I got my backside whipped by someone early on! So I’m looking to do a little bit better than I did then.

“But I do remember it being lovely and I’m looking forward to going back.”

He will be joined in the 72-hole showdown in Devon by fellow East region PGA Professionals Ian Campbell (Cheshunt Park) and James Webber (Three Rivers). It will be the first time that any of the trio have made the Play-Offs.

Coles said: “I’m very much looking forward to trying to get something out of that week.”

The 24 strong field will be competing for a number of European and Challenge Tour starts with the top 10 winning a place in next year’s BMW PGA Championship.

An added incentive for the leading three is an automatic spot in the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team to face the United States at Foxhills Club & Resort next September.

Romford-based Coles, who was a regular on the European Tour for many years, earned his spot at the Play-Offs with a brilliant three-shot victory in the final Order of Merit tournament – the East Anglian Open @ The Rayleigh Club.

He climbed from third to first in the rankings after rounds of 67 and 68 to finish at seven under.

Coles said: “At the start of the week that was what I wanted to do – to get to the Play-Offs. Winning was an absolute bonus.”