Davis dominates in anniversary pro-am
25/07/2013
Chase Davis led from start to finish in the Canons Brook 50th anniversary pro-am, carding an impressive five birdies on his way to victory.
The Stapleford Abbotts pro was one of the early starters on the parkland course, and held his place at the top of the leaderboard as other challengers wilted in the heat, unable to match his three-under-par round of 70.
Joint runners-up at one-under-par were James Gurry (GurryGolf.com) and Phil Abbott of John O’Gaunt who was one of The PGA in England (East) region’s three qualifiers for the PGA Play-Offs in Turkey last year.
James Johnstone (Manor of Groves), Paul Hetherington (Great Hadham Golf and Country Club) and Mark Stokes (Rayleigh Golf Range) shared fourth place on level par.
Tyler Wink, the first year assistant at Canons Brook, had a round of 74 to finish joint seventh with Matt Stables, who took over a head professional at North Weald Golf Club this year.
The only eagle of the day from a pro came from host head professional Mark Smith on the 484-yard par five 15th hole.
Smith knows the Canons Brook course well, he was assistant professional at the Harlow-based club from March 1997 to October 2008 and returned to Canons Brook as head professional in November 2010.
He said: “My eagle came after a drove a three-wood into the rough and I was blocked out by couple of small trees. I put a six-iron over the top of them and then chipped in when 40 yard off the green with the pin 25 yard on.
“The course held up very well after the thunderstorms of the previous day and I think everyone enjoyed it.”
There was keen competition for the team prizes. The winners were Johnstone with Darren Pegram, Dan Nevill and Steve Patten with 14 under par 132 on count back from Mark Talbott (Thorpe Hall) with Tom Almond, Dave Almond and Terry Johnson.
Third place was also settled on count back between the three teams finishing on 13 under par. Stokes, Elaine Cochrane, Sonia Baterip and Sue Bright beat teams that included Canons Brook’s Wink and Smith.
