Dan’s the man at West Wilts

Upavon assistant Dan Carter won his first pro-am with a career low round of eight-under-par 62 at West Wilts, helped by an adjustment to his grip.

He said: “I made the little change and it immediately felt better as my score shows. I hit the ball really well and didn’t make any mistakes.”

It was a breath-taking round as he signed for 11 threes – seven on the front nine and four coming home – and also birdied two of the three par fives.

Carter won a Titleist-Footjoy League at Radyr two weeks earlier and is second in the Order of Merit with one event to play at Woodbury Park.

He and Barrie Forster (North Wilts) also won the Fourball Championship at Teign Valley.

Russell Berry (RB Range, Coleford) stepped in at the last minute to replace Sion Bebb (Vale Hotel) who was called in late to play in the Welsh Open at Celtic manor. He finished a shot behind as runner up, making nine birdies and dropping two shots.

Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest) also played flawlessly, making four birdies in 66 to claim fourth, one better than former Mendip pro John Goymer who made his move late with three birdies and an eagle over the closing six holes.

Gary Sawyer (Valentine Golf), Michael Watson (Wessex) and Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) shared fifth on 68.

Berry completed a successful day by leading the winning team of Eamonn Dunn, Charlie Dunn and Scott Jeffery on 22-under-par 118. Marion Titt’s ace at the fourth hole helped Carter, Geoff Titt and David Lewis finish second on 119, followed by Sawyer, Colin Brown, Peter Doust and Will Doust on 123.