Cummings claims Burley victory

Thanks to a helping hand from across the Atlantic, Alton’s PGA Head Professional Ben Cummings shook off a nagging elbow injury to chalk up a six-under par 65 and claim victory in the Burley Pro-Am.

Cummings’ splendid score was enough to give him a two-stroke cushion over Jon Barnes with Christian Tyrrell and Gary Stubbington joint third. Cummings steered clear of his rivals with a brilliant burst of eagle, birdie, birdie at the eighth, ninth and 10^th holes on the New Forest course.

As the short-game coach at Golf Principles as well, it was a welcome return to form for Cummings who recently discovered he has moderate tendinopathy in his right elbow. He was advised by his doctor not to play for several weeks - and even then, only putting.

The injury stretches back to February 2015 when he suffered a micro tear after lifting a washing machine. However Cummings carried on playing by taking painkillers to manage the injury, but without success until he arrived at Burley.

His triumph came days after he was prompted by Golf Principles director Jason MacNiven to look at a video by USPGA coach Scott Hamilton who has his own Academy in Georgia.

With the aid of the Trackman swing analyser, Cummings was able to make adjustments and said: “I hit it lovely. The pain was not as severe as the swing became left-arm dominant.”

“I took what I learned into Burley and it was so pleasing to have such a good round as I have really struggled recently. Even just hitting balls was difficult.”

Cummings, who is also scheduled to play in the Petersfield Pro-Am, added: “I am due to have surgery on the elbow in six weeks but now I may hold off until October.”