Course record for Hendriksen at West Wilts

Paul Hendriksen had never seen the West Wilts golf course at Warminster but still managed to post a new course record in the club’s annual pro-am.

The Dinnaton manager-professional, for whom victory marked three win on the bounce after ties for first at Exeter and Oake Manor, swept round the hill-top course in nine-under-par 60 to win by four shots from earlier starters Richard Dinsdale (Parc Golf Academy), Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) and Lee Thompson (Dudsbury).

The 35-year-old former Welsh amateur international made ten birdies and seven pars on the 5,790-yard course. He was even able to drop a shot at the 174-yard fourth hole on his way to the new record after carding eight fours, eight threes and two twos.

The course invariably concedes birdies. Watson continued nine, Thompson eight and Dinsdale six.

Former PGA in England and Wales (South West) champion and chairman Graham Laing (North Wilts) recorded his best round of the season to take fifth place on 64, helped by an eagle two at the 380-yard final hole.

Home assistant Iain Ferrie, who seldom plays these days, and in-form Welshman Richard Brookman (Creigiau), shared sixth.

Watson’s Collis Motors team of Matt Colliss, Sean Colliss and Jody Edwards won the team award with 19-under-par 119. They finished one shot clear of Alistair Tresidder’s Sherborne trio of Andy Owen, Jack Crockett and Jo Terry with Hendriksen’s Cifer group of Mike Rice, Dave Stockley and Rich Henry a further shot back in third.