Dawe is aiming to make his mark

Hamptworth’s Mark Dawe is thrilled at the prospect of playing in the Titleist & Footjoy PGA Professional Championship next week at The Oxfordshire after returning to the winners’ enclosure, writes Ken Gaunt.

Dawe heads for the 72-hole showpiece tournament with quiet confidence following victory in his last outing, The PGA in Hampshire’s Gosport and Stokes Bay Pro-Am. He posted a three-under par 68 at to deny southern star James Ablett another top prize as he finished second, two shots adrift.

Dawe, now PGA Head Professional at Hamptworth on the edge of the New Forest after leaving Chilworth recently, said: “It has been a mixed bag this season on The PGA in Hampshire circuit.

“I started well but then had a dip in middle, so I was delighted to get back to winning ways.  It is a good sign heading for the championship.”

Dawe qualified from Woodcote Park alongside his county colleagues, namely captain Chris Tyrrell (New Forest) and Chris Hudson (Southwood). With a prize fund of £78,000 where the winner takes £10,000, you’d have that would normally be incentive enough for the 144 players taking part.

However there are extra perks with the top two securing places in the prestigious PGA Play-Offs in Turkey. A points system is also in place which will decide the Great Britain and Ireland team to face the United States in the PGA Cup.

Dawe said: “I am very excited to be honest, as I just missed out last season. There is so much to play for. Physically it will be pretty demanding but I have a friend who is caddying for me and that’s a big help. My aim is to make the cut.”