Cunningham claims first pro success

It took 20-year-old Nick Cunningham less than two months from the start of his professional career to get his very first pro-am victory.

The former Bedfordshire county amateur admitted that it was “scrappy golf but a good 69” as he went round the Carthagena course at John O’Gaunt Golf Club in level-par. “I had four birdies but made too many mistakes,” he said.

Nevertheless the Bedford and County Golf Club assistant claimed some good scalps, including Mark Sturgess of Bourn Golf Club who led the chasing pack but was left one shot off the pace at the end of the day.

Four players shared third place with rounds of 71. They were Richard Beadles (Royal Worlington), Jason Boast (Cambridge Golf Driving Range), Glyn Krause (Elton Furze) and Neil Mitchell (Bury Golf Range).

Six more signed for 72 on an overcast but breezy day. They were Jamie LeBrun and Andrew George (both Ely City), Stuart Brown (Orton Meadows), Lee Marshall (Gog Magog), James Mynott (St Ives) and Frederick Meikle (Leighton Buzzard).

Dean Saunders (John O’Gaunt), Carl Schofield, Alex Fisher and Michael Rhodes won the team prize on count back from Meikle, Bryan Bateman, David Banwell and Phil Coumbe. They had 88 Stableford points which was 16 under par. The third placed team with 85 points was Boast and his amateurs.

Saunders said: “The course was in great condition and the greens were excellent so there were no excuses.”